Location: Bay Area/San Francisco, CA (will consider remote applicants)

Crane Data Centers Inc. (“Crane”) is seeking a Strategic Sourcing Manager. In this critical role, you will oversee and execute supply chain operations to ensure the timely and cost-effective delivery of essential data center equipment, driving the resilience and exceptional performance of Crane's data centers. The ideal candidate will have experience in contract negotiation, procurement, financial analysis, and contract management, particularly in the data center industry. This role will involve close collaboration with various internal and external teams to establish best-in-class procurement strategies, manage existing vendor relationships, establish new vendor relationships, create contractual frameworks, and manage contract negotiation, execution, and ongoing relationships efficiently to optimize Crane’s procurement processes. 

Key Responsibilities

• Responsible for overall procurement strategy
• Conduct financial analysis related to procurement activities, including cost-benefit analysis, budgeting, and forecasting
• Oversee the negotiation, financial analysis, risk analysis, drafting, and execution of new vendor contracts, ensuring favorable commercial terms, risk mitigation, and alignment with business goals
• Review and evaluate existing contracts to ensure compliance with company policies and legal requirements
• Manage the lifecycle of procurement contracts, including tracking deadlines, renewals, and obligations
• Collaborate with internal and external teams to resolve any disputes or issues related to contracts
• Build and maintain strong relationships with vendors and suppliers to ensure smooth contract execution and performance
• Ensure compliance with key performance indicators (KPIs), service level agreements (SLAs), and other contractual terms
• Track and report procurement expenditures, ensuring budgets are adhered to and financial goals are met
• Support the preparation of procurement-related financial reports for management and stakeholders
• Identify opportunities for cost savings and process improvements within the procurement function

Qualifications & Experience:

• 5-7+ years of experience in procurement, contract management, and finance analysis
• Experience in the data center industry, cloud services, telecom, or similar technology-driven sectors is highly desirable
• Experience managing large-scale/complicated vendor contracts, particularly in IT infrastructure or data centers
• Proven experience in data center equipment analysis and selection, supplier negotiations, MSAs, SOWs, etc.
• Experience working in agile organizations and ability to build new processes and approaches to solve business issues
• Demonstrated ability to proactively problem solve

Preferred Experience

• Familiarity with contract management systems (CMS) and ERP software
• Ability to build and maintain financial models
• Knowledge of procurement and supply chain best practices within the data center industry
• Direct experience partnering with C-suite executives and working with data center suppliers

Skills

• Strong understanding of contract negotiation and procurement processes
• Strong financial analysis skills, including financial trade-off analysis, budgeting, forecasting, and cost optimization
• Strong technical skills to understand the characteristics of data center equipment 
• Ability to manage multiple contracts and vendor relationships simultaneously
• Knowledge of procurement software, ERP systems, and contract management tools
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to liaise with internal teams, vendors, and stakeholders
• Strong attention to detail, organizational skills, and the ability to meet deadlines under pressure

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Management, Supply Chain Management, Procurement, Finance, or a related field
• Electrical engineering or mechanical engineering degree preferred
• Program management certifications such as PMP preferred
• Certifications such as CIPS, CPSM, or similar procurement qualifications are advantageous

What we can offer you

This is an exciting time to join our fast-paced startup and you’ll be part of a supportive and inclusive environment. As part of Crane’s core team, you’ll get to work cross-functionally, challenge the way we do things, and put your ideas into action.

Crane offers a competitive compensation package, benefits, and an environment that recognizes and rewards your contributions. Crane prides itself on helping team members thrive in their work and life. As a result, Crane believes that each member of the team is a valuable part of the organization and offers a comprehensive compensation package that reflects this value. As an employee of Crane, you will enjoy: unlimited time off, paid holidays, parental leave, and competitive equity options that ensure a meaningful stake in Crane’s future success. 

Crane is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veterans status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.

Notes

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. Crane is not responsible for any fees related to unsolicited referrals.

About Us

Headquartered in San Francisco, Crane was founded after recognizing the need for a new, more sustainable approach to developing and operating data centers. As both hyperscale data center developers and former buyers of capacity, our team has a unique perspective on innovation and design. We put our clients first and offer flexible, sustainable, data center capacity when and where they need it most. 

Learn more at cranedc.com.