What are the responsibilities and job description for the Procurement Manager position at Lightedge?
LightEdge Solutions is developing the IT solutions that will propel businesses forward over the next 10 years. Using a combination of shared and private/dedicated platforms, LightEdge has been successful in offering businesses alternatives that streamline operations, improve reliability and reduce costs.If you are passionate about creating real solutions that help businesses with cutting-edge technology, want to be challenged to think out of the box and be in a position where you can impact change on a daily basis, then LightEdge can offer you a dynamic corporate environment built on teamwork and personal responsibility.LightEdge is undergoing a strategic transformation in how it manages suppliers, contracts, and procurement discipline across the organization. We are seeking a highly capable Procurement Manager who will play a critical role in maturing the procurement function, supporting major sourcing initiatives, and ensuring operational excellence across the purchasing lifecycle. The Procurement manager will work cross-functionally with different departments (IT, Operations, Facilities, Sales) to help re-condition and re-structure the organization with industry standard best practices, appropriate vendor etiquette and a matured Procurement Operations path forward.The ideal candidate has hands-on sourcing experience, strong commercial and contractual awareness, and the ability to operate in both strategic and tactical layers. This role will partner closely with IT, Data Center Operations, Facilities, Finance, Sales, and senior leadership, and the existing Lightedge supplier base.If you’re looking for an opportunity to help build a modern Procurement function from the ground up within a growing, technology-centric organization, this role offers exactly that. We are at an inflection point…….moving away from legacy, ad-hoc purchasing toward a structured, strategic procurement model. If you are a capable, motivated professional who values creating process, discipline, and structure (rather than being boxed into a rigid corporate template), you will thrive here. This is a chance to shape the foundation, influence how the organization operates, and play a meaningful role in establishing a high-impact procurement capability opportunity.ResponsibilitiesStrategic Sourcing & Vendor ManagementLead sourcing initiatives, RFIs, RFPs, vendor evaluations, and competitive bid events.Negotiate pricing, terms, SLAs, and commercial structures with key suppliers.Support strategic supplier consolidation and optimization efforts.Help develop category strategies for IT, data center services, hardware, software, facilities, and professional services. This will be done cross-functionally with Director of Strategic Procurement and the specific departments / operational groups.Contract & Commercial ManagementHelp draft and negotiate MSAs, SOWs, renewals, amendments, and pricing schedules.Ensure alignment with Lightedge contractual standards, legal requirements, compliance and risk posture.Maintain contract lifecycle visibility and proactively manage renewals. Help implement a contract lifecycle tool/system.Procurement OperationsOversee purchasing workflows, POs, quote management, order accuracy, and supplier performance.Partner with the Purchasing Specialist to ensure timely and accurate processing of all transactions.Implement procurement best practices, standard operating procedures, and governance controls.Cross-Functional CoordinationWork closely with Finance to support future budgeting, forecasting, and cost optimization.Partner with Operations and Engineering to ensure accurate specifications and fulfillment.Collaborate with the Director of Strategic Procurement on enterprise-level vendor strategy and high-impact negotiations.Inventory/recordkeeping accuracy (help business group build that muscle)Cross-department purchasing supportVendor communication basics Ability to work independently & prioritizeAttention to detail & multitaskingBasic reporting expectationsProcess Maturity & Continuous ImprovementHelp build procurement frameworks, intake processes, approval workflows, and policy enforcement.Strengthen internal compliance and supplier accountability.Support the long-term development of tools, reporting, and procurement KPIs.Experience:5–10 years of experience in procurement or sourcing, preferably in technology, data center, or IT services.Strong negotiation skills and commercial acumen.Experience drafting and reviewing contracts, SOWs, and vendor agreements.Familiarity with IT hardware/software categories, VARs, data center vendors, and cloud/managed service suppliers preferred.Comfort with analyzing spend data, vendor performance data, and procurement metrics. Candidate must have in-depth experience and knowledge with data analysis and excel.Ability to operate independently, manage multiple priorities, and influence cross-functional stakeholders in environments where processes and maturity is still evolving.High attention to detail and strong organizational skills.Experience with procurement systems (Coupa, ServiceNow, NetSuite, or similar) a plus.Comfort working in an evolving environment with limited existing structure—able to assess current processes, identify needs, prioritize effectively, and help build a more mature, scalable procurement function.CPSM or CPM certification a plus (preferred not a requirement)Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States without the need for visa sponsorship now or in the future.With over 20 years in business, LightEdge offers a full stack of best-in-class IT services delivering flexibility, security, and control. Our solutions include premier colocation across seven purpose-built data centers spanning Des Moines, IA, Kansas City, MO, Omaha, NE, Austin, TX, and Raleigh, NC, industry-leading private Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) and cloud platforms, and the top global security and compliance measures. Our owned and operated facilities, integrated DR solutions, and premium compliant cloud choices make up a true Hybrid Cloud Solution Center. LightEdge annually undergoes third-party audits for ISO 20000-1, ISO 27001, HIPAA, PCI-DSS 3.2, and SSAE 18 SOC 1 Type II, SOC 2 Type II and SOC 3.We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.
