Vice President Procurement

Role overview

Harper Harrison is hiring on behalf of a fast-scaling hyperscale data center developer for a Vice President of Procurement. This is a senior leadership opening within a well-funded platform at an important point in its expansion, with responsibility tied to a major development pipeline across North America.

The position blends procurement leadership with construction and project delivery, rather than sitting in a conventional sourcing function. The selected person will build and steer procurement approaches that help keep projects on schedule, reduce supply-chain exposure, and support the timely delivery of significant capital equipment across multiple hyperscale data center developments.

This is a remote role in the United States and involves 25–30% travel.

Key responsibilities

• Own the procurement approach for large capital equipment, with emphasis on electrical and mechanical infrastructure.
• Oversee sourcing and purchasing for long-lead, mission-critical items such as switchgear, generators, UPS units, cooling systems, and related equipment.
• Create project-specific procurement plans that are aligned with construction timelines, delivery targets, and project specifications.
• Negotiate commercial terms with OEMs, manufacturers, distributors, and key suppliers.
• Assess supply-chain exposure and put safeguards in place to protect delivery schedules.
• Work in close partnership with development, design, construction, commissioning, and operations stakeholders.
• Supervise outside procurement advisors, owner’s representatives, and vendor partners.
• Monitor procurement progress, factory schedules, shipment timing, and equipment readiness across live projects.
• Assist with cost projections, commercial decisions, and supplier performance oversight.

Candidate profile

• At least 10 years of experience in data center procurement, construction, development, delivery, or mission-critical infrastructure.
• Strong knowledge of major equipment purchasing and mission-critical systems.
• Hands-on experience with switchgear, generators, UPS systems, cooling equipment, or comparable infrastructure.
• Proven ability to balance commercial goals with project delivery needs.
• Solid understanding of supply-chain limitations, lead times, and schedule risk management.
• Background leading RFPs, supplier negotiations, and contract conversations.
• Comfort working in a fast-moving, high-growth setting with frequent cross-functional collaboration.
• Experience with a data center developer, owner-operator, mission-critical contractor, or OEM is preferred.

Additional information

This role is remote within the United States and requires approximately 25–30% travel. It supports data center development work and is intended for someone who can operate at a senior level across procurement, delivery, and commercial coordination.