Procurement Specialist

FLSA Classification: Exempt

Salary Range:  $100,000 - $115,000 plus bonus and incentive stock options 

Reports to: Director, Supply Chain

Location: New York City (Hybrid)

About The Company:

NineDot's name derives from the classic mathematical puzzle for sparking out-of-the-box solutions. As a leading community-scale, clean energy developer with a growing portfolio of projects across a range of technologies, NineDot Energy is creating innovative energy solutions that support a more resilient electric grid, deliver economic savings, address environmental justice, and reduce carbon emissions. We plan to develop, build and operate more than 400 MW of clean energy systems by 2026 that will strengthen the local power grid infrastructure and provide clean, reliable and resilient power to tens of thousands of New York households and businesses. This is all in support of New York State’s mission to achieve 100% clean energy by 2040.

With the backing of Manulife Investment Management and The Carlyle Group - two of the world’s leading infrastructure investors - NineDot is continuing to expand its core battery energy storage pipeline, deliver enhanced products and services, explore new regions and consider potential acquisitions all to advance the decarbonization of New York’s grid. This is an exciting opportunity to build a platform from the ground-up with a world-class team of developers and innovators. NineDot is committed to building a company that exemplifies diversity, equity and inclusion values in its team culture, as well as business practices and community engagement.

Job Summary

Reporting to the Director, Supply Chain, the Procurement Specialist will play a critical role in overseeing the procurement, negotiation, and contracting of goods and services required for clean energy projects and NineDot Energy’s corporate procurement needs. The ideal candidate will have a proven track record in procurement, strong negotiation skills, and the ability to build and manage relationships with suppliers and contractors.

Roles and responsibilities

• Create and monitor Purchase Orders, including the assembly of documents used to produce PO’s.
• Resolve vendor mismatch and invoice related issues.
• Track various functions of Supply Chain responsibility, maintain trackers, and monitor Contact expiration/renewal.
• Confirm/track receipt of goods and services, as well as status of products in transit and warehouses.
• Prepare contracts from provided templates.
• Assist with analyzing and monitoring supplier performance and participate in implementation of  improvement strategies when necessary.
• Update, revise, and generate new reports related to all supply chain functions.
• Schedule and participate in regular supplier evaluations.
• Support RFP’s and larger bids, to include assisting with building the requests, scheduling, tracking responses, initial review of documents, organizing and analyzing data, and attending meetings with internal shareholders and vendors.
• Identify and evaluate potential suppliers meeting bid requirements, including NineDot’s ESG goals.
• Occasionally take responsibility for smaller bid opportunities, from inception to final contracting, with the oversight and assistance of the Director of Supply Chain.
• Negotiate favorable terms and conditions in contracts, ensuring compliance with company policies and relevant regulations.
• Assist with revising procurement systems, including restructuring structure of how data is stored as well as collaborating on revised processes..
• Proactively identify and assess risks related to procurement activities.
• Implement best practices in procurement to enhance overall project outcomes.
• Participate in the transfer of procurement systems into SAP.
• Gain knowledge and competence of the upcoming SAP systems and procedures, sufficient to assist co-workers to utilize the procurement-related tools. 
• Participate in project meetings to provide procurement insights and support.

Competencies for Success

• Problem Solving - Uses rigorous logic and methods to solve difficult problems with effective solutions; conducts excellent and honest analysis; looks beyond the obvious and doesn’t stop at the first answer.
• Interpersonal Savvy - Able to relate well to all individuals within and beyond the organization; builds appropriate rapport along with constructive and effective relationships; uses diplomacy and tact.
• Perseverance -  Pursues everything with energy, drive, and a need to finish; seldom gives up before finishing, especially in the face of resistance or setbacks.
• Dealing With Ambiguity - Can effectively cope with change and shift gears comfortably; can decide and act without having the total picture.
• Creativity - Capable of coming up with new and unique ideas; easily makes connections among previously unrelated notions.
• Technical Learning - Picks up on technical things quickly, capable of learning new skills and knowledge, good at learning new industry, company, product, or technical knowledge.
• Intellectual Horsepower - Demonstrated ability to deal with concepts and complexity comfortably; described as intellectually sharp, capable,and agile.

Required education and experience

• Bachelor's degree, preferably in Business, Supply Chain Management, or a related field.
• Proven experience in procurement, from entering and resolving issues with purchase orders and invoices to bidding, negotiation, and drafting contracts.
• Strong organizational and contract management skills.
• Track record of leveraging technology to enhance productivity and solve problems including proficiency with: Google Suite and Microsoft Suite, esp. Excel.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills.
• Experience resolving vendor issues politely, respectfully, and to the company’s advantage.

Desired experience

• Proficiency with: Asana and Airtable.
• SAP: utilization for Procurement Purposes, as well as building and improving processes.
• Direct experience in renewable energy or construction industry.
• Familiarity with relevant procurement regulations and compliance standards (e.g. IRA and related guidance, UFLPA, AD/CVD tariff petitions).

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.  

Affirmative Action/EEO statement

We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer and committed to leveraging the diverse backgrounds, perspectives and experience of our workforce to create opportunities for our colleagues and our business. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, gender expression, gender identity, sex, age, ancestry, marital status, protected veteran and military status, disability, medical condition, sexual orientation, genetic information, or any other status of an individual or that individual’s associates or relatives that is protected under applicable federal, state, or local law.

Covid 19 Protocol

NineDot continues to monitor local COVID-19 protocols mandated by state and federal governments. For those who will be joining events in person, you may be required to test before meetings.