Category Manager

YOUR PROFILE

You are an experienced professional in procurement, strategic sourcing, supply chain, contract management, or similar fields. You have in-depth knowledge of and experience in the renewable energy sector, with specific expertise in the solar photovoltaic and battery energy storage system (BESS) markets. You bring solid management experience, having led teams of procurement and contract management professionals. You demonstrate strong communications and project management skills and a proven ability to work collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders. You would like to work for a pioneering Canadian company with strong human values in the field of renewable energy.

YOUR CHALLENGE

Reporting to the Senior Director, Procurement, you will organize and lead Boralex procurements of solar photovoltaic, battery energy storage (BESS), electrical and other equipment and services for solar and BESS projects.

Working closely with various groups within Boralex, you will have the following responsibilities:

• Lead a team of procurement and contract managers working mostly with storage and solar projects.
• Develop market knowledge and contribute to the establishment and maintenance of relationships with reputable solar module, inverter, tracker and battery energy storage system (BESS) suppliers and related services providers.
• Develop a strong understanding of major solar and storage suppliers’ capabilities, technology roadmaps, market positioning, and strategies; monitor market trends, technology evolution, pricing dynamics, tariff and trade impacts, and supply chain risks, and build sourcing strategies accordingly.
• Work closely with the development team to support market and cost forecasting, contributing to assumptions that enable a successful commercial strategy.
• Organize the preparation of RFIs and RFPs for solar PV equipment, battery energy storage systems (BESS) and other equipment and services in accordance with Boralex standards. Organize and manage the commercial and technical evaluation of suppliers’ proposals with a multidisciplinary team composed of specialists from engineering, construction, development, project management, asset management, finance and other disciplines.
• Organize multidisciplinary teams for contractual negotiations, lead and coordinate the negotiation process, and ensure compliance with approval requirements from the relevant governance bodies for contract execution.
• Assist in or lead the resolution of issues and disputes with suppliers during manufacturing, delivery, project implementation, or operations for solar and storage projects, including warranty and performance claims.
• Lead processes with suppliers to support Boralex’s Corporate Social Responsibility strategy, including supply chain due diligence on forced labour, traceability and ESG.
• Contribute to the development of the procurement function by providing ideas, feedback and requirements from your areas of responsibility, and work closely with the Senior Director, Procurement and other procurement leads to develop consistent approaches and processes, align strategies, and expand internal expertise and efficiency.
• Other tasks that fall under the responsibilities of the procurement team .

NB This position includes occasional travel within North America.

YOUR SKILLS

• Bachelor’s or master’s degree in administration, finance, supply chain, engineering, or equivalent combination of education or experience.
• More than 10 years of experience in the renewable energy sector, including in roles such as Procurement Director, Category Manager, or equivalent senior procurement positions, with a focus on solar PV and/or battery energy storage equipment. Lesser experience may be considered if complemented by demonstrated subject-matter expertise.
• Experience in leading supply contract negotiations for solar and storage projects and managing contracts worth over CAD 100 million.
• Established relationships with key solar PV and battery energy storage OEMs at both working and decision-making levels, with in-depth knowledge of the supply chain, including component technologies and cell chemistry trends.
• Demonstrated leadership experience in implementing cross-functional projects; ability to lead and guide stakeholder team outcomes.
• Experience managing teams in a matrix organization, including direct reports and indirect contributors across multiple functions and geographies.
• Excellent project management skills; high degree of organisational skills; highly organised personal working habits.
• High level of negotiation skills; demonstrated ability to be persuasive, negotiate, and obtain consensus.
• Excellent command of the Microsoft suite.
• Team player and ability to work effectively under pressure and prioritise multiple deadlines.
• French  would be considered an asset.