Category Manager (Solar Racking)

About the role

The Category Manager is responsible for leading and managing the sourcing, supplier management, and procurement strategy for assigned commodities, driving cost-effective solutions and supply continuity. This role develops and executes category strategies informed by market intelligence, financial trends, and long-term demand forecasts. The manager evaluates, segments, and maintains key supplier relationships, negotiates agreements and project-specific terms, and monitors performance using vendor scorecards and KPIs. Serving as subject-matter expert, they provide market insights, support budgeting and project procurement, and coordinate cross-functional teams to optimize sourcing decisions. This role focuses on optimizing costs, quality and delivery while improving Supply Chain efficiency and maintaining supplier relationships.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute multi-year commodity procurement strategy supporting the renewable energy project pipeline
• Identify and engage internal stakeholders across the business to capture category requirements
• Develop, document, and execute category sourcing strategies using best-cost approaches informed by market intelligence, financial trends, and global economic factors
• Maintain and monitor market technology trends, policy developments and regulatory changes, and adjust procurement strategies accordingly
• Incorporate market intelligence, analytics, and supplier insights into procurement and contracting strategies
• Forecast material demand and build capacity models to drive strategies and actions
• Evaluate and segment suppliers based on capabilities, capacity, quality, safety, material sources, and strategic value to the organization
• Monitor supplier performance and resolve issues related to pricing, quality, delivery, and product condition while mitigating supply chain risks
• Lead supplier relationship management for your commodity, including establishing vendor scorecards, addressing and improving performance and conducting Quarterly Business Reviews with key supplier/Partner
• Collaborate with internal technical teams and suppliers to optimize specifications and solutions
• Serve as a subject-matter expert, providing market insights, support budgeting and project procurement, and coordinate cross-functional teams to optimize sourcing decisions
• Support project management during both early-stage project development and late-stage execution
• Lead and support contract negotiations, including scope, pricing, terms and conditions, delivery schedules and change management
• Lead negotiations of Master Vendor Agreements (MVAs) and project-specific commercial terms while coordinating with legal, finance, permitting, and insurance teams
• Apply strong contracting and commercial skills, including scope development, contract editing and monitoring commercial changes from award through delivery
• Lead and manage sourcing activities including Requests for Proposal (RFP) reviews, primary bid requests, supplier quoting and evaluation of bids, proposals, and supplier capabilities
• Coordinate closely with estimating, engineering, legal and construction teams on all supply matters
• Ensure procurement agreements meet objectives related to safety, cost, schedule, quality and delivery performance
• Provide procurement market insights and subject-matter expertise (SME) to estimating, project management, and internal teams to support budgeting, pricing validation, and strategic decisions
• Support project procurement from estimate to execution, validating budgets against supplier pricing and ensuring sourcing strategies align with project needs
• Track and log all incoming vendor notices regarding project impacts, including tariff changes, force majeure events, and supply chain disruptions
• Analyze procurement data and supplier performance metrics to support company KPIs and continuously improve category management processes
• Supervise and mentor Buyers, as applicable, to ensure alignment with negotiated contracts, material strategies, and supplier commitments
• Lead, coach, and train Buyers and procurement personnel while fostering knowledge sharing and process improvement
• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in supply chain, Construction Management, Engineering, Business or related field OR equivalent combination of education and experience
• Seven+ years’ experience in strategic sourcing, commodity management, and/or contract negotiation
• Experience and knowledge in the commodity required
• Experience within construction industries preferred
• Supply Chain Certification (CSCP, CSCM, CPP, etc.) or demonstrated equivalent experience preferred

Working Environment

When visiting jobsites the work environment involves some exposure to hazards or physical risks, which require following basic safety precautions. This work environment may involve moderate exposure to unusual elements, such as extreme temperatures, dirt, dust, fumes, smoke, unpleasant odors and/or loud noises.