Application Guide
How to Apply for VP, Procurement
at Soluna
🏢 About Soluna
Soluna builds and operates AI/HPC data centers powered by low-cost, renewable energy, making high-density computation more sustainable. They sit at the intersection of blockchain, AI infrastructure, and clean energy, offering a rare chance to shape procurement for cutting-edge, eco-friendly compute. The company is in a multi-site build-out phase, so you'd join at a high-growth moment with direct impact on their expansion.
About This Role
As VP of Procurement, you will own the end-to-end strategy for sourcing critical mechanical and electrical equipment (e.g., transformers, switchgear, cooling systems) for Soluna's data centers. This is a hands-on, senior individual-contributor role where you'll directly manage long-lead-time sourcing, manufacturer relationships, and supply chain risk across multiple sites. You'll have the authority of a functional leader without building a team, making it ideal for a seasoned procurement expert who thrives on execution.
💡 A Day in the Life
You might start by reviewing supplier quotes and lead times for a new data center site, then jump on a call with a transformer manufacturer to negotiate terms and expedite delivery. Later, you'd collaborate with engineering and project managers to align procurement schedules with construction milestones, while assessing risks like port delays or material shortages. Expect a mix of strategic sourcing, vendor management, and cross-functional coordination to keep Soluna's build-out on track.
🚀 Application Tools
🎯 Who Soluna Is Looking For
- 10+ years of experience in equipment procurement for large-scale infrastructure projects, ideally in data centers, power plants, or renewable energy.
- Deep expertise in sourcing long-lead-time mechanical/electrical equipment (e.g., generators, UPS, HVAC, transformers) and managing global manufacturer relationships.
- Proven ability to mitigate supply chain risks across multi-site build-outs, including logistics, tariffs, and vendor performance management.
- Comfortable in a hands-on, individual-contributor capacity while influencing senior stakeholders and external partners; blockchain/AI infrastructure exposure is a plus.
📝 Tips for Applying to Soluna
Tailor your resume to highlight specific examples of procuring long-lead-time equipment (e.g., transformers, switchgear) for data centers or energy projects—quantify cost savings, lead time reductions, and risk mitigation.
In your cover letter, explicitly address your comfort with a hands-on, individual-contributor role at a senior level; avoid implying you want to build a team unless the job description changes.
Research Soluna's current data center sites and renewable energy partnerships, then mention how your procurement strategies could support their sustainability goals and build-out schedule.
Connect with Soluna employees on LinkedIn (e.g., in operations or supply chain) to learn about their procurement challenges and reference those insights in your application.
Prepare a brief case study or portfolio piece showcasing a complex equipment procurement project you led, including vendor negotiation, risk management, and cross-functional collaboration.
✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter
['Your track record in sourcing critical mechanical/electrical equipment for data centers or similar high-density compute environments, with metrics.', "How you've managed long-lead-time sourcing and manufacturer relationships to keep multi-site build-outs on schedule and within budget.", 'Your ability to operate as a hands-on senior individual contributor, owning procurement execution from strategy to delivery.', "Your alignment with Soluna's mission to power blockchain and AI with renewable energy, and how your procurement decisions can support sustainability."]
Generate Cover Letter →🔍 Research Before Applying
To stand out, make sure you've researched:
- → Study Soluna's current data center projects and renewable energy sources (e.g., wind, solar) to understand their equipment needs and build-out timeline.
- → Learn about the blockchain and AI/HPC infrastructure landscape, including key equipment suppliers and current supply chain challenges (e.g., transformer shortages).
- → Review recent news about Soluna's funding, partnerships, and expansion plans to tailor your answers to their growth trajectory.
- → Understand the basics of data center power and cooling architectures to speak credibly about the equipment you'd procure.
💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics
Based on this role, you may be asked about:
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Focusing only on cost savings without addressing supply chain resilience and long-lead-time management, which are critical for this role.
- Assuming the role involves building and managing a team—this is a hands-on individual contributor position, so emphasizing team leadership over execution could be a mismatch.
- Ignoring Soluna's renewable energy mission and treating procurement as purely transactional; they value sustainability and innovation in supply chain.
📅 Application Timeline
This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.
Typical hiring timeline:
Application Review
1-2 weeks
Initial Screening
Phone call or written assessment
Interviews
1-2 rounds, usually virtual
Offer
Congratulations!