Procurement Manager - Must Have Solar Experience

* Must have Solar Manufacturing experience*

The Procurement Manager is responsible for leading the organization's procurement, strategic sourcing, inventory planning, supplier management, logistics coordination, and material planning functions. This role ensures the uninterrupted supply of raw materials, components, equipment, and indirect goods while optimizing total cost, inventory investment, supplier performance, and operational efficiency. The Procurement Manager develops sourcing strategies, negotiates supplier agreements, manages purchasing activities, supports production planning, and collaborates across operations, engineering, finance, quality, and sales to ensure materials are available to meet customer demand while maintaining cost competitiveness and quality standards.

Job Duties and Responsibilities:

• Develop and execute procurement strategies that support company growth, manufacturing objectives, and financial goals.
• Source domestic and international suppliers for raw materials, components, packaging, equipment, and indirect purchases.
• Lead competitive bidding (RFQ/RFP/RFIs), supplier selection, contract negotiations, and supplier onboarding.
• Negotiate pricing, payment terms, delivery schedules, warranties, and long-term supply agreements.
• Manage annual procurement spending while achieving cost savings initiatives.
• Identify alternate suppliers to reduce supply chain risk and improve sourcing flexibility.
• Monitor commodity markets and pricing trends affecting purchased materials.

Supplier Relationship Management

• Develop strategic partnerships with key suppliers.
• Measure supplier performance using KPIs including:
• On-Time Delivery
• Quality Performance
• Cost Competitiveness
• Lead Time
• Responsiveness
• Capacity
• Conduct supplier business reviews.
• Resolve supplier quality and delivery issues.
• Lead supplier corrective action initiatives.
• Support supplier audits and qualification activities.

Procurement Operations

• Oversee purchasing activities from requisition through purchase order issuance and receipt.
• Ensure purchase orders are accurate and issued in accordance with procurement policies.
• Monitor supplier acknowledgements and shipment schedules.
• Coordinate expedited shipments when necessary.
• Ensure purchasing records and ERP data remain accurate.
• Maintain purchasing procedures and internal controls.

Demand Planning & Material Planning

• Collaborate with Sales, Production Planning, and Operations to forecast material requirements.
• Translate demand forecasts into purchasing plans.
• Develop inventory replenishment strategies.
• Balance inventory investment with customer service objectives.
• Monitor forecast accuracy and recommend improvements.

Inventory Management

• Optimize inventory levels while minimizing stock-outs and excess inventory.
• Establish:
• Safety Stock
• Minimum/Maximum Levels
• Reorder Points
• Economic Order Quantities (EOQ)
• Improve inventory turns.
• Reduce obsolete and slow-moving inventory.
• Participate in cycle counts and physical inventory activities.

Logistics & Transportation

• Coordinate inbound transportation and supplier deliveries.
• Work with freight carriers, customs brokers, and logistics providers.
• Optimize freight costs while maintaining service levels.
• Monitor shipping performance and delivery metrics.
• Support warehouse efficiency initiatives.

Cost Management

• Identify and implement cost reduction initiatives.
• Conduct total cost of ownership analyses.
• Evaluate make-versus-buy opportunities.
• Reduce transportation costs.
• Improve purchasing efficiencies.
• Support annual budgeting and forecasting processes.

Risk Management

• Identify supply chain risks related to:
• Single-source suppliers
• Capacity constraints
• Geopolitical events
• Tariffs
• Natural disasters
• Material shortage
• Develop supplier contingency plans.
• Monitor supplier financial health.
• Ensure business continuity strategies are maintained.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

Partner closely with:

• Production
• Manufacturing
• Engineering
• Quality Assurance
• Finance
• Sales
• Planning
• Warehouse Operations to ensure procurement activities align with production schedules, customer demand, inventory objectives, and financial targets.

Leadership

• Lead and develop purchasing and procurement personnel.
• Establish department goals and performance metrics.
• Conduct employee coaching, performance evaluations, and development planning.
• Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Ensure compliance with company policies and ethical sourcing standards.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Purchase Price Variance (PPV)
• Annual Cost Savings
• Inventory Turns
• Inventory Accuracy
• Supplier On-Time Delivery
• Supplier Quality Performance (PPM)
• Purchase Order Cycle Time
• Material Availability
• Forecast Accuracy
• Stock-Out Frequency
• Supplier Lead Time Performance
• Procurement Budget Compliance

Educational Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Operations Management, Engineering, or a related field.
• 5–10 years of progressive procurement, purchasing, supply chain, or sourcing experience.
• Minimum of 3 years of leadership or supervisory experience.
• Experience negotiating supplier contracts and managing strategic supplier relationships.
• Experience with ERP/MRP systems in a manufacturing environment.
• Strong analytical and financial acumen.

Experience:

• Experience in solar, electronics, automotive, semiconductor, or advanced manufacturing.
• APICS Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP)
• APICS Certified in Planning and Inventory Management (CPIM)
• Institute for Supply Management Certified Professional in Supply Management (CPSM)
• Lean Manufacturing or Six Sigma certification
• Experience managing international suppliers and global sourcing initiatives

Translucent Solar LLC is an American solar module manufacturer located in Summerville, SC. The company produces high-performance photovoltaic modules for the Residential, Commercial & Industrial (C&I), community solar, and utility-scale markets, enabling customers to access reliable U.S.-made products, domestic content benefits, and a resilient supply chain. Through advanced manufacturing, strategic partnerships, and a commitment to quality, Translucent Solar is helping power America's clean energy future.