Procurement Programs Manager

The Procurement Programs Manager plays a strategic role in how the company sources, purchases, and delivers critical infrastructure and services. This role goes beyond day-to-day purchasing and focuses on building scalable, cost-effective, and risk-managed procurement programs that support the operation and expansion of large-scale, mission-critical facilities.

You will lead procurement strategy across data center infrastructure, partner closely with cross-functional teams, and create standardized programs that drive cost discipline, supplier performance, and supply chain resilience as the business scales.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Sourcing & Supplier Management

• Develop and manage vendor programs for critical infrastructure and equipment, including servers, networking hardware, liquid-cooling systems, generators, switchboards, transformers, UPS systems, chillers, hybrid coolers, IT “Pods”, Cabinets, and power distribution units.
• Negotiate standardized master service agreements (MSAs), preferred vendor programs, and volume-based pricing structures.
• Establish strategic warehousing and integrated supplier product management solutions.
• Evaluate and manage supplier performance across cost, quality, delivery timelines, and sustainability metrics.

Program Development & Standardization

• Design procurement frameworks that scale across multiple data center sites (e.g., Santa Clara, Reno, Chicago, Austin).
• Standardize purchasing processes including RFPs, competitive bidding, and contracting to ensure consistency and compliance.
• Align procurement programs with corporate priorities such as cost control, uptime, ESG commitments, and regulatory compliance.
• Leverage strategic advanced procurement strategies to maintain product availability across the development portfolio

Cost Optimization & Budget Alignment

• Partner with Finance to track spend versus budget and develop cost models for large-scale infrastructure projects.
• Deliver accurate cash flow forecast for all procured equipment
• Maintain delivery forecasting and milestones within an integrated master schedule.
• Implement long-term sourcing strategies, including bulk purchasing, forward contracts, and commodity hedging (e.g., steel, copper).
• Support Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) analysis for major capital equipment and supplier decisions.

Cross-Functional Coordination

• Collaborate closely with Operations, Engineering, and Construction teams to ensure equipment is ordered, delivered, and installed on schedule.
• Support IT and Network teams in sourcing specialized hardware, including servers, GPUs, and networking equipment.
• Ensure supply chain readiness for new data center builds, expansions, and technology refresh cycles.

Risk & Compliance Management

• Identify and mitigate supply chain risks such as single-source dependencies, geopolitical exposure, and extended lead times.
• Develop contingency plans, including alternative suppliers and strategic inventory strategies.
• Ensure compliance with trade regulations, import/export controls, and sustainability requirements.

Data & Process Excellence

• Implement and optimize procurement systems and tools (e.g., ERP platforms, Yardi, Coupa, SAP Ariba, or similar).
• Define and track key procurement KPIs, including supplier performance, lead times, contract compliance, and cost savings.
• Continuously improve procurement processes to enhance scalability, transparency, and operational efficiency.

Key Skills

• Strategic sourcing and supplier relationship management
• Contract negotiation and MSA development
• Program and process design at scale
• Cost modeling, budgeting, and TCO analysis
• Cross-functional stakeholder management
• Risk assessment and mitigation
• Data-driven decision making and KPI tracking
• Procurement systems and ERP tools

Required Experience

• 7+ years of experience in procurement, sourcing, or supply chain management, preferably within data centers, infrastructure, technology, or industrial environments
• Proven experience building and scaling procurement programs across multiple sites or regions
• Strong background negotiating contracts and managing strategic supplier relationships
• Experience partnering with Finance, Engineering, Operations, and IT teams
• Familiarity with procurement platforms such as ERP systems, Yardi, Coupa, SAP Ariba, or similar tools

What Success Looks Like

• Reduction in total procurement costs and improved budget adherence
• Improved supplier performance and reduced lead times
• Standardized, scalable procurement processes across all sites
• Increased supply chain resilience and reduced sourcing risk
• Measurable cost savings and TCO improvements on major purchases