Procurement Category Manager - BESS/Inverters

Procurement Category Manager – BESS and Inverters

Bloomington, MN (HQ) 

Geronimo Power develops, owns, and operates large-scale power and affiliated digital infrastructure projects throughout America's Heartland, including solar, wind, energy storage, and powered data parks. As a farmer-founded and community-focused business, Geronimo Power equips landowners and rural communities with sustainable revenue to ignite local economic growth. To learn more about Geronimo Power, visit www.geronimopower.com or follow the company on LinkedIn. 
 

The Procurement Category Manager leads category strategy, strategic sourcing, and commercial supplier management for battery energy storage systems (BESS) and inverter equipment across Geronimo Power's utility-scale renewable energy portfolio. The role translates project demand, technical requirements, and market intelligence into sourcing plans that support competitive total cost, dependable supply, equipment performance, and project schedules. The position owns the commercial procurement process from early planning and competitive bidding through contracting, delivery support, supplier performance, warranty coordination, and commercial closeout, while partnering with Development, Engineering, Construction, Legal, Finance, Operations, Asset Management, and Data Science. 

• →Develop and maintain multi-year category strategies and sourcing calendars aligned with the approved project pipeline, budgets, technical requirements, and construction milestones. 
• →Consolidate BESS and inverter demand, assess supplier capacity and lead times, and recommend framework agreements, volume commitments, capacity reservations, and project allocations with appropriate flexibility. 
• →Monitor equipment pricing, technology, supplier manufacturing footprints, and relevant trade and policy developments; translate findings into sourcing options and risk mitigation plans. 
• →Lead requests for proposals, bid clarification, commercial evaluations, and documented award recommendations using total landed and lifecycle cost, payment terms, delivery, quality, warranties, supplier financial strength, and supply chain risk. 
• →Partner with Engineering, Construction, Operations, Data Science, and Development to evaluate BESS and inverter suitability, compatibility, reliability, performance, and service support; incorporate technical findings into commercial comparisons and project economics. 
• →Develop qualified supplier alternatives and maintain transparent selection criteria and approval records consistent with procurement policy. 
• →Lead negotiations for equipment supply and framework agreements with Legal and other stakeholders, including pricing and adjustment mechanisms, deposits, payment milestones, security, delivery flexibility, acceptance, warranties, performance guarantees, and contractual remedies. 
• →Align equipment supply obligations with engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) agreements and project requirements; manage commercial changes, contract obligations, claims, and closeout within delegated authority. 
• →Maintain supplier relationships, scorecards, and business reviews covering cost, delivery, quality, responsiveness, and risk; agree corrective actions and escalate unresolved issues promptly. 
• →Track manufacturing and delivery milestones with suppliers and project teams; coordinate factory quality reviews, inspections, logistics interfaces, nonconformance resolution, and warranty claims with the responsible specialists. 
• →Coordinate supplier qualification, sustainability due diligence, traceability records, and required supporting documentation with Legal, Tax, and other specialists, including applicable trade, domestic content, and restricted-entity reviews. 
• →Maintain accurate supplier, contract, pricing, purchase order, and commitment data; improve category workflows, sourcing templates, approval records, and procurement controls. Report negotiated value, cost movements, cash impacts, supplier performance, and major risks, validating savings baselines with Finance. 

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Engineering, Economics, or a related field preferred; equivalent relevant experience will be considered. A procurement certification or advanced degree is a plus. 
• At least five years of experience in strategic sourcing, category management, or procurement, including at least two years supporting utility-scale renewable energy or power infrastructure projects. 
• Direct experience sourcing BESS, inverters, power conversion systems, or other major electrical equipment and negotiating complex equipment supply agreements. 
• Demonstrated ability to lead competitive sourcing, evaluate complex bids, and negotiate price, payment, schedule, performance, warranty, service, and risk allocation terms across multiple contracts. 
• Working knowledge of BESS and inverter commercial considerations, including integration interfaces, performance guarantees, degradation or availability commitments, warranty structures, spare parts, and long-term service support. 
• Strong analytical skills, including Excel-based bid comparisons and cost analysis, with practical experience using an ERP or procurement system and maintaining reliable records. 
• Clear communication, sound commercial judgment, and the ability to influence suppliers and internal stakeholders without direct authority while managing changing project priorities. 
• Experience with multi-project framework agreements, owner-furnished equipment, NetSuite, Procore, supplier financial and sustainability due diligence, or renewable energy supply chain documentation and traceability is preferred.

• Approved category plans and sourcing decisions are completed on schedule and aligned with project requirements, budgets, and technical approvals. 
• Equipment supply remains reliable, supplier risks are documented and actively managed, and commercial or delivery issues are escalated early. 
• Negotiated value is validated with Finance, procurement records remain accurate, and sourcing decisions and controls are applied consistently. 

• Competitive compensation and performance-based incentives
• 401(k) retirement plan
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision coverage
• Paid time off and holidays
• Tuition assistance and ongoing professional development
• Employee assistance program (EAP) and wellness resources
• Pet insurance and employee discount programs

Pay Range for the posted level: $115,000 - $145,000 plus target annual bonus opportunity of 25%. Actual compensation may vary based on experience, skills, and demonstrated market-relevant expertise

Geronimo Power is committed to building a diverse, inclusive, and high-performing workplace where employees feel valued, supported, and energized to do their best work. We believe strong teams and strong communities drive better outcomes.

We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer and provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants.