Procurement Specialist

Are you a strategic thinker with a passion for optimising procurement processes? Then look no further! Stern Energy are seeking a Procurement Specialist to join our dynamic team. You will join our team who are friendly, enthusiastic and committed to raising standards. This position comes at an exciting time for our fast-growing company.

Who are we? Stern Energy operates ground mounted photovoltaic systems for over 400MW in the UK. We are among the largest operators in Europe with activities in 5 Countries and over 1.6GW under management. We are specialised in proposing and executing revamping and repowering projects to enhance the performance of the assets we operate.

How do we work?

EXPERTISE, RESPONSE, TRANSPARENCY AND PASSION: our values guide our work.

Our professional commitment is to translate the expertise gained into maximum plant efficiency and maintenance of long-term performance. We provide an integrated, timely and effective service based on a "Total Quality" approach, of experience, know-how and nationwide services.

We continually invest in equipment and technology to refine our procedures and operating methods; we provide our services through internal staff to ensure autonomy and maximum responsiveness. Transparency is key to our work so that our customers can rely on constant control of the plants and the quality of services provided. Customer relations is our passion to building a lasting relationship of trust.

We have a dedicated internal team of specifically qualified, multi-disciplined engineers boasting significant expertise, all of whom are solution providers.

What will you be doing?

The Procurement Specialist will play a critical role in supporting Project Managers with the revamping and repowering of utility-scale solar projects, as well as extraordinary services for operation and maintenance contracts. This position involves coordinating the procurement of equipment, materials, and services essential for the successful execution of solar projects. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in procurement within the renewable energy sector, particularly in large-scale solar projects.

The intended role is also to give procurement support to our Portfolio managers to ensure where possible and efficient that 3 supplier quotes are obtained for each significant purchase. To work closely with the Portfolio Managers to ensure the procurement activities are in the project programme requirements.

The procurement specialist will be reporting to the Portfolio and Monitoring Team Lead.

Main responsibilities

Procurement Management

Develop and implement procurement strategies for solar project revamping and repowering.

Identify and evaluate suppliers, negotiate contracts, and manage supplier relationships.

Ensure timely and cost-effective procurement of materials, equipment, and services.

Supplier Coordination:

Collaborate with suppliers to ensure the quality and timely delivery of materials and equipment.

Manage supplier performance, resolve issues, and ensure compliance with contract terms.

Project Support:

Assist Project Managers with procurement planning, budgeting, and scheduling.

Coordinate with engineering and construction teams to align procurement activities with project timelines.

Track and report procurement status, highlighting any potential delays or issues.

Contract Management:

Prepare and manage contracts, purchase orders, and change orders.

Ensure all procurement activities comply with company policies and legal requirements.

Cost Control:

Monitor and control procurement costs to ensure adherence to project budgets.

Identify cost-saving opportunities and implement strategies to optimize procurement expenditures.

Documentation and Reporting:

Maintain accurate procurement records, including contracts, purchase orders, and delivery schedules.

Prepare regular reports on procurement activities, supplier performance, and project status.

Continuous Improvement:

Identify and implement process improvements to enhance procurement efficiency and effectiveness.

Stay informed about industry trends, market conditions, and best practices in solar project procurement.

Contractors

The resource will be responsible for the securing of contractors, and be the key contractor liaison.

Expectations will be to ensure we have a consistent development of contractors that enable Stern to obtain the best possible market price and quality. This should be an evolving and dynamic process

Qualifications & Skills

Bachelor’s degree in Supply chain management, Business administration, Engineering, or a related field is preferred not essential

Minimum of 1 years of procurement experience and/or other related industries such as electrical, preferably in the renewable energy or utility-scale solar industry.

Must have clear understanding of the procurement function, and of working in line with product and procurement principles

Professional certification e.g CIPS is a plus.

Experience with ERP systems.

Strong negotiation and contract management skills.

Excellent organisational and time management skills.

Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment.

Proficiency in procurement software and Microsoft Office Suite.

Knowledge of industry standards and regulations related to solar energy projects.

Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.

Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

High levels of drive and enthusiasm, results driven and the ability to work to tight timescales and deadlines.

Analytical thinking and problem solving skills;

Driving License Preferred

Place of work: Aston office Birmingham

A great benefit package to include:

Employee Assistant programme, 3rd party support for help when you need it

Pension scheme

Inflation support policy

Refer a friend incentive

Team building days

Great company culture and regular social events

Wellness Wednesday for 30 minutes every week for mindfulness on top of lunch break

Extensive learning and development programme

Regular wellbeing check-ins

Company mobile phone

25 days of annual leave plus Bank holidays

Toil mechanism

Flexible working policy