Senior Manager Operations Procurement

About Vantage Data Centers

Vantage is committed to being a workplace of inclusion, equity, respect and acceptance. We celebrate diversity and intentionally seek out opportunities to learn from one another’s experience.

Vantage Data Centers powers, cools, protects and connects the technology of the world’s well-known hyperscalers, cloud providers and large enterprises. Developing and operating across North America, EMEA and Asia Pacific, Vantage has evolved data center design in innovative ways to deliver dramatic gains in reliability, efficiency and sustainability in flexible environments that can scale as quickly as the market demands.

About Operations

VDC Operations Department is responsible for delivering the contractual SLAs to our customers, which comprises having ownership of any activity that takes place in the data center, ensuring the health of all its mechanical and electrical systems, carrying out/coordinating/managing building maintenance as well as any projects affecting the operational data center and ensuring the performance of all data modules

About Procurement

The Development Procurement Team currently support procurement for all Development Capex spend (with exception of OFCI).  Due to the increasing volume of sites transitioning from Development to Operations, we have identified the need for an Operations Procurement Senior Manager to join the team and support sites across EMEA.

Position Overview

Reporting to the VP of Development Procurement,  the Senior Manager will be an important part of the team to successfully develop and deliver site management procurement strategies for maintenance, consultancy, snag remediation, small construction projects, site mobilization and other areas of spend as required.  

In this position you will work closely with your stakeholders and local market.  You will assess and understand the business need/requirements and develop effective site specific procurement strategies that deliver on time, within budget and to a high quality.  You will improve ways of working, identify cost saving opportunities and maintain strong knowledge of the local suppliers.  You will be responsible for the entire procurement life cycle: strategy, tender, contract negotiations, governance/approvals and ongoing supplier/contract management.  

You will work closely with the Development Procurement and OFCI Procurement Teams to leverage processes, supplier relationships and cost efficiencies.

Essential Job Functions

• Work with key stakeholders to understand short and long term site and regional requirements to develop and execute effective procurement strategies that enable site success
• Develop a strong understanding of the local supplier market place and identify strategic partners for VDC and build a resilient, responsive and agile supply chain;
• Develop KPIs to measure vendor performance and support an effective strategic supplier management model
• Develop strong partnerships with stakeholders to help inform the site operations strategy and proactively engage the market based on pipeline
• Identify and deliver cost savings opportunities

Duties

• Develop and drive site procurement strategies on time and within budget
• Implement best practices in procurement and supplier management to support commercial and operational objectives
• Negotiate competitive multi-year agreements with suppliers as applicable
• Ensure that all required contracts are in place and renewals are being proactively managed
• Collaborate with stakeholders to ensure clarity of requirements and manage change
• Work with our Legal team to examine and test new and existing contract structures
• Establish, develop, and maintain effective working relationships with all colleagues, internal and external contractors, and clients
• Conduct business review meetings with key stakeholders to assess risk, review future strategies, and identify potential cost reduction, risk mitigation and improvement opportunities
• Lead vendor negotiations, conflict resolution and driving continuous improvement from the supplier base
• Manage multiple 3rd party vendors who provide critical services for the company and ensure quality and delivery targets are met
• Update and recommend improvements to procurement strategies based on changing market conditions
• Work with the wider Development and OFCI Procurement Team to share lessons learned
• Provide regular and accurate reporting to the VDC Site managers on supplier and contract performance
• Recruit and develop a team to support the growing demand

Job Requirements

• Bachelor of Science degree in supply chain management, logistics, business administration or equivalent required
• 8+ years of relevant supply chain experience as a customer or supplier in Data Center or complex infrastructure construction
• Experience with developing and executing an Operations Procurement strategy across multiple regions
• Strong inter-personal skills with excellent stakeholder management
• Excellent organisational skills
• Strong knowledge of procurement, commercial and negotiating techniques along with standard construction contract terms & conditions;
• Strong knowledge of local markets, with an established network
• Excellent planning and organization skills with the ability to manage conflicting priorities and meet tight deadlines
• Ability to lead and engage people in a fast-changing environment to achieve results through others
• Assertive and confident and able to quickly build a high level of personal and professional credibility within the business and customer base, demonstrating strong commercial and financial acumen

We operate with No Ego and No Arrogance. We work to build each other up and support one another, appreciating each other’s strengths and respecting each other’s weaknesses. We find joy in our work and each other, actively seeking opportunities to inject fun into what we do. Our hard and efficient work is rewarded with an above market total compensation package. We offer a comprehensive suite of health and welfare, retirement, and paid leave benefits exceeding local expectations.

Throughout the year, the advantage of being part of the Vantage team is evident with an array of benefits, recognition, training and development, and the knowledge that your contribution adds value to the company and our community.

Don’t meet all the requirements? Please still apply if you think you are the right person for the position. We are always keen to speak to people who connect with our mission and values.

Vantage Data Centers is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Vantage Data Centers does not accept unsolicited resumes from search firm agencies. Fees will not be paid in the event a candidate submitted by a recruiter without an agreement in place is hired; such resumes will be deemed the sole property of Vantage Data Centers.