Location: Lexington, Kentucky Work Arrangement: In-office
Position Summary
Solar Energy Solutions (SES) is seeking a Procurement Manager to lead purchasing, supplier management, inventory coordination, and material planning for residential, commercial, and small utility-scale solar projects. This role ensures that materials, equipment, tools, and supplies are purchased at competitive prices, meet quality expectations, and arrive when needed to support project schedules and field operations.
Working closely with operations, warehouse, project management, sales, engineering, finance, and field teams, the Procurement Manager will strengthen supplier relationships, maintain accurate inventory and purchasing records, manage procurement risks, and continuously improve purchasing processes as SES grows.
Key Responsibilities
Procurement and Purchasing
• Manage the end-to-end purchasing process for solar modules, inverters, racking, batteries, electrical components, EV chargers, tools, equipment, and other project materials.
• Prepare, review, issue, and track purchase orders, order confirmations, delivery schedules, invoices, and related procurement records.
• Compare supplier quotes and purchasing options to balance cost, quality, availability, and delivery requirements.
• Negotiate pricing, lead times, payment terms, delivery arrangements, and contract terms to achieve cost savings and reliable supply.
• Initiate, measure and report on critical success factors and KPI's including (but not limited to) the following:
• Quarterly and annual cost-savings initiatives and measures aligned with operational goals and objectives
• Optimization of vendor credit lines and payment terms aligned with financial KPIs
• On-time delivery and availability metrics based on operational requirements, and inventory control
Supplier and Vendor Management
• Develop and maintain productive relationships with manufacturers, distributors, vendors, and subcontractor partners. Address supplier issues and resolve shortages, order discrepancies, damaged materials, delays, and product concerns.
• Evaluate supplier performance based on pricing, product quality, delivery accuracy, responsiveness, warranty support, and service. Create and maintain supplier ratings, using pricing, delivery and quality criterion.
• Identify opportunities to consolidate purchasing, improve terms, and strengthen supply continuity.
Inventory and Material Coordination
• Maintain accurate inventory records and purchasing information in applicable inventory or business systems.
• Monitor stock levels, forecast recurring needs, and plan for project-specific and long-lead materials.
• Coordinate with warehouse, project management, engineering, and field operations to ensure materials are available and staged for scheduled installations.
• Identify and manage overstock, shortages, obsolete inventory, and control shipping costs.
Cost Control, Reporting, and Risk Management
• Maintain and forecast purchasing requirements on monthly, quarterly and annual basis. Create budgets and initiate cost-control efforts focused on material costs, quotes, purchasing trends, and variances.
• Partner with Finance to resolve invoice discrepancies, maintain accurate purchasing spend, and support month-end reporting.
• Anticipate procurement risks such as supply shortages, price fluctuations, shipping delays, and product availability issues; recommend mitigation plans.
• Monitor relevant solar technology, equipment standards, code requirements, and market trends that may affect purchasing decisions.
Process Improvement and Collaboration
• Improve procurement and inventory workflows, documentation, best practices, and work cross functionally across operations, finance and procurement department.
• Provide timely updates on order status, expected delivery dates, material shortages, and potential project impacts.
• Build effective working relationships with office, warehouse, and field teams to support safe, efficient, and on-time project delivery.
Required Qualifications
• Demonstrated experience in procurement, purchasing, supply chain, inventory management, construction operations, or a related field.
Experience sourcing and ordering solar or similar electrical materials and components, such as inverters, electrical panels, breakers, disconnects, wire, conduit, connectors, and other balance-of-system (BOS) components. Familiarity with electrical supply distributors, solar equipment manufacturers, product specifications, and material requirements for residential and commercial solar installations.
• Strong negotiation, supplier relationship management, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to manage competing priorities, deadlines, and material requirements in a fast-paced, project-driven environment.
• High attention to detail and accuracy in purchase orders, pricing, delivery information, inventory records, and documentation.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills and the ability to work effectively across departments.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, particularly Excel, Outlook, and Teams.
• Valid driver's license and ability to travel locally as needed to warehouses, suppliers, or project sites.
Preferred Qualifications
• Experience in solar or renewable energy, electrical construction, general construction, manufacturing, or distribution.
• Knowledge of solar modules, inverters, racking systems, batteries, EV chargers, electrical balance-of-system materials, and construction tools.
• Experience with inventory, ERP, accounting, or project management systems.
• Familiarity with vendor contracts, warranties, shipping logistics, and material staging for construction projects.
• Experience supporting multi-site operations or project-based purchasing.
Work Environment
This is an in-office position based in Lexington, Kentucky, with occasional visits to warehouses, supplier locations, or project sites. The role requires regular communication with employees across office and operational environments.
Physical Requirements
• Ability to sit, stand, walk, and use a computer for extended periods.
• Ability to visit warehouse and jobsite environments as needed.
• Ability to occasionally lift or move materials weighing up to 25 pounds, with assistance when needed.
