Project Procurement Manager

Applied Digital; Ellendale (ND); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Applied Digital in Ellendale, North Dakota seeks a Construction Cost Control Manager to drive commercial performance across large-scale capital projects, focusing on cost management, change orders, budget oversight and contractor negotiations. This role partners with Construction, Finance, and Procurement to ensure budgets are controlled and value opportunities are pursued.

On-site presence is required 1–2 weeks per month.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years in construction cost management, commercial management, or related discipline.
• Experience with large-scale capital projects; multi-billion-dollar programs preferred.
• Strong understanding of construction contracts, GMP development, order management, and commercial negotiations.
• Experience working with General Contractors, subcontractors, and major suppliers.
• Proven ability to drive commercial value on large-scale projects, 2–5% budget impact.

Responsibilities

• Manage budgets for large-scale capital projects.
• Lead commercial reviews of GC estimates, GMPs, budget updates and cost forecasts.
• Challenge GC pricing, evaluate cost drivers, ensure pricing aligns with scope and contracts.
• Scrutinize change orders for pricing accuracy and contractual compliance.
• Identify and document cost savings, recoveries, and avoidance opportunities (2% target).
• Analyze cost trends, escalation impacts, and pricing assumptions.
• Develop cost benchmarking across projects, regions, and trades.
• Review contractor contingency usage, allowances, and budget transfers.
• Support executive reporting on budgets, forecasts, commitments, and risks.
• Identify and mitigate cost overruns through proactive commercial management.
• Support dispute resolution and contract negotiations related to costs.
• Partner with legal and project teams on contract negotiations and terms.

Skills

Cost management

Budget oversight

Commercial negotiations

Vendor management

Data analysis

Excel proficiency

GMP knowledge

Tools

Excel

Job description

At Applied Digital, we are the epicenter of AI innovation, crafting cutting-edge data center solutions tailored for the demands of high-performance computing. Designed from the ground up to support AI and machine learning workloads, our infrastructure is the backbone of tomorrow’s technological advancements, including AI-driven video and generative platforms.

We are:

• Forward-Thinkers: With a keen eye on current market trends and future innovations, we adapt swiftly and lead technological evolution.
• Resilient: We navigate complex challenges and emerge stronger, delivering robust and reliable solutions for industry pioneers.
• Innovative Designers: Leveraging the latest technologies, we create visionary solutions that redefine industry standards.

At Applied Digital, we are committed to solving intricate problems, advancing business initiatives, maximizing operational efficiency, and reducing our carbon footprint. We are a team of resilient, forward-thinking innovators driving the AI revolution.

Position Summary

The Construction Cost Control Manager is responsible for driving commercial performance across large-scale capital construction projects, with a primary focus on cost management, change order evaluation, budget oversight, General Contractor pricing review, and contractor commercial negotiations. This role serves as a critical partner to Construction, Finance, and Procurement teams to ensure project budgets are effectively managed, cost-saving and cost-recovery opportunities are identified, and procurement strategies support overall project objectives. Data center experience is strongly preferred.

Approximately two-thirds of the role is dedicated to cost management and commercial oversight, with the remaining one-third focused on procurement, sourcing, contract support, and invoice & vendor management.

This role has a direct reporting line to the Campus Director on site in Ellendale, North Dakota, with a dotted reporting line to the Cost Control Manager. The role requires on-site presence for 1-2 weeks per month, with full-time on-site presence preferred to support direct engagement with project teams, General Contractors, and field execution activities.

Key Responsibilities

Cost Management & Commercial Oversight

• Review, analyze, and manage large-scale capital project budgets.
• Lead commercial reviews of General Contractor estimates, GMPs, budget updates, and cost forecasts.
• Challenge General Contractor pricing assumptions, evaluate trade-level cost drivers, and ensure pricing aligns with scope, market conditions, and contract requirements.
• Scrutinize change orders to ensure pricing accuracy, contractual compliance, and value optimization.
• Identify, negotiate, and document cost savings, cost recovery, and cost avoidance opportunities across projects, with a minimum target of 2% budget impact.
• Analyze construction cost trends, market conditions, escalation impacts, and pricing assumptions.
• Develop cost benchmarking and comparative analyses across projects, regions, contractors, and trade packages.
• Review contractor contingency usage, allowances, and budget transfers.
• Support executive reporting related to project budgets, forecast accuracy, commitments, and cost risks.
• Identify and mitigate cost overruns through proactive commercial management.
• Support dispute resolution and commercial negotiations related to project cost impacts.

Procurement & Sourcing

• Partner with General Contractors to support sourcing strategies for on-site construction services, equipment, and major project packages, as needed.
• Support contractor and vendor selection processes, including RFP development, bid leveling, and commercial evaluations.
• Lead commercial negotiations with suppliers, contractors, and service providers.
• Evaluate procurement opportunities to create leverage, standardization, and volume pricing advantages across the portfolio.
• Support strategic sourcing, procurement execution, and inventory control needs when required.
• Partner with legal and project teams to support contract negotiations and commercial terms.
• Maintain strong vendor relationships and support ongoing supplier performance discussions.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years of experience in construction cost management, commercial management, project controls, or a related discipline.
• Experience supporting large-scale capital projects; experience with multi-billion-dollar programs strongly preferred.
• Strong understanding of construction contracts, GMP development, order management, and commercial negotiations.
• Experience working directly with General Contractors, subcontractors, and major suppliers.
• Proven ability to drive commercial value on large-scale construction projects, including a demonstrated track record of achieving approximately 2-5% budget impact through savings, recoveries, or avoidance.
• Strong analytical and financial skills with the ability to evaluate budgets, forecasts, estimates, and pricing models.
• Advanced proficiency in Excel and financial analysis tools.
• Ability to influence cross-functional teams and challenge assumptions constructively.

Preferred Experience

• Data center experience strongly preferred; hyperscale, industrial, mission-critical, energy, semiconductor, or large infrastructure project experience also relevant.
• Experience with procurement strategy, contractor sourcing, strategic sourcing, and inventory control.
• Knowledge of project controls, cost forecasting, earned value, or commercial management processes.
• Familiarity with construction industry cost databases and benchmarking methodologies.

Success Measures

• Reduction in approved change order costs.
• Achievement of at least 2% budget impact through documented cost savings, cost recoveries, or cost avoidance.
• Forecast accuracy against approved budgets.
• Procurement savings and portfolio-level cost optimization.
• Successful commercial management of large-scale capital programs.
• Effective collaboration with Development, Construction, Finance, and Procurement teams.