Procurement Manager

Serverfarm is a leading developer and operator of data centers in North America, Western Europe, and Israel, and has key customer relationships with rapidly growing hyperscale, technology and network customers. In September 2023, Manulife Investment Management acquired a controlling interest in Serverfarm, which will allow the company greater access to capital to accelerate the expansion of its data center portfolio on a worldwide basis. The company is positioned to capture the growing demand for data center capacity that continues to grow globally, fueled by the rapid adoption of artificial intelligence and companies’ continued transition of data workloads and storage to the cloud.

Serverfarm has integrated innovation, sustainability and digital transformation into its mission and culture. Serverfarm developed in 2009 out of a need in the market to help customers become more efficient as capacity demands and data management challenges grew. The Serverfarm team began purchasing data centers from customers and leasing back the portion they needed. This strategy transitioned the company from a data center real estate owner into a data center developer and operator, resulting in a growing international portfolio of state-of-the- art facilities.

In 2015, Serverfarm developed its award-winning service platform InCommand with the goal of bringing together the three main elements of a data center: real estate, electrical and mechanical infrastructure, and the IT environment. This portal-based solution combines people, process, and platform, creating a cloud-like experience for data centers. Serverfarm delivers its sustainable Data Center Managemen t as a Service (DMaas) approach at more than 750 locations across forty-five countries.

Serverfarm development team leads all engineering and construction initiatives related to the deployment of critical capacity across the globe. The procurement team is responsible for the sourcing and contracting for design, procurement and construction to support construction initiatives.

Key Accountabilities

• Ownership of equipment and design consultant procurement and supply chain planning for sites across North America
• Interface with the development team and external design firms to understand equipment requirements
• Negotiate purchase terms and conditions and master service agreements with suppliers
• Conduct sourcing and negotiate pricing with suppliers for equipment required for projects
• Review supplier proposals, prepare comparisons and cost analysis
• Identify and screen potential new suppliers that can provide beneficial pricing and or lead time to projects
• Forecast equipment needs based on design criteria in coordination with development and design team members.
• Participate in design, construction and owner meetings for projects.
• Prepare and track project budgets for equipment with cash projections
• Track delivery dates and participate in Owner Furnished Contractor Installed (OFCI) meetings for projects. Escalate delivery issues to supplier and development team as required
• Escalate lead time issues for non Serverfarm procured equipment (Contractor Purchased) with suppliers to improve lead time and maintain project schedules
• Issue Purchase Orders for equipment based on project need or planned order requirements
• Engage and maintain strategic relationships with strategic suppliers.
• Conduct Supplier Business Reviews with strategic suppliers
  
  
  

Shared Accountabilities

• Work with Development teams in other regions to support common initiatives
• Work with the various Serverfarm groups – Operations, Real Estate, Sales / Marketing to ensure Development activities support common initiatives
• Assemble development costs for inclusion with target asset proforma and ensure alignment with business and operational objectives
• Participate in business case preparation and recommendations for board approval
• Monitor data center and technology trends and best practices to equipment and sourcing processes are in alignment with customer and industry expectations
• Assist in performing due diligence on new asset acquisitions