Director, EMEA Data Center Operations Services & Supply Chain

Job description

About Vantage Data Centers Vantage Data Centers powers, cools, protects and connects the technology of the world’s well-known hyperscalers, cloud providers and large enterprises. Developing and operating across North America, EMEA and Asia Pacific, Vantage has evolved data center design in innovative ways to deliver dramatic gains in reliability, efficiency and sustainability in flexible environments that can scale as quickly as the market demands. About Operations VDC Operations Department is responsible for delivering the contractual SLAs to our customers, which comprises having ownership of any activity that takes place in the data center, ensuring the health of all its mechanical and electrical systems, carrying out/coordinating/managing building maintenance as well as any projects affecting the operational data center and ensuring the performance of all data modules About Procurement The Development Procurement Team currently support procurement for all Development Capex spend (with exception of OFCI). Due to the increasing volume of sites transitioning from Development to Operations, we have identified the need for an Operations Procurement Director to join the team and support sites across EMEA. Position Overview Lead EMEA regional execution of procurement-led operating services and lifecycle supply chain support for data center infrastructure. This role acts as the regional commercial and supply chain partner to Data Center Operations, Regional COOs, and site operating teams, enabling reliable, secure, and cost-efficient operations through supplier frameworks, service agreements, regional execution plans, and performance governance. The Director is accountable for EMEA execution of maintenance, service delivery, security, spares, asset lifecycle, issue resolution, supplier escalation, and failure response frameworks. This role ensures regional suppliers and internal supply chain capabilities meet operational uptime, compliance, and customer SLA requirements while supporting global standards and adapting them to EMEA country, site, and regulatory requirements. This is a supporting function, accountable for commercial structure, supplier performance, regional issue resolution, and lifecycle optimization, not day-to-day site operations. Essential Job Functions EMEA regional accountability for procurement and supply chain–enabled data center operating services supporting regional operations teams. Primary stakeholder interface with Data Center Operations, Regional COOs, and site leadership. Ownership of EMEA regional service contracts and execution plans, including: maintenance (R&M and PM), facilities management , security services. Governance of supplier performance frameworks, including QBRs, SBRs, and KPI tracking. Ownership of EMEA critical spares strategies, emergency response frameworks, supplier escalation protocols, and service readiness. Regional leadership for supplier issue resolution, commercial dispute support, failure response coordination, and corrective action tracking. Oversight of security procurement, including manpower and technical systems. Responsibility for asset lifecycle management, including equipment EoL , recycling, and refurbishment. Enablement of asset tracking and lifecycle visibility systems. Procurement and supply chain support for small expansions and in-life capital works. Job Duties Operations-Facing Procurement Partnership: Act as the primary procurement and supply chain partner to : Data Center Operations teams & Regional COOs and operating leadership. Translate operational requirements into commercial frameworks, supplier strategies, and service delivery models. Ensure procurement solutions are aligned to: uptime expectations, operational constraints, regional execution realities. Global Service Agreements & Contracting Support global master service agreement frameworks where applicable and lead EMEA regional supplier negotiations, contract localization, and execution for: maintenance providers, facilities management, security services, specialized technical services. Embed clear service definitions, SLAs, escalation structures, and accountability mechanisms into all contracts. Balance global standardization with EMEA regional flexibility to support local operating models, country requirements, and site execution realities. Lead regional commercial negotiations with suppliers to resolve performance issues, scope gaps, service failures, claims, and escalation events. Drive commercial strategies that optimize: cost, performance, and risk allocation. Supplier Performance Management (QBRs / SBRs) Establish and lead structured supplier governance models, including: Quarterly Business Reviews (QBRs) and Strategic Business Reviews (SBRs). Define and track KPIs across: availability and uptime, response and recovery times, SLA compliance, quality and service delivery. Drive continuous improvement with suppliers, leveraging performance data, benchmarking, and contractual levers. Ensure transparent reporting, issue escalation, corrective action ownership, and alignment with Operations and COO leadership across EMEA. Drive supplier recovery plans for recurring service failures, underperformance, and operational disruptions, including commercial remedies where appropriate . Repair & Maintenance (R&M) and Preventative Maintenance (PM) Own EMEA regional procurement execution for R&M and PM services. Ensure contracts enforce: defined response times, recovery SLAs, preventative maintenance schedules. Coordinate supplier response to