Senior Hardware Buyer

Purpose of the role

We are looking for a Senior Hardware Buyer to lead the hardware sourcing strategy for Proton’s infrastructure, focusing on compute, storage and network equipment. You will build and scale a procurement function that enables low lead time, high agility, and low CAPEX cost, while ensuring Proton stays ahead of market shifts in component availability, vendor strategy, and technology evolution.

This role is both strategic and hands‑on. You will own key supplier relationships, drive critical negotiations, and establish a new procurement and support model that supports rapid growth without adding unnecessary complexity.

• Strategic sourcing & negotiation:
  Lead end‑to‑end negotiations with ODMs, OEMs, white‑box suppliers, Tier‑1 semiconductor and hardware vendors. Secure volume discounts, favorable terms and conditions, and priority capacity allocation during market shortages.
• Supply chain resilience:
  Build a robust, diversified supplier network to mitigate geopolitical and logistical risks. In partnership with the Infrastructure team, develop contingency plans for critical components to ensure uninterrupted operations.
• Vendor relationship management:
  Move beyond transactional interactions to build deep, strategic partnerships at senior vendor level. Act as the primary liaison between Proton’s engineering needs and vendor roadmaps.
• Process optimisation:
  Audit and overhaul existing procurement workflows. Implement data‑driven models on cost, availability and quality to optimise purchasing efficiency and velocity.
• Cross‑functional leadership:
  Collaborate closely with Engineering, Finance and Legal teams to define hardware specifications, validate technical requirements, and ensure compliance with Proton’s processes and strict security and privacy standards.

• Direct sourcing expertise:
  Proven track record of direct negotiation and contracting not only from ODMs, OEMs and white‑box infrastructure suppliers but also with memory, CPU, RAM and drive manufacturers. Understand the nuances of wafer capacity, yield rates and lead times.
• Scale‑up experience:
  Demonstrated success in scaling hardware procurement process and team for high‑growth technology companies, managing orders ranging from $1M to $100M+.
• Negotiation mastery: A reputation for closing complex deals under pressure. Comfortable challenging vendors on pricing and terms to achieve the best possible outcome for Proton.
• Data‑driven decision making:
  Ability to analyse market trends, pricing indices and inventory levels to make strategic proactive purchasing decisions.
• Strong ownership mindset:
  Treat every dollar spent as your own. Take full responsibility for procurement outcomes and do not accept “that’s how it’s always been done” as an excuse.
• Communication skills:
  Exceptional ability to translate technical hardware and market constraints into business value for executive stakeholders.

• OCP (Open Compute Project) knowledge:
  Deep familiarity with OCP specifications, ecosystem partners and the ability to leverage OCP standards for custom hardware solutions.
• Security‑centric procurement:
  Familiarity with supply‑chain security for procurement of privacy‑focused, security‑sensitive distributed infrastructure environments.
• Data Centre infrastructure background:
  Experience with large‑to‑hyperscale data centre deployments or colocation provider negotiations (e.g., Equinix, Digital Realty).
• Global logistics experience:
  Familiarity with international trade compliance, customs and logistics for hardware shipments across EU, US and APAC regions.

• Office First:
  Collaboration is easier and more effective in person; offices in Geneva, Zurich, Prague, Barcelona, Paris, London, Vilnius, Skopje and Taipei, with up to 30% remote work.
• Technology:
  Provide all devices and software needed to excel in the role.
• Food:
  Lunch and snacks provided at offices daily.
• Transport:
  Support for transport costs through subsidising public transport, bike allowances, or parking spaces based on office location.
• Stock Options:
  All employees receive stock options when they join.
• Flexible Working:
  Define own working hours as long…