Director Procurement: Distributed Energy - brightsmith : Job Details

Procurement Director – Distributed Enrery, Microgrids

A leading company in the energy transition space is seeking an experienced Procurement Director to lead procurement activities for complex, tailored microgrid energy systems within a project financing environment. This role supports the delivery of EaaS projects, ensuring alignment with technical, financial, and operational objectives.

Responsibilities

• Supplier Development: Support project development, execution, and operations teams in identifying and qualifying suppliers for critical systems and services.
• Purchasing Leadership: Manage all procurement activities, including supplier scouting, early involvement, qualification, negotiations, purchase orders, system maintenance, and resolution of invoice discrepancies.
• Strategic Supply Chain Management: Develop expertise in the supply chain for electrical generation assets, energy storage, distribution, controls, EV charging infrastructure, and related equipment.
• Commodity Strategy Design: Establish supplier panels and commodity strategies, ensuring alignment with regional/global strategies, and applying principles like total cost of ownership, standardization, and flexibility.
• Cost Optimization: Contribute to Capex and Opex targets, conducting cost benchmarking and supplier negotiations to ensure competitive pricing.
• Supplier Risk Management: Lead risk assessments and embed suppliers in project design for co-innovation opportunities.
• Continuous Improvement: Drive enhancements in procurement processes and supplier performance monitoring through dashboards and reports.
• Project Integration: Actively participate in project cost estimations, team meetings, and schedule planning to align procurement with overall project timelines.
• Contract Management: Collaborate with legal teams to establish contracts for critical parts and components.
• Contracting Expertise: Manage procurement for EPC projects valued around $50M, including owner-provided equipment for long-lead items (e.g., gas turbines, wind turbines, fuel cells, and key electrical equipment), as well as long-term service agreements.
• Project Lifecycle Experience: Demonstrate active involvement in 5–10 projects under a Developer-Owner-Operator business model.
• Vendor Lifecycle Management: Showcase a minimum of 3–5 years with a single organization, covering the complete vendor lifecycle from scouting and tendering to contracting and closure of major agreements.
• Contracting Methodologies: Leverage familiarity with various contracting methodologies, including EPC, BOP, GMP, unit price, design-build, progressive design, cost + fee, supply agreements, LTSA, and MSSA, particularly within project finance environments.
• Tender and Contract Documentation: Maintain and present a documented reference list of key tenders and contracts, including project names, technologies, contracted scopes, ROM contract values, contract types, shortlisted vendors, and contracted vendors.

Qualifications:

• 10+ years of procurement experience in design, construction, and operations within high-value, complex energy projects.
• Expertise in distributed energy systems, utility-scale energy projects, or oil and gas sectors.
• Proven ability to contract EPC projects around $50M in value, including owner-provided equipment and service agreements.
• Bachelor's degree in engineering or business systems.
• Demonstrated ability to manage complex tasks and maintain clarity under pressure.
• Strong communication, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills.

Ideal experience, but nonessential experience:

• Experience with microgrid projects and design/build methodologies.
• Bachelor's degree in engineering.
• Entrepreneurial mindset with a preference for dynamic, fast-paced environments requiring innovative problem-solving.