Procurement Manager

Vertical Recruitment is supporting an international consultancy with the appointment of an experienced Procurement Manager to work client-side on a major programme of hyperscale data centre developments across the UK and international markets.

This is a senior client-side procurement position, overseeing major construction, MEP, equipment and professional services packages delivered through external project and construction management partners.

You will take ownership of a portfolio of packages from initial procurement strategy and RFP through tender evaluation, governance and final contract award.

The Role

• Manage and oversee procurement packages from RFP through to contract award

• Review procurement strategies, plans and package schedules prepared by PMC/MSC delivery partners

• Review tender documentation before issue, including scope, pricing, evaluation criteria and contractual requirements

• Oversee supplier clarifications, bidder queries and tender close-out

• Review bid levelling, normalisation, commercial analysis and tender evaluations

• Challenge commercial assumptions, qualifications and contract award recommendations

• Assess proposed awards against compliance, value and commercial risk

• Take packages through client governance and approval to signed contract

• Maintain procurement schedules against construction and programme requirements

• Identify and resolve delays with delivery partners, bidders, suppliers and internal stakeholders

• Monitor manufacturing capacity, lead times and delivery risk across long-lead MEP equipment

• Oversee procurement of generators, UPS, switchgear, transformers, cooling equipment and professional services

• Provide regular reporting on package status, programme risk and key client decisions

About You

• 10+ years' experience within construction, engineering procurement or commercial management

• Demonstrable experience personally managing complex tenders from RFP through to award

• Background within a PMC/consultancy, main contractor, hyperscale/colocation operator or similarly complex project environment

• Data centre, mission-critical or other major technically complex project experience

• Strong experience procuring construction, MEP, long-lead equipment and/or professional services packages

• Strong bid levelling, tender evaluation and commercial analysis capability

• Working knowledge of NEC, FIDIC and/or JCT contracts

• International procurement experience, ideally across EMEA and/or APAC

• Strong stakeholder management with the confidence to challenge delivery partners and senior stakeholders

• Advanced Excel skills and the right to work in the UK

Desirable: MCIPS, MRICS or equivalent; Ariba, Coupa or similar procurement systems experience; additional EMEA/APAC language skills.

The Opportunity

This is an opportunity to work client-side on a significant global hyperscale data centre programme, with exposure to complex international procurement across the UK, EMEA and APAC.

The position is predominantly remote, with travel to London and overseas where required. It offers significant international project exposure, direct access to senior leadership and the opportunity to play an important role in the delivery of a growing global programme.