MalaceHR is seeking an experienced Procurement / Long-Lead Equipment (LLE) Manager to support large-scale data center and mission-critical construction programs.

This role will be responsible for developing and managing procurement strategies for critical equipment and materials, with a particular focus on long-lead electrical and mechanical systems. The Procurement / LLE Manager will work closely with project management, engineering, design, construction, project controls, cost management, vendors, manufacturers, logistics providers, and client stakeholders to ensure critical equipment is procured, manufactured, delivered, and installed in alignment with project schedules.

The ideal candidate will have strong procurement and supply chain experience within complex capital construction environments and a solid understanding of mission-critical equipment, vendor management, manufacturing lead times, and schedule risk.

Key Responsibilities

Lead procurement activities for long-lead equipment and major construction packages supporting data center projects.
Develop procurement strategies aligned with project schedules, design requirements, budgets, and construction sequencing.
Identify critical long-lead equipment early in the project lifecycle and develop procurement plans to mitigate schedule risk.
Coordinate procurement activities from initial sourcing through purchase order issuance, manufacturing, delivery, installation, and closeout.
Partner with design and engineering teams to ensure equipment specifications and technical requirements are complete before procurement.
Coordinate with project controls and scheduling teams to integrate procurement milestones into the overall project schedule.
Track vendor lead times, manufacturing durations, submittals, approvals, testing, shipping, and delivery milestones.
Identify procurement risks and develop mitigation and recovery plans.
Maintain procurement trackers, equipment logs, vendor status reports, and executive-level updates.
Support procurement forecasting and cash flow planning.
Manage multiple equipment packages and vendor relationships across concurrent projects.
Ensure procurement activities remain aligned with project budget, schedule, quality, and technical requirements.
Support standardization of procurement processes and long-lead equipment tracking across programs.

Long-Lead Equipment Management

Manage procurement and tracking of critical data center equipment, which may include:

Utility transformers
Medium- and low-voltage switchgear
Switchboards
UPS systems
Battery systems
Emergency generators
Automatic transfer switches
Busway and power distribution equipment
Chillers
Cooling towers
Air handling units
Pumps and heat exchangers
CRAH / CRAC equipment
Mechanical skids
Controls systems
Building automation components
Fire protection and life safety equipment
Other major electrical and mechanical infrastructure
Develop and maintain detailed LLE trackers for each equipment package.
Monitor fabrication schedules and vendor production milestones.
Coordinate submittal approvals to prevent manufacturing delays.
Track equipment release dates, factory testing, shipment, delivery, and installation readiness.
Identify manufacturing or supply chain constraints and escalate potential impacts.
Develop mitigation strategies for delayed equipment, including resequencing, alternate sourcing, or expedited delivery.
Coordinate equipment delivery dates with site readiness and construction activities.
Support phased equipment procurement and delivery strategies.

Supplier & Vendor Management

Identify, evaluate, and manage qualified suppliers and manufacturers.
Support vendor prequalification and bid evaluations.
Coordinate requests for proposals, quotations, and commercial evaluations.
Lead or support vendor negotiations related to pricing, lead times, terms, and delivery.
Review supplier proposals for commercial completeness and alignment with project requirements.
Maintain strong relationships with key equipment manufacturers and suppliers.
Conduct regular vendor status and production meetings.
Track supplier commitments and hold vendors accountable to contractual milestones.
Escalate vendor performance issues and coordinate corrective actions.
Support supplier performance evaluations and lessons-learned reviews.

Procurement & Commercial Coordination

Support development and issuance of purchase orders and procurement agreements.
Coordinate with commercial and contract management teams on terms, conditions, and contractual requirements.
Track committed costs, approved values, change orders, and procurement exposure.
Support cost comparisons, bid leveling, and procurement recommendations.
Review vendor change requests and commercial impacts.
Support payment milestone verification and invoice review.
Coordinate procurement activities with cost management and financial reporting teams.
Maintain accurate documentation related to procurement decisions and vendor commitments.

Design & Engineering Coordination

Coordinate with design teams to ensure equipment requirements are defined early enough to support procurement.
Track technical submittals, reviews, approvals, and design revisions.
Support early-release procurement packages when required.
Ensure vendor data is incorporated into project design documentation.
Coordinate equipment dimensions, loads, connection requirements, access, and maintenance clearances.
Support value engineering and alternate equipment evaluations.
Communicate vendor-driven design changes to affected project teams.
Coordinate with Design Integration Managers to resolve equipment interface issues.

Scheduling & Project Controls

Integrate procurement milestones into project schedules.
Track critical path equipment and material delivery dates.
Coordinate with Lead Schedulers and Project Controls Managers on procurement status and schedule risk.
Support development of procurement look-ahead schedules.
Identify potential schedule impacts related to manufacturing, shipping, customs, or site delivery.
Provide regular updates on equipment status, forecast dates, and risk exposure.
Support recovery planning when procurement activities fall behind schedule.

Logistics & Delivery Coordination

Coordinate transportation, delivery, storage, and site receipt of major equipment.
Support logistics planning for oversized or specialized equipment.
Coordinate with site teams to confirm delivery access and laydown requirements.
Track shipping documentation and delivery schedules.
Coordinate equipment storage and protection requirements.
Support site receipt inspections and documentation.
Ensure major equipment deliveries align with construction sequencing.
Assist with resolution of damaged, incomplete, or incorrect shipments.

Testing & Commissioning Support

Coordinate Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT) requirements and schedules.
Support witness testing where required.
Ensure testing documentation is complete before shipment.
Coordinate equipment turnover requirements with commissioning teams.
Track startup and commissioning dependencies associated with long-lead equipment.
Assist with resolution of vendor issues identified during installation or commissioning.
Ensure vendor representatives are available for startup and technical support when required.

Required Qualifications

5+ years of experience in procurement, supply chain, sourcing, construction management, project management, or a related field.
Experience procuring major equipment or materials for complex capital projects.
Strong understanding of procurement processes, vendor management, and supply chain coordination.
Experience managing long-lead equipment schedules and vendor milestones.
Strong commercial and negotiation skills.
Experience reviewing supplier proposals, purchase orders, and commercial terms.
Ability to manage multiple equipment packages and suppliers simultaneously.
Strong organizational and analytical skills.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Ability to work effectively with engineering, construction, project controls, commercial, and vendor teams.
Strong understanding of schedule and procurement risk.
Proficiency with Microsoft Excel and procurement tracking tools.
Ability to work in a fast-paced, deadline-driven construction environment.

Preferred Qualifications

Previous experience within data center, mission-critical, semiconductor, industrial, or advanced technology construction environments.
Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Construction Management, Engineering, Business Administration, or a related discipline.
Experience procuring mission-critical electrical and mechanical equipment.
Strong familiarity with transformers, switchgear, UPS systems, generators, chillers, and other long-lead infrastructure.
Experience with equipment manufacturing and fabrication schedules.
Familiarity with Factory Acceptance Testing and equipment commissioning.
Experience with global sourcing and international suppliers.
Experience with logistics, freight, customs, and oversized equipment transportation.
Familiarity with procurement and ERP platforms.
Experience with Smartsheet, Power BI, or similar reporting tools.
Professional certifications such as CPSM, CPM, PMP, or related credentials are a plus.

Procurement / LLE Manager – Data Center