Associate Director, HPC Procurement & OEM Partnerships

IREN•Fort Worth, TX

5d•Hybrid

About The Position

IREN is a leading AI Cloud Service Provider, delivering large-scale GPU clusters for AI training and inference. IREN’s vertically integrated platform is underpinned by its expansive portfolio of grid-connected land and data centers in renewable-rich regions across the U.S. and Canada. The Associate Director, HPC Procurement & OEM Partnerships will lead and evolve the procurement strategy, supplier relationships, and operational execution for High Performance Computing (HPC) server infrastructure. This role serves as the primary procurement and operations leader for HPC server sourcing and OEM engagement, partnering closely with Commercial, IT, Engineering, and Operations teams. This is a newly established role designed to strengthen strategic alignment, supplier engagement, and execution as HPC infrastructure continues to scale. The position provides an opportunity to shape how Procurement partners with the business, ensuring early involvement, strong supplier relationships, and effective delivery across the HPC ecosystem. With 100% renewable energy, we build, own and operate our data centers and take pride in being at the forefront of sustainable solutions for the ever-evolving applications of high-performance compute. We believe that human progress is invaluable, but it should be done in the right way – responsibly, sustainably and having a positive impact on the communities we operate in.

Requirements

8–12+ years of experience in procurement, supply chain, operations, or a related field, with demonstrated senior-level responsibility.
Proven experience managing strategic OEM or supplier relationships, ideally within technology, hardware, server, or infrastructure environments.
Strong experience in contract negotiation, supplier performance management, and cross-functional stakeholder engagement.
Experience building and leading teams, including setting strategy and overseeing execution.
Strategic mindset with the ability to operate at both executive and operational levels.
Confident, credible presence in senior internal discussions and external OEM engagements.
Strong sense of ownership, accountability, and follow-through.
Comfortable navigating ambiguity and building structure to support scale.
Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.

Nice To Haves

Exposure to HPC, data center infrastructure, or large-scale hardware procurement is strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

Own the end-to-end procurement strategy for HPC server infrastructure, from supplier engagement and sourcing through delivery and lifecycle support.
Act as the senior procurement and/or operations representative for HPC server-related initiatives.
Establish governance, processes, and accountability for HPC procurement activities across the organization.
Embed procurement considerations early in planning, design, and commercial discussions to support scalable growth.
Serve as the primary point of contact for server OEMs, manufacturers, and strategic suppliers.
Build and maintain senior-level relationships with OEM partners to drive performance, transparency, and long-term partnership value.
Lead supplier engagement on service issues, escalations, delivery challenges, and continuous improvement initiatives.
Partner with suppliers to align on roadmaps, support models, and engagement structures that meet HPC business needs.
Partner closely with Commercial, Legal, Finance, and IT teams on contract negotiations, renewals, and supplier agreements.
Provide procurement and operational input into pricing structures, service levels, lead times, and contractual commitments.
Support RFPs, vendor evaluations, and sourcing decisions related to HPC server infrastructure and associated services.
Oversee reporting on server deliveries, lead times, order status, and supplier performance metrics.
Identify supply chain, capacity, and delivery risks and proactively develop mitigation strategies.
Provide clear, executive-level visibility into procurement status, supplier performance, and delivery outlook.
Build, lead, and manage a team of HPC-dedicated procurement professionals responsible for day-to-day execution, including: 1. Order placement and tracking 2. Shipping and receiving coordination 3. Inventory and reconciliation 4. Procurement administration and documentation
Define team structure, roles, workflows, and escalation paths to support scalability and growth.
Coach and develop team members to strengthen procurement capability and long-term capacity.
Work closely with IT, Engineering, Operations, Commercial, and Finance teams to align procurement strategy with technical and business requirements.
Represent Procurement in cross-functional forums, planning sessions, and leadership discussions related to HPC infrastructure.
Strengthen Procurement’s role as a strategic partner across the HPC lifecycle.

Benefits

Actual compensation will be determined based on factors such as experience, qualifications, and market data for the region.
Total Compensation package may be inclusive of annual incentive bonus, equity (long-term incentive).
Relocation or Living-out-allowance / per diem (as appliable and based on successful candidate circumstances)
100% company paid health insurance premiums (medical, dental, and vision) for employees, 75% company paid coverage for dependents
Company-paid short-term and long-term disability insurance
Voluntary life, critical illness, and accident coverage available
Health Savings Accounts (HSA) – when combined with the High Deductible Health Plan
Employee Assistance Program and wellness resources
401(k) retirement plan with company match
Access to financial planning and legal services
Paid Time Off (PTO) and paid holidays
Internal skills training and advancement pathways
Professional development to support certifications, continuing education, or role related training
Company events and team-building activities