Senior Category Sourcing Manager

The Senior Category Sourcing Manager is responsible for leading the execution and management of corporate sourcing initiatives for a variety of categories that build and sustain our data centers. The Senior Manager will facilitate sourcing and other process optimisation opportunities to generate cost savings and risk mitigation for category spend under management. Categories could include, but are not limited to: Professional Services, Design, Engineering, Project Management, Equipment, Data Connectivity and Construction.

This role is responsible for leading the planning, negotiation and execution of complex contracts across the range of categories across various jurisdictions. As the programme grows, the Senior Manager will build out the team to support the evolving needs of the business and will support Category Sourcing Managers on their team where support is needed to deliver business goals. This role will serve as the day-to-day leader of execution of duties for their assigned Category Sourcing Managers. The Senior Manager role will report to the Director, Category Sourcing position and will be expected to collaborate on process improvements and strategic initiatives with the Director to drive the Category Sourcing function forward.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Coach and develop a team of category sourcing managers to outperform expectations.
• Serve as first point of escalation for Category Sourcing Managers for their assigned category.
• Develop a world-class category management strategy across assigned categories and identify and implement system solutions and best practices that optimise work practices to foster efficiencies and enable accelerated execution strategies.
• Conduct thorough process analysis, develop methodology and metrics tools to track progress and improvements.
• Lead the end-to-end execution of contracts across a variety of professional services, design, engineering, project management, equipment and construction contracts across a European programme.
• Partner with cross-functional stakeholders across the organisation to develop best in class contracting strategies to optimise contracting including pre-development, development (design & construction), legal, tax, finance, and cost management teams.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders to align on contract strategies, procurement schedules, tender reviews, contract placement and recommendations.
• Conduct contract triage requests and liaise with relevant stakeholders to ensure all required information is gathered to enable speedy contract placement.
• Assist with and complete contract drafts for multiple forms and types of contracts including in multiple jurisdictions.
• Provide contract development, contract administration and contract management support to the whole European team.
• Leverage buying power to enhance commercial terms and increase total value.
• Stay attuned to market dynamics and industry intelligence to react appropriately to new challenges.
• Develop supplier and industry category profiles and strategies for assigned categories in support of creating a best-in-class supply chain design.
• Develop and execute sourcing strategies for highest spend, greatest complexity, and most critical/strategic categories.
• Participate in QBRs and provide guidance to Category Sourcing Managers on best practices.
• Function as key support role for line of business for assigned categories.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Procurement, Supply-Chain, or Engineering. Business Administration, Management, Operations, Finance, or a related field or equivalent professional experience.
• 7 or more years of relevant experience in Sourcing, Procurement, Construction and/or Supply-Chain.
• 3 or more years leading a procurement sourcing team or similar.
• Experience in contract development, execution, negotiation and management of vendor relationships in excess of $50M in annual value.
• Demonstrated ability to lead through action.
• Skilled in building relationships with key stakeholders to gather category requirements, specifications from departments, and category subject matter experts.
• Experience executing long range sourcing plans for assigned categories to reduce total costs, optimise value from suppliers, and meet internal customer requirements.
• Demonstrated company-wide procurement performance within one or more indirect categories or an equivalent combination of education, training or experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working for or supporting a data center provider (multi-tenant data center, hyperscale user, or equipment provider).

Knowledge, Skills & Attributes

• Exhibit excellent interpersonal skills with all levels of the organisation.
• Use organisational skills to determine prioritisation and appropriate multitasking.
• Perform necessary and timely follow-up, escalating appropriately if necessary.
• Strong planning, organisation, decision-making, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to resolve conflicts and solve problems.
• Self-motivated and goal driven.
• Proven skill in building culture within a team across multiple locations.
• Ability to work independently, with minimal supervision, on multiple, concurrent projects of varying complexity and competing priority.

Total Rewards

• 25 days annual leave and public holidays.
• 32 paid volunteering hours per year.
• Salary sacrifice pension scheme.
• Employer paid private medical and dental cover for employees and dependents.
• Life assurance.
• Illness financial protection including critical illness cover and income protection.
• Employee referral bonus equivalent to exchange rates of $2,500 at time of award, subject to eligibility.
• This role is bonus eligible.

The duties and responsibilities described here are not exhaustive and additional assignments, duties, or responsibilities may be required of this position. Assignments, duties, and responsibilities may be changed at any time, with or without notice, by QTS in its sole discretion. We provide individuals with disabilities reasonable accommodations to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment in accordance with applicable law. Please contact us to request an accommodation on TalentAcquisition@QTSDataCenters.com.