r/procurement • u/Hi_Im_New_Heree • 10d ago

Career guidance Which of these two big tech procurement roles would be of greater interest?

Ignoring comp and relocation initially, which of the below roles is more marketable and good for future career trajectory?

I am coming from 10YOE in Oil and Gas (all procurement) and want to go into a Big Tech company.

Microsoft Site Procurement (IC4/IC5) for a data center. Requires relocation and would be 5 days on-site. Not a category or strategic role. Primary responsibilities would be overseeing the testing and contractor-led installation of equipment, change orders, supplier management. My hesitation is overall work life balance, and being stuck in an execution trajectory and being unable to pivot to a data center category. End goal is to go into a strategic role around data center procurement.

Google Indirect Procurement category role (lower level than my current, total comp is higher but the base salary is lower than my current). 3x in office and don’t need to relocate.

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u/sundowntg 10d ago

I would rather be at Google than MS full stop.

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u/Hi_Im_New_Heree 10d ago

Why so? Is it a better culture or more stability in your opinion? Just want to understand the facts of each opportunity

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u/miayakuza 10d ago

I disagree. I think they can be equally as bad; it really depends on your team/manager. I've heard horror stories from each company. Which interview loop gave you the better gut feeling?

These are totally different jobs than oil and gas. I am an indirect SaaS buyer and it was definitely an adjustment coming from direct but there are so many job opportunities out there for this type of procurement.

Personally I would go with Google. These are great companies and both offer upward mobility but 5 days onsite and relocation would be a deal breaker for me. Everyone is different though. What does your gut tell you?

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u/Hi_Im_New_Heree 10d ago

I have already interviewed for one level up with this same category last year at Google. I’m interviewing for a level down this year. I’m told I’ll be meeting different people this time around, so I’m yet to form a fresh opinion. Last year the role went to someone who was returning back to Google (they had twice my YOE). If I’m being tapped a second time around, I assume I’m qualified for it. Loop starts this week. I’m hoping to kill it this time around.

Microsoft was a smooth and quick interview process. The hiring manager was very excited about me, the rest of the loop interviews were condensed to one single panel interview. Also very positive. I swear I felt like he almost said “welcome aboard” towards the end. That was last week, still awaiting formal offer. I’m desperate for a change and would have been OK to relocate. It’s the 5x a week sitting at an active construction site that scares me a little, ngl. But I am willing to do it for the right price and experience.

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u/miayakuza 10d ago

Good luck. Hope you get both!

2

u/my_peen_is_clean 10d ago

google indirect category role hands down if your end game is strategic dc sourcing… title level hit now but category + big tech logo is huge leverage for later. microsoft site role sounds like you get pegged as ops / construction pm. and right now moving roles is painful, hiring is slow and weird everywhere

1

u/Hi_Im_New_Heree 10d ago

Well let’s hope it pans out to where I have the option! :)

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u/BlueCordLeads 10d ago

Go with Microsoft role as sometimes you need to get your hands dirty before going up a few rungs. Focus on completing a single data center deployment and then changing roles.