Procurement & Vendor Manager - Midnight

Who are we?

IOHK, is a technology company focused on Blockchain research and development. We are renowned for our scientific approach to blockchain development, emphasizing peer-reviewed research and formal methods to ensure security, scalability, and sustainability. Our projects include decentralized finance (DeFi), governance, and identity management, aiming to advance the capabilities and adoption of blockchain technology globally.

We invest in the unknown, applying our curiosity and desire for positive change to everything we do. By fueling creativity, innovation, and progress within our teams, our products and services are designed for people to be fearless, to be changemakers.

About Midnight:

IOG's Midnight group is a business technology provider and core contributor to the Midnight Network, a blockchain platform for developing decentralized applications that safeguard personal and commercial data. The Midnight Network is the first blockchain to offer programmable data isolation by leveraging zero-knowledge (ZK) proofs to enable selective disclosure of what information is visible on-chain and is designed to help developers implement necessary business policies, such as meeting regulatory requirements.

What the role involves:

We are looking for a skilled Procurement & Vendor Manager to help establish and shape the procurement function from the ground up for the Midnight group as an independent entity. This is an exciting opportunity to define and implement key procurement processes, optimize vendor relationships, and ensure the efficient acquisition of goods and services to support the company's growth and operations.

In this role, you will be responsible for setting up procurement systems and strategies from scratch, while ensuring the timely and cost-effective acquisition of essential resources. You will manage the full vendor lifecycle and collaborate with internal teams to align procurement practices with our organizational needs, all while creating a strong foundation for future success.

Key responsibilities include:

Procurement Strategy and Execution:

• Develop and execute the procurement strategy to meet operational and strategic goals.
• Lead the end-to-end procurement process, including identifying requirements, selecting suppliers, and negotiating contracts.
• Continuously evaluate market trends to identify opportunities for cost savings, quality improvements, and innovation. 
• Build and implement procurement systems and tools to streamline purchasing processes, track inventory, and improve transparency.

Vendor Management:

• Establish and maintain strong relationships with key suppliers and vendors to ensure reliable delivery of goods and services.
• Monitor and evaluate vendor performance, ensuring adherence to quality, delivery timelines, and contractual obligations.
• Conduct regular reviews to optimize vendor partnerships and identify opportunities for better collaboration.

Budget and Compliance:

• Manage procurement budgets and report on spending, savings, and procurement performance metrics.
• Ensure compliance with legal, regulatory, and internal policies governing procurement and vendor activities.
• Develop risk mitigation strategies to manage potential disruptions in the supply chain.

Collaboration and Stakeholder Engagement:

• Collaborate with internal stakeholders across departments (product, architecture, engineering, delivery, finance, legal, IT, etc.) to align procurement activities with business needs.
• Provide regular updates and insights to senior leadership regarding procurement strategies and progress.
• Support cross-functional initiatives that depend on effective vendor partnerships or procurement outcomes.

Process Improvement and Innovation:

• Implement best practices to improve the efficiency, transparency, and accountability of procurement processes.
• Drive initiatives to enhance supplier diversity, sustainability, and ethical sourcing

Requirements

Who you are:

• Proven experience in procurement, vendor management, or supply chain roles (5+ years preferred).
• Strong expertise in negotiating contracts, managing supplier relationships, and delivering cost-effective solutions.
• Familiarity with procurement systems and software.
• Knowledge of legal and regulatory requirements related to procurement.
• Experience in implementing and optimizing procurement processes in a fast-paced environment.
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills to build and maintain strong relationships with vendors and stakeholders.
• Analytical mindset with excellent problem-solving skills and attention to detail.
• Proactive, self-motivated, and able to manage multiple priorities effectively.
• Team player with a collaborative approach to working across functions.
• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, or a related field (preferred).

Are you an IOGer?

Do you find yourself questioning the status quo? Do you tinker with ideas and long to turn those ideas into solutions? Are you able to spark thoughtful debates, bringing out the inquisitiveness in others? Does the promise of continuously growing excite you? Then get ready to reimagine everything you thought wasn’t possible because that’s what it means to be an IOGer - we don’t set limits, we break them. 

Benefits

• Remote work

• Laptop reimbursement
• New starter package to buy hardware essentials (headphones, monitor, etc)
• Learning & Development opportunities
• Competitive PTO 

At IOG, we value diversity and always treat all employees and job applicants based on merit, qualifications, competence, and talent. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status