Director of Procurement

Job Description

DIRECTOR OF PROCUREMENT | HYPERSCALE DATA CENTER DEVELOPER

Remote (East Coast/Midwest) | Confidential Client

THE OPPORTUNITY

Our client, a premier data center developer with over 20 years of delivering best-in-class hyperscale and enterprise facilities, is seeking a Director of Procurement to establish and lead their procurement function from the ground up.

With $3+ billion currently under construction and an aggressive growth pipeline including multiple 300+ MW developments, this role offers the rare opportunity to architect procurement strategy, build vendor relationships, and directly impact billions in capital deployment.

This is a ground-floor leadership opportunity where you'll build something lasting.

ABOUT OUR CLIENT

Our client is a highly respected, lean, and intentional developer of mission-critical data center facilities known for:

✓ 20+ years delivering excellence to the most demanding hyperscale customers

✓ Zero compromise philosophy - pursuing excellence in every detail

✓ Strategic market presence in Northern Virginia, Northeast, and emerging markets

✓ Speed-to-market advantage through proactive long-lead equipment procurement

✓ Lean, efficient operations with direct access to leadership and decision-makers

The company is at an inflection point—scaling from 1-2 projects to 6+ simultaneous developments nationwide. Strategic procurement has become mission-critical to maintaining competitive advantage.

THE ROLE

The Director of Procurement will be the company's first dedicated procurement leader, responsible for establishing procurement infrastructure, vendor relationships, and processes to support aggressive growth while maintaining quality standards.

Strategic Procurement Leadership

• Develop and implement comprehensive procurement strategy aligned with growth objectives
• Establish procurement policies, procedures, and best practices from the ground up
• Build procurement systems and vendor evaluation frameworks
• Drive cost optimization initiatives across equipment categories and project lifecycle
• Create vendor performance metrics and management protocols

Vendor & Supplier Management

• Establish strategic relationships with critical equipment manufacturers and suppliers
• Manage long-lead equipment vendors: generators, switchgear, transformers, UPS systems, cooling equipment
• Negotiate master supply agreements, pricing structures, and commercial terms
• Develop vendor programs balancing quality, cost, delivery, and service
• Cultivate alternative sources to mitigate supply chain risk

Long-Lead Equipment Strategy

• Oversee procurement of critical equipment requiring 12-24 month advance ordering
• Develop equipment reservation and holding strategies to support speed-to-market
• Coordinate with technical teams on equipment specifications and project requirements
• Manage delivery schedules across multiple simultaneous projects
• Mitigate supply chain disruptions through proactive planning

Operational Execution

• Prepare, review, and execute purchase orders for major equipment packages
• Negotiate contracts, payment schedules, and delivery conditions
• Track PO status and ensure on-time delivery coordination
• Manage equipment logistics to construction sites across multiple states
• Coordinate with accounting/finance on budgets, forecasts, and payment processing

Market Intelligence & Innovation

• Monitor equipment market trends, pricing, and availability
• Track emerging technologies and alternative equipment solutions
• Analyze supply chain dynamics and anticipate disruptions
• Provide market intelligence to inform project planning decisions

IDEAL CANDIDATE PROFILE

Experience & Background:

• 7-12 years in procurement, supply chain, or vendor management
• Proven track record managing high-value procurement for capital projects
• Experience with long-lead equipment procurement and delivery coordination
• Strong negotiation skills with demonstrated cost savings achievements
• Construction, infrastructure, or mission-critical facilities background
• Data center or hyperscale facility experience highly valued

Technical Knowledge:

• Understanding of data center equipment categories and specifications
• Knowledge of electrical distribution equipment, backup power, and cooling systems
• Familiarity with supply chain logistics and delivery coordination
• Contract negotiation and purchase order management expertise
• Experience with procurement systems, ERP platforms, or project management tools

Essential Attributes:

• Strategic Thinker - Develops long-term strategies while executing daily operations
• Relationship Builder - Naturally develops strong vendor partnerships based on mutual value
• Proactive & Self-Directed - Takes ownership and anticipates needs without supervision
• Detail-Oriented - Manages complex specifications and schedules with precision
• Strong Communicator - Interfaces effectively with technical teams, vendors, and leadership
• Problem Solver - Navigates supply chain challenges and finds creative solutions
• Adaptable - Comfortable building processes in lean, fast-paced environment

WHAT MAKES THIS OPPORTUNITY UNIQUE

Build Your Legacy - Create the procurement function for a premier data center developer

Ground Floor - First dedicated procurement leader with direct influence on strategy

Scale & Impact - Oversee procurement for $3B+ in active construction

Access - Work directly with company founder and technical leadership

Critical Path - Long-lead procurement drives competitive advantage in speed-to-market

Market Timing - Data center equipment markets are complex—develop highly valued expertise

Career Trajectory - Early leadership positions you for future advancement as company scales

WHY THIS ROLE EXISTS

This position was created to address a critical business need: currently, technical leadership spends 10-15% of their time on procurement activities that should be dedicated to design and customer interface.

More importantly, the company's competitive advantage depends on speed-to-market, requiring long-lead equipment to be secured 12-24 months before lease signings. With the company scaling rapidly, strategic procurement has become mission-critical.

The successful candidate will establish procurement as a strategic function that drives competitive advantage, cost optimization, and operational excellence.

WORK ARRANGEMENT

Location: Remote - East Coast or Midwest

✈️ Travel: 20-30% to vendor facilities, construction sites, and company meetings

Compensation: Competitive package commensurate with experience

ABOUT VALOR FRONT

Valor Front is a specialized executive search firm focused on mission-critical infrastructure and data center talent acquisition. We have been exclusively retained to identify and recruit exceptional professionals for this confidential search.

HOW TO APPLY

Interested candidates should apply to connect with Valor Front to discuss this confidential opportunity. All inquiries and applications will be held in strict confidence.

Our client is committed to building a diverse team and encourages applications from professionals of all backgrounds who meet the qualifications outlined above.

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Valor Front | Executive Search for Mission-Critical Infrastructure