About VIRTUS

VIRTUS Data Centres is the UK’s fastest growing data centre provider which owns, designs, builds and operates the country’s most efficient and flexible data centres.

In May 2023 we announced our plans to expand into continental Europe, with our first data centre due to open in Berlin in 2026, to be quickly followed by two full campuses and expansion into other countries in the pipeline.

Our purpose is to serve humanity by being an active, positive participant in the 4th industrial revolution. When we talk about our purpose, we refer to our customers’ customers; the child playing a computer game, the person watching their favourite movie, booking a medical appointment, a plane ticket, a hotel or doing their online banking; those things can’t be done if we don’t do our job.

Our mission is to consistently exceed the expectations of customers through innovative, high-quality solutions and services. We employ intelligent thinkers – people with positive attitudes, who add to the quality of our customer proposition and business.

We value individual endeavour and initiative and encourage teamwork and togetherness because collective experience and expertise is VIRTUS’ greatest strength.

Job Summary

The Senior Procurement Manager assumes full procurement responsibility for significant new builds and in-life projects in line with the company’s processes and procedures. This position works closely with other internal Clients and teams and will actively manage respective (internal and external) procurement resources and issues across Projects.

The role is expected to provide strategic and day-to-day leadership specifically focused to develop and execute project specific sourcing strategies in regard to major equipment and Long Lead Items (LLI), drive down construction costs, ensure on-time delivery, provide assurance against internal financial controls and reporting processes and manage all major supply chain and contract risks.

The person will be working with and supporting internal Clients to support their needs in terms of budgeting, seeking approval for expenditure using the prescribed processes, and engaging general major equipment and LLI suppliers.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Assume full ownership across VIRTUS of all major equipment contracts including sourcing, tendering, contracting, managing costs & timely delivery up to closing out the contract

• Provide full procurement support at pre-contract stage

• Contribute to the definition of the sourcing/ procurement strategy (e.g., OFCI vs. CFCI, novation, longer term framework contracts vs. project contracts, standardisation etc.) in alignment with key stakeholders

• Tender, negotiate, contract and manage the supply chain across multiple projects and across countries with focus on equipment suppliers.

• Manage and arbitrate priorities across multiple projects to mitigate any risks and potential delays

• Liaise with Accounts Payable and Cost Management to further develop processes, procedures and systems that will help with the control of cost and spend over projects.

• Work closely with and across the supply chain to ensure efficient and cost-effective procurement processes

• Ensure all necessary contract notices are prepared accurately and issued on time, authorize contract instructions and that robust contract change control procedures are in place.

• Liaise across the project team to promote a clear understanding of the contractual relationships between the various parties and stakeholders, and to mitigate risks

• Establish and maintain accurate and robust budgets, reports and forecasts

• Monitor resources and costs to ensure that the projects meet or exceed agreed budget targets

• Identify contractual and supply chain risks and ensure that they are mitigated accordingly

• Ensure compliance with company rules, procedures, approvals and other regulations

• Manage the commercial close out of projects from procurement point of view including settlement of all suppliers including variations, claims and any disputes and ensure appropriate records and information are kept and archived

Qualifications:

• Experience in project purchasing (equipment, OFCI/ LLI, sub-contracting,

construction, FCM)

Person Specification

• Strong negotiating skills

• ERP / SAP experience

• MS Office knowledge

• Working in matrix organization

• Change Management

• Ability to work in a team / strong communication skill

• Ability to work independently

• Assertiveness

• Strong technical & commercial understanding

• Willingness to travel

• Working experience in different countries (ideally UK, Germany, other continental European countries)

• Languages: English & German

Search Firm Representatives Please Read Carefully

VIRTUS Data Centres does not accept unsolicited support from search firms for employment openings. CVs/resumes submitted by search firms to any VIRTUS employee without an active, written search agreement for a specified role will become the property of VIRTUS. No fees will be paid for candidates hired from agency submissions made without such an agreement. Existing agency partnerships must adhere to position-specific terms outlined in their agreements. Please refrain from calling or emailing regarding this matter.