McKinstry

DER Procurement Leader

McKinstry • $114K — $192K *
Seattle, WA 98115In-Person
Energy & Utilities
Less than 5 years of experience
Today
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Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 5-7 years in strategic procurement leadership within a governed enterprise environment.
  • Expertise in Distributed Energy Resources (DER) technologies and Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) models.
  • Familiarity with regulatory compliance affecting DER sourcing, such as IRA and trade tariffs.
  • Experience negotiating master agreements focused on performance guarantees and asset obligations.
  • Strong ability in managing supply risk, including commodity volatility and capacity constraints.
  • Knowledge of supplier governance and integration of safety and ESG in procurement practices.
  • Analytical skills to benchmark supplier performance and develop cost structures.

Responsibilities

  • Develop and execute DER procurement strategy focusing on risk mitigation and competitiveness.
  • Negotiate long-term sourcing agreements and manage supplier relationships for quality and availability.
  • Lead sourcing and procurement activities, ensuring cost control and long-term savings.
  • Design Master Supply Agreements that enable scalability and address performance obligations.
  • Align DER sourcing with Enterprise Procurement policies and governance for commercial advantage.
  • Manage supplier performance, health, and compliance with ESG standards.
  • Oversee a team by providing direction and management support.

Benefits

  • Competitive pay and profit-sharing 401(k) plan.
  • Extensive medical, dental, and vision insurance with low deductibles.
  • Generous family formation support including IVF and adoption benefits.
  • Substantial paid parental leave of up to 16 weeks.
  • Transgender inclusive healthcare options.
  • Commuter benefits for transportation costs.
  • Pet insurance to support employee pet care needs.
  • Community service time to encourage volunteer work and social responsibility.
  • Learning and career development opportunities through McKinstry University.
Full Job Description
The Opportunity with McKinstry

We are currently seeking a DER Procurement Leader to join our EcoDistrict Services - DER Nationalteam. This role is responsible for directing and executing the overall DER procurement strategy. It serves as a leader in the Distributed Energy Resources (DER) organization-leading strategy for material risk mitigation, supply chain competitiveness, and policy navigation for the DER offering. This role leverages comprehensive expertise in DER, as well as experience in the Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) industry. It is responsible for cultivating supplier relationships, formulating long-term sourcing strategies, developing master agreements, and proactively managing a robust, compliant, and scalable supplier ecosystem. Additional responsibilities may include:

  • DER strategic partnership & guidance: Act as the strategic advisor to DER leadership and project teams, translating business goals into executed supply chain strategies; providing knowledge and options on commodity volatility, lead-time fluctuations, and technology obsolescence; and navigating policy and regulatory requirements (e.g., IRA, domestic content, trade tariffs) to maintain competitiveness and compliance.
  • Identify, build and manage key partnerships with suppliers: Negotiate with external vendors to develop a supply chain that provides the best quality, price and availability of goods, raw materials, equipment, supplies, and services immediately and into the future.
  • Leadsourcing and procurement activities, including supplier evaluations, contract negotiations, logistics, delivery planning, and oversight/approval of ordering of necessary goods and services. Control spend and build a culture of long-term saving on procurement costs.
  • Ecosystem & master agreement development: Design and execute Master Supply Agreements (MSAs) that enable scalability; structure agreements to address long-term asset performance, warranties, and liquidated damages; and curate preferred-partner networks across key DER/EPC suppliers.
  • Enterprise Procurement integration (the "bridge"): Ensure DER sourcing aligns with Enterprise Procurement governance and policy; serve as the conduit between DER and Enterprise Procurement- leverage enterprise scale and supplier frameworks to maximize commercial advantage.
  • Active ecosystem management: Implement supplier governance to monitor safety, ESG, and performance compliance; and proactively manage supplier health and capacity to identify bottlenecks before they impact project delivery.
  • May directly manage one or more direct reports


What You Need To Succeed at McKinstry:

Required Knowledge
  • Strategic procurement leadership: Command of strategic sourcing, category strategy, supplier segmentation, and end-to-end supplier lifecycle management in a governed enterprise procurement environment.
  • DER & EPC ecosystem: Knowledge of DER technologies and delivery models (e.g., BESS and controls, inverters/PCS, transformers/switchgear, civil/installation, commissioning/O&M) and how EPC partners and OEMs structure scope, risk, and pricing.
  • Policy, regulatory, and trade compliance: Working knowledge of requirements impacting DER sourcing (e.g., IRA/ITC/PTC, domestic content, tariffs/trade restrictions) and the ability to translate policy into supplier/contracting requirements and bid competitiveness implications.
  • Commercial structuring & contract governance (MPAs/MSAs): Experience developing and negotiating master agreements and project forms addressing warranties, performance guarantees, liquidated damages, change control, and long-term asset performance obligations.
  • Supply risk & resiliency: Expertise mitigating commodity volatility, lead-time constraints, capacity bottlenecks, and technology obsolescence through dual sourcing, qualification plans, inventory/lead-time strategies, and supplier health monitoring.
  • Supplier governance, safety, and ESG: Knowledge of supplier governance practices (scorecards/QBRs), supplier risk/compliance frameworks, and integration of safety and ESG expectations into qualification, contracting, and performance management.
  • Market intelligence, benchmarking & analytics: Ability to benchmark suppliers and delivery models against peers and market indices; build should-cost/TCO views; and use performance data to drive actions and provide insights.

