Vice President of Procurement - Data Centers

Key Responsibilities

Build and lead the procurement department; establish processes, hire and develop the team, and execute procurement activities while staffing the function.

Develop multi-year sourcing plans for equipment, construction, and trade packages, aligning purchasing milestones with development, design, construction, commissioning, and turnover.

Procure generators, switchgear, transformers, UPS, busway, chillers, air handling units, and cooling distribution equipment; coordinate technical reviews and delivery sequencing with project teams.

Lead contractor selection and major commercial negotiations; evaluate lump-sum, guaranteed maximum price, cost-plus, and design-build approaches with Construction and Legal.

Define direct-purchase and contractor-supplied equipment strategies, including logistics, storage, installation interfaces, warranties, and delivery accountability.

Manage commercial issues through project closeout, including change orders, claims, cost and schedule impacts, and dispute resolution with Construction and Legal.

Secure supplier capacity and reduce costs through portfolio purchasing, standardization, early commitments, design-to-cost reviews, prefabrication, and strategic industry partnerships.

Set procurement controls and supplier obligations for delivery, service, quality, and safety; monitor performance through audits, site visits, and business reviews, and maintain current sourcing and contract records.

Analyze spend and execution risks, recommend contingency plans and policy improvements, and present business cases to leadership; coordinate purchasing and invoice resolution with Finance and project teams. Perform additional duties as assigned.

This role requires professionalism, respect, sound judgment, strong communication, attention to detail, and the ability to work effectively with others in a collaborative, team-oriented, and inclusive environment.

Required Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in supply chain, engineering, business, analytics, finance, or a related field, or equivalent education and experience.
Typically 10+ years in procurement, strategic sourcing, category management, or supply chain, or 8+ with a relevant master’s degree; hands-on experience spanning planning, sourcing, logistics, and fulfillment.
Experience in data centers, automotive, aerospace, electrical equipment, or heavy equipment manufacturing, purchasing complex equipment relevant to data center or critical-facility infrastructure.
Working knowledge of electrical specifications, including voltage, amperage, power ratings, and capacity; ability to interpret technical proposals and resolve equipment requirements with Engineering.
Demonstrated ownership of multi-year category strategies for substantial spend and constrained supply, including personal leadership of complex negotiations and completed agreements.
Construction procurement and contract administration experience with general contractors, construction managers, designers, engineers, and specialty trades, covering delivery models, GC/EPC agreements, change orders, claims, and closeout.
Experience procuring long-lead electrical or mechanical equipment for complex capital projects and coordinating deliveries against construction or installation schedules.
Experience establishing procurement policies and governance and changing processes to reduce business risk; at least three years of direct or indirect leadership, coaching, and cross-functional influence.
Ability to use data to anticipate risks, evaluate change-order impacts, and support decisions; strong executive communication, business-case development, and stakeholder alignment skills.
Ability to deliver under uncertain conditions, tight deadlines, and supply constraints while performing hands-on procurement and building a team; willingness to relocate to Texas or Georgia if needed and travel as required.

Preferred Qualifications

Data center equipment category management or program delivery experience, from sourcing through construction execution, including AI infrastructure and cooling systems.
Experience launching a procurement function, negotiating master agreements, and resolving disputes alongside Legal in a growing organization.
Experience applying AI, automation, or analytics to procurement and supply chain workflows.