Strategic Sourcing Leader - Contracts

Microsoft•Redmond, WA

4d•$116,900 - $222,600

About The Position

Microsoft Cloud Operations and Innovation (CO+I) is responsible for delivering over 200 Microsoft web portals, Live and Online Services, including infrastructure, security, compliance, operations, globalization, and manageability. The Global Supply Chain team within CO+I supports a portfolio of complex, multi-disciplinary, multi-billion, multi-year datacenter construction and lease projects, as well as the Operations team that manages and runs cloud assets. This role focuses on developing strategy and leading special projects strategic sourcing for brownfield projects in the data center space. Microsoft's mission is to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more, driven by values of respect, integrity, and accountability, fostering a culture of inclusion. As a Strategic Sourcing Contract Lead, you will play a critical role in ensuring the successful execution of contracts related to construction special projects in the region, collaborating with cross-functional teams, legal experts, and external stakeholders to execute and manage contractual agreements, mitigate risks, and drive contractor onboarding. Attention to detail, negotiation skills, and understanding complex contractual landscapes are essential.

Requirements

Bachelor's Degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Supply Chain, Data Analytics, Business, Finance or related field AND 6+ years’ experience (including internships) in Data Science/Analytics, Finance, Project Management, Supply Chain, and/or Operations OR Master’s degree in engineering, Computer Science, Supply Chain, Data Analytics, Business, Finance or related field AND 5+ years’ experience in Data Science/Analytics, Finance, Project Management, Supply Chain, and/or Operations OR equivalent experience.
10+ Years experience in Project Contract Management in Large Complex projects in the field.
Expertise in GC and AE contracts, with a proven track record of delivering complex projects.
Familiarity with commissioning standards (ASHRAE, NETA) and building codes.
Proven experience in negotiating various types of large-scale construction contracts through its lifecycle including BATNA and other methodologies in owners interest.
Proven experience managing various contract types; Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP), Stipulated Sum, Unit Rate Contracts, T&M, Incentive Fees, etc.
Ability to meet Microsoft, customer and/or government security screening requirements.
Microsoft Cloud Background Check: This position will be required to pass the Microsoft Cloud Background Check every two years thereafter.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor's Degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Supply Chain, Data Analytics, Business, Finance or related field AND 8+ years experience in Data Science/Analytics, Finance, Project Management, Supply Chain, and/or Operations OR Master's Degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Supply Chain, Data Analytics, Business, Finance or related field AND 7+ years experience in Data Science/Analytics, Finance, Project Management, Supply Chain, and/or Operations OR equivalent experience.
Hyperscale data center or large building construction experience in an owner or general contractor capacity.
Experience developing negotiating contract terms and conditions specifically for contracts related to services, construction, engineering, materials and equipment installation.
Understanding of entire life cycle of contracting principles and legal terms and conditions.
Detail-oriented with the ability to manage multiple contracts simultaneously.
Proficiency in contract management software and tools.
Ability to manage multiple stakeholders and deliver results.
Ability to build PBI reports.

Responsibilities

Leads contract and price negotiation activities for multiple purchasing categories cross-functionally, ensuring price, capacity, and strategic business needs are met, while reflecting Microsoft's cross-functional engagements with suppliers.
Identifies systematic and long-term cost reduction opportunities and works across stakeholder teams to drive cost competitiveness.
Leads collaboration with Legal and Corporate Affairs or global procurement team to negotiate Master Contract terms and conditions, independently.
Creates, maintains, and executes multi-year sourcing strategies for complex projects and/or purchasing opportunities, optimizing costs, ensuring continuity of supply and/or services, and driving benchmarking and alignment across Microsoft.
Works cross-functionally with senior stakeholders and consults with industry experts to inform strategy with a global view.
Leverages end-to-end sourcing and procurement expertise and benchmark data to identify, revise, and influence the definition of business requirements, manage conflicting priorities and tradeoffs, and resolve escalations to execute on sourcing strategies and solutions.
Integrates business specifications and sourcing strategies for complex purchasing areas into RFI and/or RFP processes.
Models operationally efficient supplier management practices and is accountable for strategic oversight of multi-tier supplier selection.
Manages and improves supplier evaluation frameworks, identifies gaps or trends across supplier strategic business and performance reviews, and drives corrective actions.
Partners with suppliers to drive innovation and improvement, transform operational capabilities, and proactively identify and manage risk.
Evaluates procedural, operational, and/or environmental factors across categories, accounting for key stakeholder relationships and dependencies, analyzing root causes of risks or issues, linking insights into improvement strategies, and influencing the adoption of needed improvements.
Oversee and manage all aspects of execution of GC, Cx,AE and other service contracts, ensuring compliance with terms and conditions.
Collaborate with legal, procurement, and project management teams to align contract execution with project objectives.
Serve as the primary point of contact for contractual matters related to GC, Cx, and AE projects for the region.
Support in Negotiating and issue GC contracts in alignment with project requirements and timelines for the region.
Identify and mitigate risks associated with contract formation, execution, ensuring project objectives are safeguarded.
Develop and implement risk management strategies to address contractual and operational challenges.
Coordinate with suppliers and Contractors for understanding their capacity and development of new contractors for the region.
Manage vendor relationships, addressing issues and ensuring high-quality outcomes.
Monitor and control budgets, ensuring expenditures remain within approved limits.
Manage the Change order and ensure proper change order management.
Prepare and submit reports, including forecasts and variance analyses.
Ensure compliance with relevant regulations, standards, and corporate policies.
Generate regular reports on contract performance, including progress updates and issue resolution.
Coordinate with cross-functional teams to align all activities with contract requirements.
Ensuring that the contracts are issued in the region in accordance with the standard and RFP’s.
Ensure that the contractors are Overseeing the startup and commissioning of systems per the Commissioning Plan of Record (CxPoR).
Ensure safety compliance during commissioning activities in collaboration with the General Contractor (GC).
Collaborate with sponsor teams, contractors, and leadership to facilitate communication and ensure on-time delivery of AE services.
Maintain accurate, up-to-date documentation of contracts, amendments, change orders, and correspondence.
Provide regular updates to stakeholders, including senior management, on contract performance and project progress.
Manager Sponsor team meetings with the contractors.
Drives business engagement and partnership with cross-functional teams including Planning, Strategic Sourcing, Cost Management, Engineering, Quality, Construction and Project Managers.
Drives commercial compliance and problem resolution with General Contractors, Subcontractors and Suppliers.
Actively partners with suppliers to identify and drive continuous improvement and risk management opportunities by evaluating procedural, operational, and/or environmental factors, analyzing root causes of issues, sharing insights with key stakeholders, and influencing the adoption of needed improvements.
Plan and manage the executive sponsor meeting with key stakeholders for the successful execution of the project.