Procurement Director

This position is listed on behalf of a partner company, who manages all applications and next steps. Our partner is looking for a Procurement Director based in Italy. This is a senior regional procurement leadership role responsible for the full EMEA procurement portfolio within a fast-growing AI infrastructure environment. You will lead the regional Category Management team and establish consistent sourcing standards across major infrastructure and technology spend categories. The role combines strategic procurement leadership with hands-on ownership of project procurement planning and supplier relationships. You will work closely with delivery, project controls, legal, and project procurement teams to align sourcing with critical project milestones. A key focus will be securing long-lead, capital-intensive equipment and managing supply chain risks before they affect delivery. This is an opportunity to build scalable procurement capabilities across a rapidly expanding infrastructure portfolio while partnering with senior stakeholders across the organization.

Lead the EMEA Category Management team, overseeing category strategy execution across key spend areas including long-lead equipment, MEP, whitespace, modular and prefabricated packages, consultants, and associated services. Develop and maintain preferred supplier partnerships across the region, while leading supplier relationship management and ensuring strong commercial performance. Implement global sourcing standards, procurement policies, and end-to-end procurement processes across the EMEA region, escalating proposed exceptions through the appropriate global procurement leadership. Own procurement plans for active projects across the EMEA portfolio, ensuring sourcing strategies align with work packages, project sequencing, and delivery schedules. Secure critical long-lead equipment, including transformers, switchgear, generators, chillers, and cooling infrastructure, while identifying and escalating schedule-critical supply risks at an early stage. Lead negotiations for regional supply and framework agreements in close collaboration with procurement legal counsel. Provide functional leadership to project procurement leads embedded within EMEA project teams, setting standards for quality and delivery while supporting their professional development. Partner with regional and project delivery leaders and project controls teams to ensure procurement activities remain aligned with project stage gates and delivery requirements. Provide clear regional visibility on supplier spend, procurement risks, commitments, and performance for senior procurement and global delivery reporting. Requirements 10+ years of procurement experience within data centers, energy, major infrastructure, or large-scale construction environments. Strong understanding of EMEA supply chains, supplier landscapes, and vendor markets. Proven experience leading Category Management teams and establishing consistent sourcing standards and procurement discipline. Demonstrated experience negotiating master service agreements, framework agreements, and complex commercial arrangements with OEMs and suppliers of long-lead, capital-intensive equipment. Experience working within a matrix organization, balancing functional procurement standards with project-specific delivery requirements. Strong commercial and contractual understanding, with the ability to work effectively alongside legal counsel on complex agreements and negotiations. Excellent communication, reporting, stakeholder management, and influencing skills, particularly when engaging with senior leaders. A collaborative, pragmatic approach and the ability to build effective processes and teams in a rapidly evolving environment. Benefits Competitive salary based on the scope and contribution of the role rather than previous compensation. Equity participation, providing an opportunity to share in the organization's long-term success. Retirement or pension contributions. Comprehensive healthcare, wellbeing, and insurance benefits. Generous annual vacation allowance. A supportive environment designed to encourage professional growth, ownership, and meaningful impact. Benefits tailored to the local market and applicable employment regulations.

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