Senior Procurement Manager - Data Center, Technology Hardware

Job DescriptionJob Description

Title: Senior Procurement Manager - IT Data Center and IT Technology Hardware

Location: Chicago, IL onsite

Salary: $170,000 – 190,000 + Bonus

Job Type: Full-Time | Exempt

Benefits: Eligible for medical, dental, vision, 401(k), and PTO

Sponsorship: Not available and No relocation offered

Our client is executing a major infrastructure expansion in 2026, including an monster planned data center and enterprise hardware investments supporting both U.S.-based and global initiatives. This is a highly visible, senior procurement role responsible for managing the organization’s largest spend category and partnering daily with data center leadership.

This position will play a central role in sourcing, negotiating, and executing large-scale hardware acquisitions that support high-performance computing, research environments, and next- data center builds.

Role Summary

The Senior Procurement Category Manager will own strategy and execution for data center–related procurement, working closely with Data Center Engineering, Infrastructure, Platform, Network, Finance, Legal, and Risk teams. Success in this role requires deep experience with enterprise hardware sourcing, strong commercial negotiation skills, and comfort operating in highly technical environments.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and execute category strategies for data center hardware, including GPU hosts, high-density compute, networking, storage, power delivery, and liquid cooling systems
• Partner daily with Data Center teams to align sourcing with buildout timelines, power and cooling requirements, and deployment schedules
• Lead RFI/RFP/RFx processes for large-scale hardware and infrastructure initiatives
• Negotiate OEM and VAR agreements, enterprise pricing, allocation models, lead times, SLAs, and lifecycle support terms
• Coordinate closely with Legal, Finance, Risk, Engineering, and Procurement Operations on commercial and contractual execution
• Build and maintain strategic relationships with server OEMs, GPU manufacturers, system integrators, cooling providers, and infrastructure vendors
• Oversee supplier performance, pricing changes, allocation updates, and roadmap communications
• Partner with Data Center Project Management on purchase timing, delivery logistics, and inventory planning
• Monitor market trends including GPU availability, power density, thermal management, and data center infrastructure innovations
• Analyze spend data, supplier KPIs, and usage patterns to inform sourcing decisions and cost optimization strategies
• Support global sourcing initiatives and identify opportunities for consolidated purchasing and leverage across regions
• Serve as a trusted advisor to technical and operational leaders across the full hardware sourcing lifecycle

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required (Engineering, Business, Finance, Supply Chain, or related field)
• 7+ years of procurement, sourcing, or category management experience with significant focus on data center or enterprise hardware
• Demonstrated experience sourcing:
  • GPU servers and high-density compute systems
  • Networking and storage infrastructure
  • Power and cooling systems, including liquid cooling technologies
• Proven success negotiating complex enterprise hardware agreements across OEM and VAR channels
• Strong ability to collaborate with highly technical stakeholders and translate requirements into executable sourcing strategies
• Experience managing concurrent projects across multiple data center initiatives
• Strong analytical skills with experience using sourcing tools, contract management systems, and spend analytics
• Excellent communication, organization, and stakeholder-management skills
• Familiarity with structured sourcing methodologies and continuous process improvement

Work Environment

• Onsite, 5 days per week in downtown Chicago
• Highly collaborative, fast-moving environment with significant executive visibility
• Direct partnership with Data Center leadership and cross-functional technical teams

Addison Group is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Addison Group provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to , , , gender, sexual , , , , genetic information, marital status, amnesty, or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws. Addison Group complies with applicable state and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. Reasonable accommodation is available for qualified individuals with disabilities, upon request.

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