Who we are

Ilkari is a privately-held start-up based in Dublin, Ireland. We deliver hyper-private scale innovation and technology to safeguard and secure data, enabling true data sovereignty even as the pace of change accelerates. Our best-in-breed sovereign technology delivers privacy and control over where companies’ data resides, where it flows, and how it’s accessed.

We’re here to rewrite the story of data sovereignty – empowering innovators, pioneers and visionaries to make their mark. We believe the sky is not the limit. We strive for the perfect balance of simplicity and excellence in everything we do, and we’re looking for people who are ready to join our journey and rewrite the story of data sovereignty.

Role overview

The Head of Procurement leads all procurement activity across Ilkari's global operations, covering strategic infrastructure, data centre and corporate spend categories. This is a senior, hands-on leadership role that combines deep commercial expertise with a strong understanding of technology and infrastructure environments.

Reporting to the CFO, the role acts as the primary procurement authority across our operations in Ireland, Colombia, Spain, the UK, Iceland and Croatia. The successful candidate will build and embed a scalable procurement capability driving cost discipline, supplier resilience and contract quality while providing responsive, practical support to stakeholders across Finance, Product and Technology, Commercial and DC Operations & Business Operations.

This is a high-impact position for a commercially minded professional who thrives in a dynamic, international environment and wants to build and shape procurement from the ground up.

What you'll do

Procurement strategy & governance

• Design and implement Ilkari’s procurement strategy, policies and approval frameworks, aligned to group governance standards and growth objectives.

• Act as the senior procurement adviser to the Group CFO and leadership team on sourcing priorities, supplier strategy and commercial risk.

• Lead the build-out of a scalable procurement function, including processes, controls, reporting and, where applicable, management of procurement staff or specialist support.

• Ensure all procurement activity complies with delegated authorities, legal requirements and best practice standards.

Sourcing & Category Management

• Lead end-to-end sourcing, tendering, evaluation and negotiation for server, storage, networking, security, racking, cabling, power, cooling and other data centre and infrastructure categories.

• Manage corporate and operational spend categories, providing timely purchasing support across the Group.

• Stay current with vendor developments, pricing models, licensing structures, warranty terms and market trends relevant to Ilkari’s operations.

• Benchmark pricing, analyse spend, identify savings opportunities and recommend improvements in total cost of ownership and working capital outcomes.

Supplier & Contract Management

• Build and maintain strategic relationships with Tier 1 vendors, distributors, integrators and service providers, negotiating optimal commercial, contractual and service terms.

• Partner with Finance, Legal, Technology and Operations to negotiate, coordinate and finalise contracts, SOWs, framework agreements and service agreements across multiple entities and geographies.

• Manage supplier onboarding, purchase order and approval administration processes accurately and on time.

• Support business continuity by actively managing supplier concentration risk and developing alternative sourcing options.

Business & Project Support

• Support new business opportunities, capacity expansion and infrastructure projects by assessing commercial terms, supplier options, lead times and supply risks.

• Guide internal stakeholders in planning demand, navigating vendor ecosystems and making compliant, commercially sound purchasing decisions.

• Compile, review and issue tender documentation, contracts, supplier schedules and procurement papers to a consistently high standard.

Leadership and Decision-Making

• Serves as the primary procurement adviser to the Group CFO, providing strategic direction on sourcing priorities, supplier relationships and procurement governance.

• Exercises sound commercial judgement; independently negotiates and closes favourable outcomes within delegated authority limits.

• Leads the development of procurement capability, including processes, controls, reporting and staff or specialist resources where applicable.

• Champions good procurement practice across the Group, coaching and guiding stakeholders to make compliant, commercially robust decisions.

• Navigates multi-entity and cross-border requirements to ensure commercially sound, legally compliant outcomes across all geographies.

What are we looking for

• 7 years of procurement experience, including at least 4 years in technology, infrastructure or data centre environments.

• Deep understanding of IT infrastructure particularly server, storage, networking, data centre and cloud-related categories from a commercial and procurement perspective.

• Proven track record of managing the full procurement lifecycle and delivering favourable commercial outcomes across both capital and operating expenditure.

• Experience negotiating with Tier 1 hardware and software vendors, distributors, system integrators and managed service providers.

• Skilled at stakeholder management across Finance, Legal, Technology and Operations, including at senior and executive level.

• Strong analytical capability, with the ability to interpret and simplify complex pricing, licensing and contractual terms for business audiences.

• Excellent organisation and prioritisation skills, with demonstrable ability to manage multiple concurrent workstreams under pressure.

• High proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, Outlook); experience with ERP or purchase-to-pay systems is desirable.

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field (Finance, Economics, Business, Engineering, Supply Chain or Procurement). CIPS qualification is desirable.

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with a collaborative and culturally aware approach to working across international teams.

• Comfortable working with ambiguity and change; adaptable and self-directed in a fast-growing, international environment.

• Willingness to travel internationally as required.

What's in it for you

• Life Insurance – Peace of mind for you and your loved ones.

• Medical Insurance – Private healthcare for your wellbeing.

• Learning Pocket – Annual budget for courses, tools, or certifications.

• Work From Anywhere (4 Weeks) – Flexibility to work remotely from anywhere in the world for eligible employees.

• Income Protection

• Pension Scheme

• 3 Volunteering Days per year