Procurement Specialist

Rethink Electric; Wood Dale (IL); On-site; USD 100,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

401(k) with company match

Paid time off

Workwear stipend

Job summary

Rethink Electric is looking for a Procurement professional to join the Operations Pre-Construction team. You will develop competitive project estimates, support strategic sourcing initiatives, and maintain relationships with key suppliers and subcontractors for utility-scale solar projects.

You will collaborate with estimating, engineering, and construction to ensure accurate pricing, identify cost-saving opportunities, and drive value engineering.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Construction Management, Supply Chain, Business, or related field.
• 5+ years of experience in estimating, procurement, project engineering, or preconstruction within renewable energy or construction.
• Experience with commercial or utility-scale solar EPC projects.
• Strong understanding of construction methods, project scheduling, and procurement processes.
• Excellent analytical and negotiation skills.
• Strong proficiency in Microsoft Excel.
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain strategic relationships with equipment manufacturers, distributors, and subcontractors.
• Obtain competitive pricing for major equipment including electrical balance-of-system materials, medium-voltage equipment, PV modules, and racking systems.
• Support contract negotiations and commercial discussions with suppliers.
• Track market pricing trends, lead times, tariffs, and supply chain risks.
• Assist with procurement planning and early sourcing strategies.
• Prepare EPC cost estimates for commercial and distributed generation solar projects.
• Collaborate with internal teams to optimize purchasing strategies and reduce project costs.

Skills

Strategic sourcing

Cost analysis

Negotiation

Financial analysis

Strong communication

Presentation skills

Team-oriented mindset

Excel proficiency

Project management

Analytical thinking

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Construction Management, Supply Chain, Business or related field

Tools

ERP systems

Estimating software

Procurement software

Job description

Compensation: $100,000–$120,000 based on experience

Travel: Occasional travel as business needs requires

About Rethink

Rethink Electric offers the opportunity to work on utility-scale and commercial renewable energy projects across the Midwest while developing specialized expertise in solar commissioning, controls, troubleshooting, and system performance. This role provides direct exposure to field operations, emerging technologies, and cross-functional collaboration within a growing renewable energy organization. Rethink Electric is dedicated to delivering safe, reliable, and high-quality renewable energy solutions. We foster a culture built on accountability, collaboration, continuous improvement, and technical excellence, empowering employees to make a meaningful impact on the future of clean energy.

Position Overview

Rethink Electric is seeking a highly motivated and detail-oriented Procurement professional to join the Operations Pre-Construction team. This role will serve as a critical link between estimating, procurement, engineering, and construction by developing competitive project estimates, supporting strategic sourcing initiatives, and maintaining relationships with key suppliers and subcontractors.

The ideal candidate has a strong understanding of commercial and utility-scale solar EPC projects, excels at analyzing project costs, and is passionate about driving continuous improvement in pricing, procurement strategy, and estimating processes.

Key Responsibilities

Procurement

• Develop and maintain strategic relationships with equipment manufacturers, distributors, and subcontractors.
• Obtain competitive pricing for major equipment including:
• Electrical balance-of-system materials
• Medium-voltage equipment
• PV Modules
• Racking systems
• Support contract negotiations and commercial discussions with suppliers.
• Track market pricing trends, lead times, tariffs, and supply chain risks.
• Assist with procurement planning and early sourcing strategies.
• Support development and maintenance of preferred vendor programs.
• Collaborate with internal teams to optimize purchasing strategies and reduce project costs.
• Prepare complete EPC cost estimates for commercial and distributed generation (DG) solar projects.
• Develop conceptual, budgetary, and detailed estimates throughout the project lifecycle.
• Analyze drawings, specifications, geotechnical reports, and other project documents to identify scope, risks, and pricing opportunities.
• Solicit and evaluate subcontractor and vendor quotations.
• Perform quantity takeoffs and develop labor, equipment, and material pricing.
• Identify value engineering opportunities that improve project competitiveness while maintaining quality and schedule.
• Support proposal development and participate in client presentations as required.
• Maintain historical cost databases and continuously improve estimating assumptions and cost models.

Cross Functional Responsibilities

• Work closely with Engineering, Pre-Construction, and Construction throughout the preconstruction process.
• Support project handoffs from estimating to Construction.
• Participate in value engineering workshops.
• Assist in developing and improving estimating and procurement standard operating procedures (SOPs).
• Maintain pricing databases and market intelligence.
• Monitor commodity pricing and market trends affecting solar EPC costs.
• Help standardize procurement and estimating processes across the organization.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Construction Management, Supply Chain, Business, or a related field (or equivalent experience).
• 5+ years of experience in estimating, procurement, project engineering, or preconstruction within the renewable energy or construction industry.
• Experience with commercial or utility-scale solar EPC projects.
• Strong understanding of construction methods, project scheduling, and procurement processes.
• Excellent analytical and negotiation skills.
• Strong proficiency in Microsoft Excel.
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with distributed generation (DG) solar projects.
• Knowledge of EPC contracting structures.
• Experience with ERP, procurement, or estimating software.
• Understanding project scheduling and critical path methodology.

Desired Skills

• Strategic sourcing
• Cost analysis
• Negotiation
• Financial analysis
• Strong communication and presentation skills
• Team-oriented mindset

What success looks like

• Improve estimate accuracy and consistency.
• Develop strong supplier relationships that create long-term value.
• Reduce project costs through strategic procurement and value engineering.
• Increase estimating efficiency through standardized tools and processes.
• Support the successful transition of projects from development into execution.
• Serve as a trusted partner to Engineering, Construction, Development, and Project Management teams.

Rethink Electric offers a competitive compensation package including:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) with company match
• Paid time off
• Workwear stipend

Rethink Electric is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.