Project Buyer - Data Center

Position Summary

Responsible for embedded, onsite procurement support for large-scale data center construction projects, executing purchasing activities from project demand through delivery while maintaining Hays procurement standards, approved sourcing strategies and system controls. Serves as the day-to-day procurement liaison between field/project leadership, corporate Purchasing and Sourcing, suppliers, and onsite Logistics to ensure materials are procured, expedited, coordinated and available at the point of need to support the construction schedule.

Key Responsibilities

• Act as the dedicated onsite procurement point of contact for assigned data center project(s), partnering closely with Project Managers, Project Executives, Superintendents, Project Engineers, field leadership and Logistics.
• Translate project schedules, look-ahead plans, field requirements and changing priorities into timely procurement actions and material delivery plans.
• Execute purchase orders using approved suppliers, negotiated agreements and established sourcing strategies; coordinate with corporate Sourcing for competitive events, major buys and commercial negotiations as appropriate.
• Manage the complete purchase order lifecycle from requisition review and PO placement through acknowledgment, expediting, delivery, receipt and issue resolution.
• Maintain forward-looking visibility of critical material requirements, open commitments, lead times, delivery dates, shortages and procurement risks that could affect the project schedule.
• Proactively expedite critical-path and long-lead materials and develop recovery or mitigation plans when supplier performance, availability or logistics issues threaten project milestones.
• Coordinate delivery timing and sequencing with suppliers, project teams, onsite Logistics, warehouse/laydown areas and receiving personnel to align material arrival with installation needs and site constraints.
• Resolve incorrect, damaged, short, late or otherwise nonconforming deliveries quickly and coordinate replacements, returns, credits or corrective actions with suppliers and project stakeholders.
• Support urgent and local project purchasing needs within established authority, procurement policies and approval requirements while maintaining visibility and documentation in company systems.
• Maintain purchasing activity, commitments, notes, delivery status and supporting documentation accurately and timely in Kojo/Vista and other applicable systems.
• Ensure project urgency does not bypass established procurement controls, supplier requirements, approval processes or enterprise visibility expectations.
• Coordinate with corporate Purchasing and Sourcing to leverage enterprise supplier relationships, contracted pricing, negotiated terms and available inventory across projects.
• Communicate daily and weekly procurement status to project leadership, including critical deliveries, open issues, shortages, supplier constraints and items requiring escalation or project decisions.
• Partner with Supplier Operations and Accounting to resolve PO, receipt, invoice and supplier discrepancies that could delay payment or disrupt supplier performance.
• Provide timely supplier performance feedback, including delivery reliability, responsiveness, quality, issue resolution and support of project requirements.
• Support material reconciliation, project closeout, open PO review, excess/return material disposition and resolution of outstanding supplier commitments.
• Identify opportunities to improve onsite procurement processes, material planning, communication, supplier coordination and project execution.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Material Availability / Schedule Support
• PO Turnaround
• On-Time / In-Full Delivery
• Critical Material & Shortage Resolution
• Open Commitment / Delivery Status Accuracy
• Supplier Performance
• System & Process Compliance
• Project Team / Internal Customer Satisfaction

Qualifications & Skills

• Bachelor's degree in supply chain, Business, Construction Management or related field preferred; equivalent relevant experience considered.
• 5-7+ years of purchasing/procurement experience in construction, electrical contracting, data centers, mission-critical facilities, industrial projects or a comparable project environment preferred.
• Experience supporting active construction sites or project-based procurement strongly preferred.
• Working knowledge of purchase orders, material lead times, expediting, supplier management, logistics/receiving coordination and construction project schedules.
• Ability to read and respond to project priorities, look-ahead schedules and changing field requirements.
• ERP/procurement system experience; Kojo and Vista experience preferred.
• Strong supplier communication, problem-solving, negotiation, organization and follow-through skills.
• Ability to work effectively with field personnel, project leadership, corporate functional teams and suppliers in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, urgent requirements and competing schedule demands while maintaining procurement controls and accurate records.
• Comfort working independently onsite while remaining aligned with corporate Procurement processes, strategies and leadership.

Work Environment & Physical Requirements

This position is primarily based at an active construction/project site and requires regular interaction with field and project personnel. The role may require movement between office, warehouse, laydown and active project areas; use of required personal protective equipment (PPE); and adherence to all site-specific safety requirements. Regular use of computers, phones and procurement/project systems is required. Occasional travel to supplier locations, corporate offices or other project sites may be required. Apply the standard Hays Work Environment & Physical Requirements language where additional company-specific requirements are applicable.

Why Join Hays Electrical 

• Work with real data across every function of a growing electrical contractor from day one 

• Clear growth path into Data Analyst II and Senior Analyst roles 

• Mentorship and collaboration with experienced analysts and systems professionals 

• Work that directly impacts field operations, project performance, and business decisions 

• Competitive salary, medical, dental, vision, and 401(k) 

• Career advancement and leadership development opportunities in a growing organization