Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Engineering, Construction Management, Business, or related field.
15+ years in supply chain, procurement, or category management, with 8+ years in data center or mission-critical infrastructure.
Strong knowledge of mechanical and thermal infrastructure in data centers, including chillers and integrated plant skids.
Proven experience negotiating capacity reservations and long-term agreements with OEMs and integrators.
Experience managing OFCI equipment through manufacturing, testing, delivery, and turnover.
Strong data modeling skills, with proficiency in AI and analytics for forecasting.
Excellent executive communication and relationship management skills.
Responsibilities
Develop and own the multi-year category strategy aligned with portfolio growth.
Serve as the expert on the category supply base, including emerging suppliers.
Partner with Engineering and Site teams to identify viable supply solutions.
Lead RFx processes and negotiate supply agreements and capacity reservations.
Build and maintain category data sets for demand and supplier capacity.
Manage executive-level relationships with OEMs and manufacturers for performance reviews.
Identify and mitigate risks related to supply chain and regulatory trends.
Benefits
Opportunity to lead and shape a high-impact category strategy.
Access to cutting-edge technology and AI-enabled analytics.
Collaborative work environment with cross-functional teams.
Potential for career advancement in a high-growth company.
Engagement with leading suppliers and manufacturers in the industry.
Full Job Description
Responsibilities
Related Digital is seeking a Sr. Director - Mechanical OFCI to lead the category strategy, sourcing, and delivery of mechanical Owner-Furnished Contractor-Installed (OFCI) equipment, integrated equipment, and modular skids across our data center portfolio. This senior role sits on the Supply Chain team and reports to the SVP of Procurement and Supply Chain.
The Sr. Director is the category lead for thermal and cooling infrastructure and the foremost expert on its supply base, including emerging suppliers. The role works in partnership with the SVP of Procurement and Supply Chain, Engineering partners, and Site teams to secure the capacity needed to meet portfolio targets, delivered on time, at quality, and at competitive cost. The role will also build and define the category team.
Responsibilities
Category Strategy & Supply Base
Develop and own the multi-year category strategy in partnership with the SVP, aligned to portfolio growth and capacity targets.
Serve as the foremost expert on the category supply base, including established and emerging suppliers, technologies, and capacity.
Partner with Engineering and Site teams to determine the most viable supply solutions, balancing design, capacity, lead time, and cost.
Support portfolio standards and preferred supplier strategies that improve repeatability and scalability.
Sourcing & Commercial Agreements
Lead RFx, negotiation, and award of supply agreements, capacity reservations, and long-term commitments.
Maintain competitive pricing and manage commodity, tariff, and other supply chain risks.
Category Data & Scenario Modeling
Build and maintain category data sets covering demand, supplier capacity, lead times, and cost.
Use them to model capacity and cost scenarios and inform sourcing and delivery decisions.
Supplier Management & Delivery Assurance
Own executive-level relationships with OEMs, manufacturers, and integrators, including performance reviews and corrective action.
Maintain visibility into manufacturing progress and delivery commitments.
Proactively and reactively manage delivery timing changes, and mitigate schedule impacts through supplier relationship management.
Participate in FAT/FWT planning and readiness with Engineering and Commissioning to prevent quality and schedule issues.
Risk Management
Identify and mitigate capacity, single-source, Tier-2, geopolitical, and regulatory risks, including dual-sourcing and regional manufacturing strategies.
Monitor market, commodity, and regulatory trends (e.g., refrigerant transitions) and advise leadership.
Team & Technology
Define the category team structure, then hire, lead, and develop the team.
Champion AI-enabled analytics and automation to improve forecasting and visibility.
Example Equipment Categories
Chillers
CRAH and Fan Wall Units
Dry Coolers
Integrated Cooling Plant Skids
Coolant Distribution Units (CDUs)
Hot Aisle Containment
Thermal Energy Storage Tanks
Cooling Towers, Pumps, and Heat Exchangers
Water Treatment Systems
Modular Mechanical Assemblies
Success Measures
On-time delivery at quality
Capacity secured versus portfolio demand
Competitive cost versus market
Supplier performance
Forecast and scenario accuracy
Commissioning and turnover readiness
Team build-out
Qualifications
Required Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Engineering, Construction Management, Business, or a related field.
15+ years in supply chain, procurement, or category management, including 8+ years in data center or other mission critical infrastructure.
Strong knowledge of data center mechanical and thermal infrastructure, including chillers, CRAH/fan wall units, dry coolers, CDUs, liquid cooling, containment, and integrated plant skids.
Proven record negotiating capacity reservations and long-term agreements with OEMs and integrators.
Experience managing OFCI equipment through manufacturing, testing, delivery, and turnover.
Experience building and leading teams in a high-growth environment.
Strong data and scenario modeling skills, with the ability to apply AI, LLMs, and analytics to improve forecasting and visibility.
Strong executive communication and relationship management skills.
Preferred Qualifications
Hyperscale or colocation data center experience.
MBA or advanced degree in engineering or a quantitative discipline.
Certifications such as CPSM, CSCP, PMP, or equivalent.
Proficiency with Power BI, Excel, Procore, Smartsheet, and related tools.
Willingness to travel to manufacturers, suppliers, and sites.
Traits
Strategic thinker with strong analytical ability.
Credible, assertive negotiator who builds long-term partnerships.
Operational discipline and a proactive approach to risk.