Vertical Recruitment is supporting an international consultancy with the appointment of an experienced Procurement Manager to work on behalf of a major client delivering hyperscale data centre developments across the UK and international markets.
This is a client-side procurement position, overseeing the procurement of major construction, MEP, equipment and professional services packages delivered through external project and construction management partners.
The role will take responsibility for a portfolio of procurement packages, providing oversight and challenge throughout the process from initial tender strategy and RFP through bid evaluation, governance and final contract award.
The Role
Working closely with the wider client and project delivery teams, you will provide procurement leadership across major data centre programmes, ensuring packages are commercially robust, compliant and awarded in line with programme requirements.
Responsibilities will include:
- Managing and overseeing procurement packages from RFP through to contract award
- Reviewing procurement strategies, plans and package schedules prepared by delivery partners
- Reviewing tender documentation before issue, including scope, pricing schedules, evaluation criteria and contractual requirements
- Identifying gaps or required amendments and ensuring these are resolved ahead of tender
- Participating in supplier clarification meetings and overseeing the close-out of bidder queries
- Reviewing bid evaluations, levelling and normalisation to ensure submissions have been assessed consistently and accurately
- Challenging commercial assumptions, qualifications and proposed award recommendations where required
- Assessing contract award recommendations against commercial, compliance, value and risk considerations
- Preparing client-side procurement assessments and supporting packages through internal approval and governance processes
- Maintaining procurement schedules against key construction and programme dates
- Identifying potential delays and working with delivery partners, suppliers and internal stakeholders to resolve procurement issues
- Monitoring manufacturing capacity, lead times and delivery risk associated with long-lead equipment
- Supporting the procurement of major electrical and mechanical equipment including generators, UPS systems, switchgear, transformers and cooling equipment
- Overseeing the procurement of consultants and professional services alongside construction and equipment packages
- Providing regular reporting on procurement status, programme risks, outstanding decisions and key actions
- Capturing lessons learned and supporting improvements across future projects and international programmes
About You
This opportunity would suit an established procurement or commercial professional who has personally delivered complex tender processes and is now comfortable providing client-side oversight and challenge.
You will ideally have:
- 10+ years' experience within construction, engineering, procurement or commercial management
- Strong experience running procurement processes from RFP through to contract award
- Previous experience within a consultancy/PMC, main contractor, data centre developer/operator or similarly complex project environment
- Data centre, mission-critical or other technically complex major project experience
- Experience procuring construction, MEP and major equipment packages
- Knowledge of long-lead mechanical and electrical equipment procurement
- Experience procuring professional and consultancy services
- Strong tender analysis, bid levelling and commercial evaluation capability
- Working knowledge of major forms of contract such as NEC, FIDIC and/or JCT
- Experience working across international supply chains or projects, ideally within more than one EMEA or APAC market
- Strong stakeholder management skills and the confidence to challenge delivery partners and senior project stakeholders
- Advanced Excel capability
- The ability to manage multiple procurement packages against demanding programme deadlines
- Right to work in the UK
Desirable
- MCIPS, MRICS or equivalent professional qualification
- Experience with procurement platforms such as Ariba, Coupa or similar
- Additional language skills relevant to EMEA or APAC markets
The Opportunity
This is an opportunity to work on major hyperscale data centre programmes across the UK, EMEA and APAC, with exposure to complex international procurement and some of the most critical packages within data centre delivery.
The position is predominantly remote, with travel to London and overseas where required. It offers significant international project exposure, working directly with senior leadership and playing a key role in the delivery of a growing global programme.
Procurement Manager in London employer: Vertical Recruitment
As a leading M&E engineering contractor based in Cheshire, we pride ourselves on being an excellent employer that fosters a collaborative and innovative work culture. Our commitment to employee growth is evident through ongoing professional development opportunities, competitive salaries, and a performance-related bonus structure, all while offering the flexibility of hybrid working. Join us to lead impactful engineering projects and mentor a dynamic team, making a real difference in various sectors including manufacturing and critical infrastructure.
