Substation Assistant Project Manager

Job Summary

The Assistant Project Manager - Substation Procurement supports the successful execution of electrical substation construction projects through procurement, material management, vendor management, logistics, and project support.

Responsibilities

• Source suppliers and solicit Requests for Quotation (RFQs) for substation materials and equipment.
• Evaluate supplier quotations for commercial competitiveness, technical compliance, lead times, freight costs, and overall value.
• Identify alternate manufacturers and equivalent materials that satisfy project specifications while reducing cost or improving delivery schedules.
• Carefully coordinate technical reviews with Engineering and Project Management for proposed material substitutions.
• Prepare procurement comparisons and recommendation packages for Project Managers.
• Issue purchase requisitions and coordinate with Purchasing for purchase order execution.
• Maintain procurement logs and ensure all project materials are ordered in accordance with project schedules.
• Develop and maintain relationships with manufacturers, distributors, fabricators, and suppliers.
• Monitor supplier production schedules and proactively expedite critical equipment and materials.
• Communicate regularly with vendors regarding manufacturing status, shipping dates, and delivery commitments.
• Resolve procurement issues including shortages, damaged shipments, manufacturing delays, and supplier discrepancies.
• Coordinate vendor documentation including shop drawings, product data, certifications, warranties, and O&M manuals.
• Track long-lead equipment and identify schedule risks early.
• Track material orders from purchase through final delivery to the project site.
• Coordinate shipping schedules with suppliers, freight carriers, warehouses, and field personnel.
• Maintain accurate material tracking reports and procurement dashboards.
• Verify deliveries are complete and reconcile packing slips against purchase orders.
• Clock replacement of damaged, missing, or incorrect materials.
• Aid project teams with forecasting upcoming material needs.
• Support multiple Project Managers on active substation construction projects.
• Participate in project kickoff meetings to develop procurement strategies and material schedules.
• Attend procurement meetings and provide status updates on critical materials.
• Aid in change order pricing by obtaining updated supplier quotations.
• Assist with project documentation and maintain organized procurement files.
• Aid in project closeout by obtaining warranties, certifications, spare parts documentation, and final vendor deliverables.
• Develop and maintain a preferred supplier database.
• Maintain pricing history and supplier performance metrics.
• Identify opportunities for bulk purchasing and standardized materials.
• Aid in developing procurement procedures and best practices.
• Monitor industry supply chain trends, lead times, and market pricing.

Qualifications

• 2-5 years of experience in procurement, project coordination, purchasing, supply chain, or project management.
• Experience within electrical utilities, substations, transmission, distribution, industrial electrical construction, EPC projects, or related industries preferred.
• Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Supply Chain Management, Engineering, Business, or related field preferred.
• Equivalent industry experience may be substituted for education.
• Working knowledge of electrical utility and substation materials including, but not limited to: Conduit, raceway, and cable trench systems Grounding systems Steel structures, grating systems & anchor bolts Concrete Poles & Piles 600V Power and Control cable Fiber Optic cable Aluminum and copper bus systems, fittings and connectors Hardware Concrete Aggregate Disconnect Switches Surge Arrestors CCVT, PTs Ability to read and interpret electrical drawings, material lists, and project specifications.
• Strong understanding of procurement processes, vendor management, and material logistics.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel.
• Experience with ERP systems, procurement software, or project management software is preferred.
• Exceptional organizational and time management skills.
• Strong attention to detail with excellent documentation practices.
• Ability to manage dozens of simultaneous material orders across multiple projects.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication.
• Ability to negotiate effectively with suppliers.
• Self-motivated with a strong sense of ownership and accountability.
• Ability to prioritize competing deadlines in a fast-paced construction environment.
• Collaborative team player capable of supporting multiple Project Managers simultaneously.
• Previous experience in electrical utility construction or EPC contracting.
• Existing relationships with substation manufacturers or electrical distributors.
• Knowledge of major utility-approved manufacturers and equivalent products.
• Experience with procurement scheduling, logistics coordination, and material expediting.
• Familiarity with Primavera P6, Procore, Oracle, Viewpoint, SAP, or similar project management and procurement systems.