Solar Procurement
A Comprehensive Guide to the Job of Solar Procurement
A solar procurement specialist is responsible for managing the sourcing and procurement of solar energy equipment and materials for large-scale solar projects. They work closely with solar panel material and equipment producers to negotiate contracts, forecast demand, and prepare purchase orders and contracts for utility solar projects or large scale commercial/residential solar companies.
Overview of the Solar Procurement Job
Solar procurement specialists, or purchasing managers, are experts in the industry, thoroughly understanding the solar market and policy in order to source materials for large-scale operations.
Solar Procurement Salary
The median annual salary for a Purchasing Manager / Procurement in manufacturing in 2022 was $126,940 per the BLS.
Common Solar Procurement Job Descriptions
Solar procurement specialists are responsible for ensuring equipment and components are delivered to meet the demand and standards of a solar operation.
Key responsibilities include:
Managing supplier/vendor relationships: Work closely with suppliers to negotiate contracts and ensure the timely delivery of materials and equipment.
Forecasting demand: Monitor market trends and analyze data to forecast demand for solar equipment and materials, ensuring that sufficient quantities of materials are available to meet project timelines.
Preparing purchase orders and contracts: They are responsible for drafting and negotiating purchase orders and contracts with suppliers to ensure that projects are completed on time and within budget.
Staying updated on policy and energy markets: Stay up-to-date on developments in policy and energy markets that could impact solar projects and the supply chain, and adjust procurement strategies accordingly.
Internal/External Communication: Specialists need to keep internal teams updated on order/supply status while managing external relationships to stay on top of inventory status, risks, and opportunities
Solar Procurement Job and Skill Requirements
Procurement specialists have worked in the industry for an extensive period of time and have managed procurement for large-scale projects. You may see the following requirements on job postings:
5+ years of relevant work experience in procurement, supply chain management, or the solar industry is also highly valued.
Bachelor’s degree in supply chain management, business, or a related degree is generally preferred
Experience negotiating MSA (Master Service Agreements) with suppliers to maximize profitability for the company while ensuring quality and structure deals to minimize risk
Strong attention to detail to manage multiple contracts and projects while ensuring exact quantities and quality of components are met
Excellent verbal and written communication skills
Strong analytical skills, negotiation skills, and attention to detail are essential.
Flexible and able to adapt to new information quickly
What's the day-to-day like in Solar Procurement?
The day-to-day work of a solar procurement specialist involves:
Screening new vendors through online and in-person/virtual visits
Managing supplier relationships to stay ahead of any changes to demand
Analyzing market trends to stay up to date on the latest pricing for commodities, materials, and equipment
Preparing purchase orders and contracts
Ensuring that all solar equipment and materials meet quality standards
Partnering closely with other departments within a solar company, such as project management and engineering, so that projects are completed on time and within budget
Inspecting shipments and QA-ing deliveries to ensure they meet the specifications on the contract
Outlook for Solar Procurement Jobs
The solar industry is experiencing rapid growth, and the demand for solar procurement specialists is expected to increase in the coming years faster than the overall market.
Career Opportunities for Solar Procurement Jobs
A career as a solar procurement specialist can lead to a variety of career opportunities in the solar industry. With experience and additional education, one can progress to roles such as supply chain manager, project manager, or even a director-level position. There is also potential for lateral moves to other departments within a solar company, such as engineering, project management, or business development.
How to get a job in Solar Procurement
Procurement Specialists or Purchasing Managers are likely to have an extensive rolodex of contacts in the solar and procurement space. Keep in touch to hear of the latest jobs that may be coming onto the market. Otherwise, browse job boards such as Indeed to research new roles that are posted or try a more niche board like WorkInSolar that will only have the latest solar jobs on the market. Longer-term, Developers can be an invaluable voice in policy to help communities and governments successfully implement regulations and build large-scale projects needed to power the country
To get into procurement, you should keep your eyes open for “material planner” or “purchasing/procurement support” roles and gain experience in the solar space as a PV installer of Sales Rep.
How to keep learning more
Procurement specialists are critical to ensuring our manufacturing supply will meet the market demand for utility and large-scale commercial/residential operations. With a role that spans the knowledge of the entire industry from commodity pricing to installation costs, make sure you stay up to date on everything solar. Subscribe to our blog for the latest information on the labor market in solar.
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