Microsoft Cloud Infrastructure and Operations is the engine that powers Microsoft's cloud services. The team is responsible for designing, building and operating our unified global datacenters; managing the demand planning and capacity utilization of our unified infrastructure; and responsible for all of the operations needed to run the physical infrastructure (including supply chain, hardware, power, security, and workflow teams). We focus on smart growth with an emphasis on automation, data driven engineering, cost-effectiveness and environmental sustainability.
We deliver the core infrastructure and foundational technologies for Microsoft's over 200 online businesses including Bing, MSN, Office 365, Xbox Live, Skype, OneDrive and the Microsoft Azure platform. Our infrastructure is comprised of a large global portfolio of more than 100 datacenters and 1 million servers. Our portfolio is built and managed by a team of subject matter experts working 24x7x365 to support services for more than 1 billion customers and 20 million businesses in over 90 countries worldwide.
Strategic Sourcing is responsible to help determine the best technology that drives the lowest TCO to support Microsoft’s Cloud Infrastructure. In this role you have the opportunity to make an impact in the selection and optimization of the Network Hardware that makes the Cloud Infrastructure a competitive advantage for Microsoft.
The specific roles and responsibilities of the position include:
• You will own the responsibility to develop an overall sourcing strategy for acquisition of network hardware and related maintenance services.
• You will own driving the supplier selection process in support of our global deployment and operations processes.
• Ensure global competitive environment and supplier procurement strategies are in place.
• You will analyze industry trends and evolving technology to proactively identify supply base issues to reduce cost, minimize risk, protect continuity of supply, and exploit emerging opportunities that benefit Microsoft.
• You will identify, negotiate and close contracts with suppliers and vendors in tandem with business, technical and legal teams.
• You must be able to work collaboratively with a variety of constituents including online service and MCIO engineering groups as well as with many constituents from initial qualification to end-of-life.
• You will be held accountable for achieving commitments on total cost results, quality and compliance adherence, and on-time delivery.
• You will communicate progress proactively and timely to many levels of the business hierarchy (engineers, finance, executive management, etc.)
Skills and Qualifications:
• Strong combination of business and technical knowledge base, including expertise in market analysis to dissect market size, players, customers, growth, technology replacements /forecasts, pricing trends, etc. to formulate sourcing strategies, particularly for specific spend commodities.
• Self-starter and results orientation with proven engineering and/or operational experience with switches, routers, WDM systems.
• Team player with deep cross-group collaboration and project management skills, with experience developing efficient work plans for complex projects involving many groups, and the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Exceptional leadership, particularly in complex, international, and cross functional teams worldwide.
• Advanced conceptual, analytical, and problem-solving abilities.
• Ability to manage challenging expectations effectively and resolve conflicts efficiently.
• Exceptional interpersonal and communications (verbal and written) skills.
• Relentless drive to overachieve and no excuses professional. Strong business acumen and entrepreneurial, hands-on spirit.
Experience Required:
• Five years of experience with demonstrated excellence in strategic negotiations and/or business development obtaining services from high-technology providers globally, preferably with large scale investments (multi hundred million portfolio).
• Strong business case development, analysis and problem solving skills.
• Bachelor's degree in engineering or business
Microsoft is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religion, national origin, marital status, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other protected status.