Vendor & Contract Manager

Company Profile

nLighten is a European platform of distributed edge data centers, designed to meet the growing demand for AI, 5G, and hybrid cloud deployments. As a rapidly expanding provider, we offer scalable colocation hubs and best-in-class energy solutions across Europe. Our innovative and sustainable approach to digital infrastructure ensures reliability, efficiency, and future-ready solutions for our clients. nLighten’s current footprint is 34 data centers in 7 European countries, with the ambition to grow to 100 sites during the next 3-4 years.

Learn more about us: www.nlighten.com

About the Role

We are seeking a Vendor & Contract Manager to take ownership of our repair, maintenance and cleaning operating cost across all 34 sites in 7 countries.

This is a new role within the central Facility function, reporting to the Head of Facility and working with a dotted line into Procurement. You will build the cost baseline, challenge what we buy and how often we buy it, consolidate fragmented contracts, and put supplier governance in place that holds.

The successful candidate will combine genuine technical competence in critical environments with the commercial rigour to lead vendor negotiations independently. This is not a procurement coordination role: you will be expected to read a maintenance scope, judge whether it is right, and defend that position with both the vendor and the business.

This role can be based in Germany or the Netherlands, with a European scope.

Key Responsibilities

R&M Operating Cost Ownership

• Own the repair, maintenance and cleaning operating cost across all 34 sites, building and maintaining a cost baseline by site, category and country
• Review, challenge and approve maintenance scopes before work is instructed, preventing unnecessary cost and scope creep
• Identify and eliminate duplicated services and inconsistent maintenance frequencies across the three legacy estates
• Deliver year-on-year reduction in operating cost per kW without reducing service outcomes, asset reliability or compliance
• Report monthly on spend, delivered savings, contract compliance and improvement initiatives, with every figure traceable to its source

Contract Management

• Own all hard and soft Facilities Management, statutory compliance and cleaning contracts across the portfolio, including mechanical and electrical maintenance, HVAC, UPS, generators, fire systems, BMS, water treatment, cleaning and security
• Lead contract renewals, competitive tenders and supplier negotiations to deliver commercial value and operational improvement
• Consolidate fragmented country-level contracts into pan-European agreements where consolidation is commercially justified
• Standardise scopes of work, contract terms and KPI frameworks across all countries
• Maintain a complete and accurate contract register covering cost, notice period, expiry and renewal status
• Implement supplier governance including KPI scorecards across safety, quality, responsiveness and commercial performance, periodic reviews, corrective action plans and clear escalation levels
• Develop category strategies and portfolio framework agreements for standard data-centre products such as racks, PDUs and cages

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work with the Head of Facility on maintenance standards and the planned preventive maintenance programme, ensuring contracted scope matches the standard
• Work with Regional Directors and site teams so that contracted services meet real operational need at each site
• Maintain the dotted-line relationship with Procurement, and work with Finance and Legal on commercial terms, approvals and contract governance
• Travel regularly across our 7 countries and 34 sites as required

What We’re Looking For

• 5+ years managing multi-country hard and soft Facilities Management contracts, ideally in data centres or other mission-critical environments
• Track record of managing outsourced maintenance programmes and the vendor relationships behind them
• Proven ability to negotiate contracts and deliver measurable commercial savings
• Experience implementing supplier KPI and governance frameworks that changed vendor behaviour, not just reporting
• Strong working knowledge of data centre critical systems: power, cooling, UPS, generators and LV distribution
• Comfortable reading and reviewing technical documentation, method statements and maintenance scopes, and confident challenging what they contain
• Strong commercial acumen, able to challenge vendor pricing, scope and performance with confidence
• Practical command of contract structure: scope definition, service levels, notice and termination rights, indexation and exit terms
• Understanding of HSE, statutory compliance and contractor management
• Organised and process-driven, with a high standard for documentation and follow-through
• Clear, structured communicator, able to present technical and commercial information to senior stakeholders
• Collaborative style, able to influence across functions and geographies without direct authority
• Fluent in English; German, Dutch or French at professional working level is a strong advantage

Why Join Us?

• Join a fast-growing company shaping the future of digital infrastructure in Europe
• Take direct ownership of a new, high-visibility role at the centre of our Facility function
• Partner closely with the Head of Facility and Procurement, with real influence over how we spend and where
• Work in a dynamic environment with genuine autonomy and impact on measurable cost outcomes
• Be part of a collaborative team focused on operational excellence and sustainable growth

Apply now and be part of our journey toward a more connected, efficient, and sustainable digital future.

Background Check & Screening

All selected candidates will undergo a background check to ensure a safe workplace, protect company assets, and comply with regulations.

Diversity & Inclusion Statement

nLighten is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace, and we encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds. Even if you do not meet every requirement listed, we welcome your application. We particularly encourage women and individuals from underrepresented groups to apply.