Colt Data Centre Services has over 20 years’ experience in designing, building and operating energy-efficient, reliable data centers - hosting significant financial, media, corporate and cloud wholesale providers across the world.
Our customers are at the heart of everything we do, we endeavor to take a customer-led approach across our operations striving to serve our customers with a seamless experience no matter what facility or region they are in. Finding the right solutions for our customers starts with finding the right people for Colt DCS. We believe in creating a healthy, learning environment for our employees to flourish.
The Delivery Commercial & Procurement team oversees the global management of Major Build partners and suppliers, focusing on commercial, contractual, and relationship aspects. Reporting to the Head of Procurement for UK & Europe, this role is centered on delivering exceptional procurement management for Major Build projects.
As Colt DCS continues its rapid expansion of data center facilities worldwide, expertise in contractual construction procurement will be crucial to ensuring Procurement's ongoing success and leadership in Major Build projects.
Job DescriptionTypical tasks and responsibilities will include:
- Lead and manage procurement activities for Major Builds, including consultants and contractors, ensuring alignment with organizational goals.
- Define and implement operating and capital cost reduction targets, benchmarking processes, and innovative procurement solutions to optimize cost and reduce critical path activities.
- Conduct commercial negotiations with suppliers, including for soft services such as consulting, to achieve optimal cost and benefit outcomes for Colt DCS.
- Oversee procurement strategies, including sourcing, RFP processes, bidder evaluations, and contract negotiations, ensuring compliance with corporate policies and timely delivery.
- Collaborate with Legal and Commercial teams to negotiate contracts with general contractors and design consultants, managing risk and aligning with corporate governance.
- Track and report cost savings in partnership with the Cost Management team, providing detailed updates in project progress meetings with key stakeholders.
- Perform vendor management, including quarterly performance reviews and contract management, while assessing market trends and internal spending to develop effective contracting strategies.
Qualifications- Proven experience in a similar Procurement role with a deep understanding of the industry sector.
- Knowledge of the data center sector and construction industry is essential.
- Demonstrable delivery of cost and capital expenditure savings to meet targets.
- Fluent in German & English; proficiency in French is advantageous.
- CIPS qualification or degree-level education (Business School) in Procurement, Commercial, Construction, or Finance.
- Proficient in e-sourcing tools, preferably SAP/Ariba.
- Flexibility to travel at short notice.
- Proven track record in Procurement Tactical and Strategic Management, able to effectively build and execute robust plans.
- Deep knowledge of Procurement/Sourcing Management principles with practical application experience.
- Practical knowledge and experience in creating and negotiating commercial construction and supply contracts.
- Ability to manage procurement categories and workloads, creating practical plans and achieving cost reductions.
- Demonstrated ability to manage peaks and troughs in workload and balance conflicting priorities.
- Experience working under pressure and delivering against tight deadlines.
- Excellent negotiation and communication skills, both internally and externally with suppliers.
- Proven ability to influence and motivate complex, matrix teams both virtually and directly.
- Skilled in Supplier Relationship Management frameworks, with the ability to develop and leverage them effectively.
- Experience leading, working, and delivering construction procurement strategies through virtual multifunctional teams.
- Exceptional stakeholder management, comfortable engaging with C-level stakeholders across geographies.
- Culturally aware and astute in diverse environments.
- Deals effectively with ambiguity and defines clear goals and behavioral expectations.
- Strong planning and organizational skills, prioritizing tasks to deliver maximum impact on business objectives.
- Self-starter with the ability to exceed expected outcomes.
- Excellent communication and presentation skills.