maintenance failures, missed service windows, and urgent repair events, ensuring recovery actions are documented and closed. Align maintenance frameworks with: OEM standards, asset criticality, operational uptime objectives . Critical Spares & Supply Chain Readiness Execute EMEA regional strategy for critical spare parts, including: Inventory strategies and stocking models and Supplier frameworks and rapid fulfillment capabilities. Partner with Operations to align spares with: failure risk, lead times, site-level needs. Balance working capital efficiency with uptime protection. Emergency Response & Incident Support Ensure EMEA procurement frameworks enable 24/7 emergency response capability across all critical systems. Contractually define, based on Operations requirements: response SLAs, escalation pathways, recovery commitments. Support Operations in major incident and failure response scenarios through supplier mobilization, escalation management, commercial leverage, and contractual enforcement. Lead regional supplier issue resolution after failures, including root-cause follow-up, corrective action plans, recovery commitments, and lessons learned integration into future contracts. Customer SLA Alignment Ensure customer-facing SLAs are fully embedded into: supplier contract and service delivery frameworks. Partner with Operations to ensure: external commitments are achievable and risks are mitigated through supply chain design. Drive alignment between customer expectations and supplier performance. Data Center Security (Procurement & Supply Chain) Own EMEA regional procurement execution for data center security services, including: Physical security manpower (guarding, access control personnel). Oversee sourcing and lifecycle management of technical security systems, including: CCTV and surveillance infrastructure, access control systems, software licensing and upgrades . Ensure compliance with enterprise security standards and regulatory requirements. Equipment Lifecycle ( EoL ) Management & Recycling Execute EMEA frameworks for equipment end-of-life ( EoL ) and lifecycle transitions. Manage programs for : recycling and responsible disposal & reuse and refurbishment where viable . Ensure compliance with regulatory and sustainability requirements. Integrate EoL considerations into: supplier contract, total cost of ownership models, long-term capacity and service strategies. Asset Tracking & Lifecycle Visibility Enable and govern systems for: asset tracking and registries, configuration management, maintenance service history integration. Ensure alignment between: procurement systems, operational asset data, service provider s. Support Operations with accurate , real-time asset visibility to improve: maintenance planning, spares management, and lifecycle decision making. Small Expansions & In-Life Capital Support Provide procurement and supply chain support for: capacity expansions & equipment upgrades and retrofits. Ensure supplier frameworks enable: fast execution, minimal disruption to live operations, standardization and compliance. Performance, Cost & Continuous Improvement Drive optimization of total cost of ownership (TCO) across the asset lifecycle. Lead continuous improvement initiatives across: supplier performance, commercial frameworks, service delivery models Introduce data-driven and predictive approaches to improve: maintenance outcomes, supplier performance, cost efficiency. Key Partnerships Data Center Operations & Site Leadership Regional COOs and Operating Teams Procurement & Category Management Product & Engineering Supply Chain & Logistics Security & Risk Finance & Asset Management External Service Providers & OEMs Qualifications 12+ years of leadership experience in procurement, supply chain, infrastructure services, or data center operations support, preferably within EMEA markets. Proven experience managing regional service agreements, supplier negotiations, issue resolution, and supplier performance frameworks (QBRs/SBRs). Strong track record supporting operations organizations in uptime-critical environments. Deep understanding of data center systems and lifecycle service requirements. Experience operating across EMEA country environments, regulatory requirements, supplier markets, and high-availability operations. Proven ability to lead as a strategic support partner to operations and executive stakeholders. We operate with No Ego and No Arrogance. We work to build each other up and support one another, appreciating each other’s strengths and respecting each other’s weaknesses. We find joy in our work and each other, actively seeking opportunities to inject fun into what we do. Our hard and efficient work is rewarded with an above market total compensation package. We offer a comprehensive suite of health and welfare, retirement, and paid leave benefits exceeding local expectations. Throughout the year, the advantage of being part of the Vantage team is evident with an array of benefits, recognition, training and development, and the knowledge that your contribution adds value to the company and our community. Don't meet all the requirements? Please still apply if you think you are the right person for the position. We are always keen to speak to people who connect with our mission and values. Vantage Data Centers is an Equal Opportunity Employer Vantage Data Centers does not accept unsolicited resumes from search firm agencies. Fees will not be paid in the event a candidate submitted by a recruiter without an agreement in place is hired; such resumes will be deemed the sole property of Vantage Data Centers.