Strategic Buyer Data center operations

Data4; Cornaredo; On-site; EUR 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

DATA4 is seeking a Category Manager - Operations & Asset Lifecycle to lead strategic sourcing, procurement, and contract management across the group’s data centers. You will manage budgets, negotiate with international suppliers, and drive cost efficiency while coordinating with operations, project managers, and support teams across multiple countries.

Reporting to the Group Procurement Manager, the role requires 5+ years in Opex/Capex procurement, fluency in English and French, and a track

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or master’s degree in Procurement is required.
• Minimum 5 years of procurement experience covering Opex and Capex in data center, infrastructure, or large-scale projects.
• Proven experience in managing international tenders and complex contracts.
• Experience in maintenance, renovation and optimization of facilities.
• Fluent in English and French.

Responsibilities

• Define and implement procurement strategies aligned with the group’s objectives.
• Manage supplier relationships and negotiate high-quality contracts.
• Lead RFx processes and tenders with internal stakeholders.
• Monitor budgets and identify cost-saving opportunities.
• Ensure compliance with policies, regulations, and risk controls.
• Provide regular procurement reporting to management.
• Coordinate across countries and sites, including travel as needed.

Skills

Strategic sourcing

Contract management

International procurement

Cost analysis

Risk management

Analytical skills

Stakeholder collaboration

Leadership

Education

Bachelor’s or master’s degree in Procurement

Job description

Category Manager - Operations & Asset Lifecycle

Department: Finance / Procurement – Group

Report to: Group Procurement Manager

Position type: Full-time.

Location: Milan, Madrid, OR Marcoussis, France

Travel required: in Europe.

DATA4'S MISSION

DATA4 creates Smart & Scalable digital facilities for our customers. Our network of highly connected, resilient, and sustainable data center campuses underpins our customers’ digital growth in Europe.

DATA4 Group finances, designs, constructs, and operates its own data centers. Delivered through our data center campus model, we provide our customers with secure, scalable, and high-performance data hosting solutions.

DATA4 VALUES

• To be entrepreneurial – we are teams of doers who make things happen - with autonomy, energy and a sense of responsibility.
• To always take responsibility – for our impact on the people we work with, the society we are part of, and the environment in which we operate.
• To constantly be adaptable – our business is designed to adapt, answering not only today’s challenges, but also anticipating what’s coming next.

About The Role

The Category Manager - Operations & Asset Lifecycle is responsible for strategic sourcing, procurement, and contract management related to technical or administrative campus operations, as well as retrofit and modernization projects across the group’s data centers. Additionally, the role encompasses the management of Group costs (SGA or Overheads expenditures).

The Role will typically include:

• Overseeing supplier relationships and negotiating contracts to secure high-quality equipment and services in a timely, cost-efficient manner.
• Collaborating with a diverse range of internal stakeholders—including operations teams, support teams, and project managers—across multiple countries to align procurement strategies with project timelines and objectives, while driving cross-functional initiatives.
• Driving sustainability across the supply chain by integrating CSR and ethical practices into all procurement process and

Reporting to the Group Procurement Manager, this role is pivotal in ensuring that our procurement activities support our strategic and environmental objectives.

Key Responsibilities

• Strategic Sourcing & Supplier Management
• Define and implement procurement strategies for the assigned categories, fully aligned with the group’s procurement strategy and objectives.
• Identify, evaluate, and onboard new suppliers to diversify and enrich the network.
• Conduct continuous market intelligence to anticipate trends and mitigate risks.
• Tendering and Contract Negotiation
• Lead RFx processes and tenders for the assigned categories in close collaboration with internal stakeholders.
• Negotiate advantageous contracts while ensuring compliance with legal requirements and internal standards.
• Manage contracts and monitor supplier performance, ensuring alignment between contractual services and actual deliverables while driving continuous improvement.
• Budget Management and Cost Control
• Monitor and manage procurement budgets to ensure cost-effective purchasing practices.
• Identify and implement cost-saving opportunities without compromising quality.
• Provide regular financial reports on procurement activities and budget adherence.
• Compliance, Risk Management & Reporting
• Ensure all procurement activities comply with internal policies, industry regulations, and ethical standards.
• Identify potential risks in the supply chain and develop appropriate mitigation strategies.
• Distribute comprehensive reports to support informed decision-making.

Qualifications

• Education:
• Bachelor’s or master’s degree in Procurement.
• Experience:
• Minimum of 5 years of relevant experience in a similar role covering both Opex and Capex procurement, preferably in the data center, infrastructure, or large-scale industrial project sectors.
• Proven experience in managing international tenders and negotiating complex contracts.
• Demonstrated expertise in procuring services and equipment for the maintenance, renovation, and optimization of existing facilities—including multi-technical maintenance, facility management (FM), security services, connectivity, as well as the procurement of intellectual services and other infrastructure-related services.
• Hard Skills
• Expertise in negotiation and contract management, with proven experience in international procurement.
• Proficient in cost analysis (TCO, should-cost analysis) and risk management.
• Strong analytical, attention to detail and problems-solving abilities.
• Strategic planning and execution, ensuring alignment with procurement objectives.
• Fluent in both English and French.
• Soft Skills
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to foster effective collaboration with diverse internal and external stakeholders.
• Strategic and visionary mindset, able to anticipate growth, identify key partners, and design scalable solutions to shape the future.
• Demonstrated leadership and a collaborative team-oriented approach.
• Exceptional organizational skills, capable of managing multiple priorities in fast-paced environments.
• High ethical standards and integrity, ensuring compliance and responsible decision-making.
• Resilient under pressure with a proven ability to meet tight deadlines.
• Working Conditions:
• This position may require occasional travel to supplier locations as well as to various sites operated by the group in France and internationally.
• Ability to work in a dynamic, fast-paced environment with shifting priorities.
• Compensation:
• Competitive salary and benefits package, commensurate with experience.
• Opportunities for professional development and career advancement.