Contracts and Procurement Manager

Contracts and Procurement Manager

Location: Houston, TX Hybrid

The Hiring Company

Our client is a portfolio company of one of the world's largest owners and operators of renewable power and climate transition assets. The company is positioned to own and operate its facilities while cultivating a land management system that benefits farmers, communities, and the natural world through agrivoltaics. Our client maintains a delivery-focused approach with the goal of being a good neighbor, corporate citizen, and trusted energy solutions partner. Headquartered in Houston, Texas, with teams situated strategically throughout the United States, our client has a long history of contributing to the clean energy economy. In addition to nearly 1 gigawatt currently under construction, they are actively developing a growing portfolio of more than 12 gigawatts of solar PV and 7 gigawatts of co-located and stand-alone energy storage.

Job Summary:

Our client is seeking a Contracts and Procurement Manager to play a critical role in managing the procurement, contracting, and supply chain operations related to the development and construction of solar energy projects. You will be responsible for sourcing, negotiating, contracting, and managing the procurement and contracts responsibility related to our Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) needs, ensuring that projects are developed and executed efficiently and cost-effectively.

Responsibilities:

• Identify, prescreen, and evaluate potential suppliers of solar equipment, including solar panels, inverters, mounting systems, and related materials.
• Identify, prescreen, and evaluate potential suppliers of Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) services for solar balance of system, substations, switchyards, and transmission and distribution lines.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with key suppliers to ensure a reliable supply chain.
• Lead the sourcing process from RFI to contracting execution.
• Negotiate favorable terms and contracts with suppliers, including pricing, delivery schedules, risk management and quality standards.
• Analyze and manage the cost structure of solar projects, identifying opportunities for cost reduction and optimization.
• Monitor market trends and pricing fluctuations in the solar industry.
• Develop and implement strategies to minimize procurement costs while maintaining quality.
• Implement quality control measures and protocols for incoming materials and equipment.
• Resolve any quality issues with suppliers and work to continuously improve product quality.
• Optimize the supply chain to reduce lead times and streamline the procurement process.
• Ensure that all procurement activities comply with relevant laws and regulations, such as environmental standards and import/export requirements.
• Stay up-to-date with industry regulations and certification requirements.
• Prepare RFPs, coordinate bid schedules, and evaluate vendor proposals to determine cost-competitive pricing and identify cost-saving opportunities.
• Manage and administer contracts, including contract administration, change management, and dispute resolution, emphasizing collaboration, transparency, and integrity.
• Other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in supply chain management, business, engineering, or a related field. A master's degree or relevant certification is a plus.
• 5+ years of experience in procurement, EPC Contracting, or a related role in Renewable Energy, with a focus on Corporate Procurement, Engineering and Services.
• Preferred but not required, In-depth knowledge of solar technologies, equipment, and industry trends.
• Strong negotiation and vendor management skills, with a focus on sustainability and risk management.
• Adept knowledge of procurement fundamentals, contracting drafting principles, and project management methodologies.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving abilities, with proficiency in technology and data-driven decision-making.
• Familiarity with project management principles and software including (but not limited) to ERP systems (Procore), procurement software, or data analytics tools.
• Must be able to travel domestically as needed (less than 10% of work time).
• Must be able to work independently and as part of a team, fostering a collaborative and inclusive work environment.
• Must be able to communicate effectively with both technical and non-technical audiences, promoting transparency and alignment.
• Must have a strong work ethic and a commitment to ongoing process improvement.

Benefits

Our client offers an exciting benefits package, including medical, dental, vision, health savings account, flexible spending account, company-paid life insurance, short-term disability, long-term disability, voluntary life, paid parental leave, and a retirement plan with rich matching. Full-time position with a competitive compensation package, including bonus.