Manager, Procurement - Solar & BESS Equipment

Pivot Energy•Chicago, IL

1d•$120,000 - $150,000

About The Position

The Procurement Manager provides day-to-day leadership, coordination, and oversight of Pivot Energy’s procurement activities supporting Solar PV and Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) projects. The role oversees equipment planning and procurement execution across purchasing, supplier coordination, logistics, procurement systems and processes, compliance, and performance management. It translates procurement strategy into effective operating processes, ensuring planning and purchasing are accurate, efficient, and aligned with project requirements, supplier agreements, company policies, and applicable compliance requirements. The manager oversees and improves procurement processes, systems, reporting, supplier performance, and cross-functional coordination. The role partners closely with Category Management and the Buyer/Planner, and works with Engineering, Tech Ops, Project Management, Delivery, O&M, Finance, Logistics, and external suppliers to support project execution and continuous improvement. It also identifies, presents, and advances a vision for the future of Pivot Procurement. Other duties may be requested. The position supports equipment procurement from contract and purchase order execution through supplier performance, quality, financial coordination, logistics, compliance, risk management, and documentation. The estimated base salary range stated in the compensation section is $120,000–$150,000, with eligibility for a company bonus plan targeting 30% of annual salary, prorated in the first year based on start date. Compensation depends on factors including location, level, job-related knowledge, certifications, skills, and experience.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Finance, or a related field, or equivalent experience.
At least 3 years of procurement and supply-chain experience, preferably in solar, energy storage, construction, manufacturing, or another project-based industry.
Experience coordinating purchasing, logistics, suppliers, and cross-functional project requirements.
Working knowledge of supplier contracts and commercial terms, including Incoterms.
Strong quantitative and analytical skills, including the ability to understand and communicate technical and commercial issues.
Strong organizational skills, process orientation, and attention to detail.
Strong written and verbal communication skills.
Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to build trust and rapport with internal and external stakeholders.
Ability to prioritize and coordinate multiple projects and tasks with limited supervision.
Demonstrated ability to identify problems, coordinate solutions, and escalate appropriately.
Strong proficiency with spreadsheets, word processing, and business productivity tools.

Nice To Haves

Experience supporting negotiation and administration of master supply agreements and other procurement contracts.
Experience leading or supervising procurement personnel.
Experience with Solar PV, BESS, electrical equipment, or other energy-related equipment.
Experience with procurement, ERP, project management, or supply-chain systems.
Experience with Procore, Salesforce, Smartsheet, Google Workspace, or similar systems.
Experience with procurement process improvement, data management, reporting, and systems implementation.
Experience coordinating equipment warehousing and transportation activities.
Experience with supplier performance management and risk mitigation.

Responsibilities

Provide day-to-day leadership and coordination of procurement activities across projects and operational requirements.
Build working relationships with Engineering, Tech Ops, Project Management, Delivery, O&M, Finance, Logistics, Category Management, suppliers, and other external partners.
Coordinate equipment planning and procurement with manufacturers, distributors, logistics providers, and other partners; support cross-functional planning for financing, construction, operations, and equipment needs.
Provide direction, coaching, and support to the Buyer/Planner and other procurement resources; serve as an escalation point for procurement, supplier, purchasing, and logistics issues.
Support development, review, negotiation, execution, and administration of master supply agreements and other procurement contracts.
Ensure procurement execution follows negotiated contractual terms; coordinate purchase orders with supplier agreements and monitor contract obligations, renewals, pricing, and commercial requirements.
Establish and maintain procurement processes that support supplier quality and reliable equipment delivery; monitor performance and coordinate resolution of quality issues.
Support project management and O&M teams with major equipment defects, breakage, warranty matters, and insurance claims; support supplier qualification and performance management.
Oversee execution of major equipment purchases, including purchase orders, invoices, and payment records; coordinate with Finance and Accounts Payable to resolve purchasing and payment issues.
Support equipment pricing and availability forecasts, maintain pricing and market information, monitor procurement performance against objectives, support cost optimization, and provide accurate financial and commercial visibility.
Coordinate purchasing, warehousing, shipping, and logistics to support project schedules; monitor purchase order status, supplier commitments, logistics, and material availability.
Identify and escalate issues that may affect schedules, resolve supply and delivery constraints with the Buyer/Planner and Category Management, and improve procurement cycle times and execution efficiency.
Establish and maintain processes compliant with company policies, legal requirements, ethical standards, and applicable regulations; verify vendor and product compliance and enforce approval requirements.
Support compliance reviews, maintain procurement records, monitor industry, trade, economic, ITC, and regulatory developments, and ensure required certifications and compliance information are captured.
Identify, assess, and escalate procurement, supplier, logistics, material-availability, quality, and commercial risks; coordinate mitigation and support supplier continuity and contingency planning.
Provide Procurement leadership with visibility into significant risks and mitigation actions.
Develop and maintain procurement databases and systems containing major equipment and supplier information; maintain accurate records of pricing, availability, suppliers, purchase orders, contracts, and procurement activity.
Maintain chain-of-custody, proof-of-payment, proof-of-delivery, and other required equipment documentation; establish reporting, dashboards, performance metrics, standardized recordkeeping, and documentation controls.
Support procurement systems integration, process improvements, and data-quality initiatives.

Benefits

Health, dental, and vision insurance, with up to 100% of premiums covered by the company.
Four weeks of vacation, prorated in the first year.
Company-paid life insurance and short- and long-term disability coverage.
Generous parental leave.
401(k) matching.
Home office setup stipend for new employees.
Public transit reimbursement.
Paid time off for community volunteering.
Charitable donation matching up to $500 per year.
Professional development and educational reimbursements.
Eligibility for the company bonus plan, with a target bonus of 30% of annual salary, prorated in the first year based on start date.