Director, Advanced Cooling Category Management, NA

• Build and execute global category strategy for air and liquid cooling infrastructure aligned to capacity growth, reliability targets, and engineering standards

• Map global supply base by technology and region, establishing preferred supplier frameworks and regional execution models

• Lead sourcing and negotiations for mechanical equipment, including chillers, cooling towers, CDUs, pumps, and heat exchangers, as well as spares and service agreements

• Develop contracting strategies including indexed commodities, bundled equipment and installation, time-and-material vs fixed-price structures, warranties, and performance guarantees

• Partner with Engineering and Product to drive specification alignment, design-to-cost initiatives, and development of standard equipment building blocks and approved equipment libraries

• Coordinate with Quality and Commissioning to define acceptance criteria (FAT/SAT), documentation requirements, and change control processes

• Ensure supplier capacity planning for long-lead equipment and manage expediting, escalation, and recovery plans to mitigate schedule risk

• Lead supplier performance management including scorecards, QBRs, reliability tracking, corrective action programs, and continuous improvement initiatives

• Manage risks associated with cooling systems, including single-source exposure, regulatory impacts, extreme-weather resilience, and controls obsolescence

• Drive total cost of ownership improvements across energy efficiency, water usage, maintenance strategies, and lifecycle performance

• Develop cost models, should-cost benchmarks, and pricing frameworks for equipment, installation, and commissioning

• Maintain contract portfolios including framework agreements, service/maintenance agreements, warranty terms, and spares strategies

• Deliver supplier performance dashboards, risk registers, and executive-level insights on category performance and supply risks

• Additional duties as assigned by Management

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Supply Chain, or related field; equivalent experience considered

• 5+ years of experience in category management or sourcing within mechanical systems, HVAC, or capital equipment

• Working knowledge of advanced cooling technologies including air-cooled and water-cooled systems, pumping/hydronics, and liquid cooling architectures

• Experience with capital equipment procurement, contracting, and lifecycle cost analysis

• Strong negotiation, cost modeling, and supplier management expertise

• Ability to partner cross-functionally with engineering, construction, commissioning, and operations teams

• Experience managing supplier performance, reliability metrics, and risk mitigation strategies

• Understanding of commissioning, acceptance testing, and product lifecycle requirements for mechanical infrastructure

• Travel required is expected to be up to 20% but may increase over time as the business evolves

• Salary Range: $190,000-200,000 Base + Bonus (this range is based on Colorado market data and may vary in other locations)

• This position is eligible for company benefits including but not limited to medical, dental, and vision coverage, life and AD&D, short and long-term disability coverage, paid time off, employee assistance, participation in a 401k program that includes company match, and many other additional voluntary benefits.

• Compensation for the role will depend on a number of factors, including your qualifications, skills, competencies, and experience and may fall outside of the range shown.

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 . We'll be accepting applications for at least one week from the date this role is posted. If you're interested, we encourage you to apply soon - we're excited to find the right person and will keep the role open until we do! Originally posted on Himalayas