Required Abilities
  • Strategic Thinking: Ability to develop and execute long-term category strategies aligned with business and sustainability goals.
  • Cross-Functional Collaboration: Skilled in working with engineering, legal, finance, and project teams to align procurement with broader organizational needs.
  • Complex negotiation: Demonstrated skill in negotiating complex commercial and risk terms (e.g., performance guarantees, LDs, warranties) with OEMs and EPC partners while protecting long-term asset outcomes.
  • Communication: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to present complex information clearly to diverse audiences.
  • Project Management: Ability to manage multiple sourcing initiatives simultaneously, in a fast paced and often nuanced environment while ensuring timely execution and alignment with project milestones.
  • Ambiguity tolerance & agility: Comfortable operating in fast-moving environments with incomplete data, adjusting strategy based on shifting market signals, policy updates, and DER priorities.


PeopleFirst Benefits

When it comes to the basics, we have you covered:
  • Competitive pay
  • 401(k) with employer match and profit-sharing plan
  • Paid time off and holidays
  • Comprehensive medical, prescription, dental, and vision with low or zero deductible options and low out of pocket maximums

People come first at McKinstry, and we go beyond the basic benefits with:
  • Family formation benefits, including adoption and IVF assistance
  • Up to 16 weeks paid parental leave
  • Transgender inclusive benefits
  • Commuter benefits
  • Pet insurance
  • "Building Good" paid community service time
  • Learning and advancement opportunities via McKinstry University
  • McKinstry Moves onsite gyms or reimbursement for remote workers

See benefit plan documents for complete details.

If you're driven by our vision to build a thriving planet together, McKinstry is the place to build your career.

The pay range for this position is $114,210 - $192,200 per year; however, base pay offered may vary depending on job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. A bonus may be provided as part of the compensation package, in addition to a full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits, dependent on the position offered. Base pay information is based on market location.

About McKinstry

McKinstry is an engineering company specializing in designing, constructing, operating, and maintaining high-performing buildings. Its professional staff and tradespeople deliver consulting, construction, energy, and facility services. As an early adopter of the DBOM process, the company advocates collaborative and sustainable solutions that are designed to ensure occupant comfort, improve systems efficiency, reduce facility operational costs, and ultimately optimize client profitability for the life of their building. McKinstry works with school districts, universities, municipalities, hospitals, and private companies nationwide. Its clients care about long-term planning, saving energy, and driving out waste, and have sophisticated facilities that require nothing but the best. The company was established in 1960 in Seattle, Washington.

McKinstry Careers

Joining McKinstry presents a prime opportunity to be part of a team that values innovation, leadership, and diversity training. McKinstry, a leader in designing, constructing, and managing efficient buildings, offers a variety of job opportunities that cater to professionals eager to drive sustainable changes in the industry.

Explore Job Opportunities

McKinstry is actively hiring and offers a range of positions that suit different skills and career aspirations. From engineering to project management, McKinstry seeks passionate, curious, and solution-driven team players. Explore open positions that match your professional interests and skills.

Internship Programs

McKinstry provides robust internship programs designed to foster growth and offer real-world experience in a supportive environment. Internships are a cornerstone of McKinstry’s commitment to professional development, helping interns to enhance their resumes and prepare for full-time roles through hands-on projects and mentorship.

Employee Benefits and Company Culture

McKinstry is dedicated to supporting its team members not only in their professional lives but also in their personal growth and well-being. The company offers competitive benefits, including health, dental, and vision insurance, alongside opportunities for leadership development and diversity training. The culture at McKinstry is built on a foundation of respect and inclusion, where every team member’s contribution is valued.

Professional Growth and Development

Career growth at McKinstry is propelled by continuous learning and innovation. Employees are encouraged to take leadership roles within projects, participate in networking events, and engage in ongoing education programs. McKinstry supports career advancement through professional development courses and certifications.

Networking and Innovation

At McKinstry, networking and innovation go hand in hand. Employees are encouraged to collaborate across teams and disciplines, driving innovation that leads to industry-leading solutions and practices. McKinstry’s commitment to sustainability and efficient building solutions offers a unique platform for professionals to impact the future of the built environment.

Diversity and Inclusion

Diversity training and inclusion are integral to McKinstry’s ethos. The company strives to create a workplace where diverse perspectives are embraced, and everyone has the opportunity to succeed. McKinstry believes that a diverse workforce fosters creativity and innovation, which are critical for leadership in the industry.

Applying for a Position

When applying for a position at McKinstry, candidates are advised to tailor their resumes to highlight relevant experience and skills. The interview process is designed to assess not only professional qualifications but also a candidate’s fit within McKinstry’s culture and values.

Stay Connected with McKinstry Careers

Keep up to date with the latest from McKinstry through the Careers Blog. Gain insights from insider perspectives, and stay informed about new job opportunities and company news. Personalize your subscription to receive job alerts and insider tips tailored to your preferences.

Join McKinstry

Search for open positions that align with your skills and interests on the McKinstry Jobs portal. Discover what exciting and rewarding opportunities await at McKinstry, where your career development is supported by an unwavering commitment to innovation and leadership.

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Learn more about McKinstry
Size
5,001 employees
Industry
Real Estate & Construction
* Ladders Estimates

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