About Vantage Data Centers
Vantage is committed to being a workplace of inclusion, equity, respect and acceptance. We celebrate diversity and intentionally seek out opportunities to learn from one another’s experience.
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 EMEA Services Procurement
The EMEA Services Procurement Team is an enabling function that provides procurement support for 3rd party services across the full delivery lifecycle and operations. The key categories we support are Design, Consultancy, General Contractors, Power Substation Build, Facilities Management and ongoing support and maintenance services. We are a team of 18 full-time employees, supporting projects and sites across the growing EMEA portfolio.
EMEA Services Procurement is part of the Vantage Global Procurement team which provides Services and OFCI Equipment procurement for our 3 regions: North America, EMEA and APAC.
Position Overview
Reporting to the regional director of GC & Power, the Pricing Specialist will be responsible for negotiating services, materials, CFCI, and subcontractor costs to ensure the company secures value for money and coordinating with the Commercial and Estimating function to analyse and benchmark supplier data.
In this position you will work closely with delivery teams, site operations, the estimating and commercial central function and suppliers. You will assess and understand the business need/requirements and develop effective commercial and pricing strategies that are competitive and drive cost certainty. You will work with the Procurement team to assess supplier pricing bids, identify cost saving opportunities and maintain strong knowledge of the market. You will also work closely with the Commercial team to support post-contract changes and commercial impact.
In addition to supporting individual projects and sites, you will be a key contributor to the VDC EMEA Cost Optimisation Programme to identify strategic cost savings opportunities in our capex and opex spend over the short, medium and long term.
Essential Job Functions
1. Review the evaluation and base lining of the main elements of CSA & MEPF scope through a review of historic costs (18-24 months) on builds in different countries across the EMEA Region.
2. Support the rollout and implementation and provide insights and assurance on methodology and the quality of the information
3. Co-ordinating the implementation & assisting with the negotiation of MEP Framework and supplier Manufacturing Agreements to drive allocation of contractors by Preferred Supplier Agreements across the EMEA Region.
4. Align project scope and packages for build projects across EMEA and identify scope gaps between packages.
5. Review all Change orders on previous builds and identify and address the scope gaps to ensure alignment and inclusion in Supplier Agreements for future builds. Inform estimating for feedback into budgets
6. Align with Commercial the Estimating Central Functions Management on budget cycles and cost estimates of all projects across the EMEA Region.
7. Provide strategic commercial data to allow informed negotiation with the contractors during tenders and post-contract change orders. With insights shared with central Estimating and Commercial function.
8. Core team member of the VDC Cost Optimisation Programme to identify and implement strategic cost saving initiatives
Duties
9. Pricing Analysis & Cost Estimation:Supplemental support, input and audit the established benchmark costs for key work packages in each region.Research and analyze material, equipment, and subcontractor costs and report findings to estimating team,Develop internal review process with relevant teams prior to sharing findings with Senior Leadership Team.Support the preparation of cost estimates for project budgets.Evaluate market trends, supply chain fluctuations, and price forecasts to optimize procurement strategies. Estimating team will support this initiative for the preparation of market data reports to SLT.
10. Procurement Strategy & Process Optimization:Collaborate with procurement teams, central commercial managers and delivery teams to align pricing strategies with project budgets.Support the development of procurement plans to enable successful project delivery.Identify cost-saving opportunities and value engineering solutions without compromising quality.
11. Tenders and Post Contract Support:Assist the Commercial Function to analyse supplier bids, and ensure accurate, comprehensive and comparable cost data.Support Commercial team to assess post contract change requests to ensure they represent value for money.Implement mitigation strategies to avoid cost increases.Develop commercial models that will encourage project success within budget.
12. Cost Optimisation ProgrammeKey contributor to the Cost Optimisation Programme to identify and implement strategic cost saving opportunities.Identify opportunities and drive realisation of significant year on year cost savings across the portfolio.
13. Data Management & Reporting:Drive the maintenance of pricing databases, supplier records, and cost trend reports.Work with the Commarcial team to provide regular updates on cost fluctuations and procurement insights to stakeholders.Identify industry trends and risks that can result in cost increases.
Job Requirements
14. Bachelor’s degree in Quantity Surveying, Construction Management, or a related field.
15. 15+ years of experience in procurement, cost estimation, or pricing analysis in Datacentre or complex infrastructure construction industry.
16. Pricing / commercial knowledge and expertise in Europe and UK.
17. Demonstrated track record of delivering year on year cost avoidance and cost reduction savings.
18. Strong knowledge of procurement, commercial and negotiating techniques along with standard construction contract terms & conditions;
19. Strong knowledge of local markets, with an established network
20. Strong negotiation and analytical skills.
21. Knowledge of construction materials, contracts, and bid processes.
22. Proficiency in procurement software and Microsoft Excel.
23. Excellent planning and organization skills with the ability to manage conflicting priorities and meet tight deadlines
24. Excellent communication and problem-solving abilities
25. Assertive and confident and able to quickly build a high level of personal and professional credibility within the business and customer base, demonstrating strong commercial and financial acumen
26. Nice to Have: experience as a Quantity Surveyor
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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.