Procurement Specialist - SunElec

AstraNova Solar; Richardson (TX); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

AstraNova Solar is seeking a dedicated Procurement Specialist to manage sourcing, purchasing, and logistics for its solar manufacturing operations in Richardson, Texas. The candidate will be responsible for managing supplier relationships and freight logistics while ensuring compliance with import documentation.

The ideal candidate should possess a Bachelor’s degree in supply chain management, have 2-5 years of relevant experience, and be skilled in negotiation and supplier management. Join our motivated team in a dynamic environment focused on renewable energy solutions.

Qualifications

• 2-5 years of procurement experience in a manufacturing environment.
• Hands-on experience purchasing industrial raw materials.
• Experience coordinating with freight forwarders and customs brokers.

Responsibilities

• Source, evaluate, and manage suppliers for production materials.
• Issue and track purchase orders from requisition to delivery.
• Manage relationships with freight forwarders and trucking carriers.

Skills

Negotiation skills

Supplier relationship management

Attention to detail

Proficiency in Excel

Effective communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in supply chain or related field

Tools

ERP systems (NetSuite, SAP, or similar)

Job description

We are looking for a detail-oriented and proactive Procurement Specialist to manage sourcing, purchasing, and supply coordination activities for a U.S.-based solar manufacturing operation.

This role is built around two equally critical functions: raw material procurement and logistics/freight management. On the materials side, you will own sourcing and purchasing of key production inputs including copper wire, tin alloy, and related solar manufacturing materials. On the logistics side, you will manage relationships with freight forwarders, trucking carriers, and customs brokers to keep inbound and outbound shipments on track. The ideal candidate has hands‑on experience in both areas and can take ownership of procurement and logistics coordination responsibilities with minimal supervision.

Key Responsibilities

• Source, evaluate, and manage suppliers for key production materials — including copper wire, tin alloy, spools, flux, chemicals, and other solar ribbon manufacturing inputs
• Issue and track purchase orders from requisition to delivery
• Negotiate pricing, lead times, and payment terms with domestic and international supplies
• Monitor commodity pricing trends (copper, tin, and related materials) and proactively communicate potential cost impacts to management
• Manage relationships with freight forwarders, domestic trucking carriers, and customs brokers as ongoing service providers — not just on a transactional basis
• Coordinate inbound and outbound freight, shipping documentation, and delivery tracking
• Oversee import compliance documentation and customs clearance for international shipments
• Identify alternative logistics providers and benchmark service levels and rates periodically
• Proactively resolve freight delays, damage claims, and customs‑related issues to minimize operational disruption
• Maintain and develop a reliable supplier base with a focus on quality, lead time, and compliance
• Conduct supplier evaluations and support onboarding of new vendors
• Manage supplier documentation and certifications
• Maintain organized procurement records, contracts, and supplier communications

Cross-functional Coordination

• Work closely with warehouse, production, and finance teams to align procurement with operational needs
• Support inventory planning and maintain accurate purchasing and supplier records within ERP/inventory systems
• Assist in generating purchasing reports and cost analyses

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in supply chain, Business, Engineering, or related field preferred
• 2-5 years of procurement experience in a manufacturing environment — required
• Hands‑on experience purchasing industrial raw materials required — copper wire, metal alloys, or comparable commodity inputs strongly preferred
• Hands‑on experience coordinating with freight forwarders, trucking carriers, and customs brokers required
• Experience with import compliance documentation and international shipment coordination preferred
• Bilingual in English and Mandarin is a plus

Skills

• Strong negotiation and supplier/vendor relationship management skills
• Working knowledge of incoterms, customs clearance processes, and import documentation
• Proficiency in Excel; experience with ERP systems (NetSuite, SAP, or similar) preferred
• High attention to detail and strong organizational skills
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines
• Ability to respond quickly to operational and supply chain issues in a production environment
• Clear and effective communicator across internal teams and external vendors

What We’re Looking For

• A hands‑on procurement professional who is equally comfortable negotiating with suppliers and coordinating with logistics providers
• Someone who takes ownership of materials, vendors, and logistics coordination in a fast‑moving manufacturing environment
• Understands the direct impact of supply continuity on a production line and acts accordingly
• A proactive communicator who surfaces problems early and works toward solutions
• Comfortable operating in a lean and evolving organization where processes continue to develop

About SunElec

SunElec is a fast‑growing company in the renewable energy industry, focused on delivering efficient solar solutions and scaling our operations. As we grow, we are building a team of motivated individuals who are ready to contribute and grow with us.

We believe in teamwork, reliability, and continuous improvement, and we provide opportunities for employees to develop and advance alongside the company.