Strategic Procurement Manager - Renewable Energy

National Grid Renewables is seeking a Strategic Procurement Manager for its Bloomington, MN office. The role involves developing procurement strategies for utility-scale solar projects, collaborating with various internal teams, and managing supplier relationships to reduce costs. Responsibilities include conducting RFP processes, negotiating agreements, and ensuring alignment across project agreements. The company focuses on community engagement and sustainable energy solutions in its operations.
National Grid Renewables, which includes the renewables development company formerly known as Geronimo Energy, is a leading North American renewable energy company based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, with satellite offices located in the regions where it develops, constructs, and operates renewable energy projects. As a farmer-friendly and community focused company, National Grid Renewables develops projects for corporations and utilities that seek to repower America’s electricity grid by reigniting local economies and reinvesting in a sustainable future. National Grid Renewables is part of the competitive, unregulated Ventures division of National Grid and has a portfolio of solar, wind, and energy storage projects located throughout the United States in various stages of development, construction and operation.

National Grid Renewables develops high value, competitive renewable energy projects. Our focus on communities and farmers means it’s not just about projects, but about the people we work with, both outside and inside our organization. National Grid Renewables Team Members embody our foundational culture of being entrepreneurial, creative, and nimble and take pride in supporting National Grid’s vision to be at the heart of a clean, fair and affordable energy future for all.

The Strategic Procurement Manager will drive strategic procurement of major PV and BESS equipment for utility scale solar projects and continue to drive down the overall CAPEX cost in support of the solar and storage development and construction pipeline. The Procurement Manager will collaborate with internal Engineering, Construction, Legal and Finance teams.

Responsibilities:
• Develop a multi-year commodity procurement strategy to support a 1GW/year solar pipeline
• Remain informed of latest technology trends and the government policies in the market and understand the implications of the procurement strategy and adjust accordingly
• Incorporate market intelligence and vendor inputs into the bid evaluation and contracting process
• Develop and maintain relationships with inverter, tracker, SCADA, GSU, BESS suppliers
• Actively collaborate with internal technical teams and suppliers to continually drive down LCOE (Levelized Cost of Electricity) ($/W)
• Develop and run competitive RFP processes to support major equipment procurement
• Coordinate with Engineering to gather and maintain specifications, scopes of work, and standards to be followed for solar and storage projects
• Effectively support the negotiation of agreements for items related to scope, price, terms & conditions, delivery, and contract changes with suppliers
• Apply contracting abilities, editing of work scope, understanding of commercial terms and conditions, and accurate monitoring of commercial changes from award to delivery.
• Review cost proposals and actual cost reports from projects to establish standard summary data cost reports and variance analyses. Track and report on cost movement during negotiations.
• Ensure—through effective contract negotiation to meet objectives related to safety, cost, delivery performance, schedule and quality.
• Ensure that risks are mitigated through alignment across major project agreements (EPC agreement, Equipment supply, PPA, Warranty, etc.)
• Ensure timely and frequent engagement with development, legal, engineering, construction, operations and maintenance, and asset management on all issues related to equipment supply.
• Support and facilitate internal team resolution on material changes to agreements across both commercial and technical issues.
• Develop and maintain internal score card to rate and prioritize suppliers
• Work with technical and finance teams to support bankability of new suppliers and technologies
• Support Project Management teams during project execution
• Ongoing contract administration for major equipment supply agreements

Qualifications:
• 5 + years of experience in strategic sourcing functions, commodity management and contract negotiation experience. Solar procurement experience is preferred
• Master’s degree in Engineering or MBA is preferred
• Project management skills working with large scale solar, wind, and/or storage development projects.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Ability to explain complex concepts in a concise manner
• Advanced analytical and problem-solving skills
• Detail-oriented with demonstrated ability for accuracy
• Demonstrated ability to successfully manage and execute multiple contracts on schedule, has experience negotiating large contracts
• Knowledge of utility scale solar development business is a plus
• Demonstrated ability to drive cross-functional initiatives
• Ability to influence internal and external stakeholders to drive mutually beneficial outcomes