Responsibilities:

Supports and contributes to the full lifecycle of contracting and vendor management for Netherlands Data Center operations. Assists in developing and improving contracting processes, templates, and governance frameworks to ensure compliance with organizational standards and regulatory requirements.

Collaborates with stakeholders to define contract performance metrics, success criteria, and compliance measures. Tracks and reports on contract execution, financial performance, and resource allocation to support strategic decision-making.

Partners with internal teams to design and implement communication and rollout plans for new or updated contracting initiatives, ensuring alignment with business priorities and operational goals.

Provides support for managing a portfolio of contracts and related projects, including timelines, milestones, and budget oversight. Demonstrates an understanding of how contract terms and obligations impact interconnected systems, workflows, and service delivery.

Contributes to cost-benefit analyses and risk assessments to evaluate vendor performance against value drivers.

With minimal guidance, applies strategic direction from leadership to execute plans that align contracting priorities with evolving organizational objectives. Influences stakeholders to adopt new processes and behaviors that drive efficiency, compliance, and value creation across the Data Center operations landscape.

Capabilities / Skills

Applying Critical Judgment: Assess risks in vendor contracts, scrutinize terms and compliance requirements, and resolve complex procurement issues to support strategic decision-making and mitigate operational risks.

Detail Orientation: Ensure accuracy and completeness in contract documentation, purchase orders, and compliance records; track and verify details across multiple systems and sources.

Judgment & Risk Analysis: Compare and analyze supplier proposals, pricing models, and compliance data to draw valid conclusions and recommend the best contracting approach.

Problem Solving: Identify procurement or compliance issues, evaluate alternatives, and implement solutions that align with operational and financial objectives.

Communicating & Influencing with Agility: Present contracting strategies clearly, influence stakeholders, and adapt messaging for diverse audiences in a fast-changing operational environment.

Demonstrating Business Impact: Use data-driven insights and persuasive communication to highlight the value of compliant, cost-effective contracting strategies for Data Center operations.

Enhancing Process Quality & Efficiency: Drive operational excellence by improving procurement workflows, ensuring adherence to compliance standards, and fostering continuous improvement in contracting processes

Required/minimum qualifications

Bachelor's Degree in Business, Operations, Finance, Engineering or related field AND 2+ years experience in program management, business management, process management, process improvement OR equivalent experience. Additional or preferred qualifications

Master's Degree in Business, Operations, Finance, or related field AND 3+ years experience in program management, process management, or process improvement OR Bachelor's Degree in Business, Operations, Finance, or related field AND 5+ years experience in program management, process management, or process improvement OR equivalent experience.

Experience in operations-heavy and mission-critical environments, such as data centers, manufacturing, oil & gas, semiconductors, or power & energy sectors.

Background Check Requirements: Ability to meet Microsoft, customer and/or government security screening requirements are required for this role. These requirements include, but are not limited to the following specialized security screenings:

Microsoft Cloud Background Check: This position will be required to pass the Microsoft Cloud background check upon hire/transfer and every two years thereafter.

While not required, we also look for the following Preferred Qualifications:

2+ years experience in Critical Environment infrastructures (e.g., UPS, Generator, AHU) or working in physical IT infrastructures (e.g., Servers, SANs, Networking, Capacity, DC Rack/Enclosures, structured cabling).

Technical College degree in Computer Science, Math, Telecommunications, Electrical/Mechanical Engineering or related field.

Applicable certifications: ASICS/Inventory Control, CompTIA, Microsoft, Network Certifications, PMP, ITIL, CDCP.

2+ years experience with critical environment maintenance and repair cost management

2+ years experience with industry program and project management skills

2+ years experience working with collaboration platforms (e.g. SharePoint, MS Teams etc.)

2+ years experience with reporting and data analysis systems & platforms (e.g. PowerBI)

Microsoft is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, color, family or medical care leave, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, national origin, physical or mental disability, political affiliation, protected veteran status, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws, regulations and ordinances. We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. If you need assistance and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application or the recruiting process, please send a request via the Accommodation request form.

Benefits/perks listed below may vary depending on the nature of your employment with Microsoft and the country where you work.

This position will be open for a minimum of 5 days, with applications accepted on an ongoing basis until the position is filled.

Microsoft is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, citizenship, color, family or medical care leave, gender identity or expression, genetic information, immigration status, marital status, medical condition, national origin, physical or mental disability, political affiliation, protected veteran or military status, race, ethnicity, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable local laws, regulations and ordinances. If you need assistance with religious accommodations and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application process, read more about requesting accommodations.