Project Procurement Manager

**About us**

We are Cero Generation, a leading European solar energy developer.

Our single-minded vision is to ensure this, and every generation has access to clean, reliable, cost-effective renewable energy.

Cero Generation is a leading IPP, specialised in developing, constructing and operating solar energy and battery storage projects, accelerating the delivery of a net-zero future across eight Europe countries.

We have 25GW solar storage portfolio with further generation capability added each year.

We are a Macquarie Asset Management (MAM) portfolio company, operating on a stand-alone basis.

**About the role**

This is a great opportunity to join Cero Generation’s Procurement and Project Delivery (PPD) Team as a Project Procurement Manager to help support the transition to a low carbon, sustainable global economy. The PPD team is responsible for the commercialisation of ‘Ready to Build’ projects including bringing projects to Financial Close and into construction.

Cero is looking to make a key addition to the PPD Team and is seeking to appoint a Project Procurement Manager with responsibility for the procurement processes on all equipment supply and construction contracts across Cero’s markets. The role will be based in Cero’s head office in London or Madrid office with travel requirements to all Cero’s markets as required.

**Main responsibilities**
- Work within a project environment with various Cero teams to commercialise solar and storage projects by leading on the procurement workstreams for the construction and equipment supply contracts.
- Lead on defining project contracting strategies and framework approaches
- Work with market consultants as well as equipment suppliers to provide intelligence on solar and energy storage markets and supply chains
- Analyse key market price inputs including commodities, raw materials and logistics and analyse for impacts on downstream components and provide regular updates to senior management on trends and considerations affecting Cero’s pipeline of projects
- Drive continuous improvement through the evaluation of supply chain / procurement mechanisms through the full life cycle of utility-scale renewable energy projects to ensure that the contracting structure is optimal for project success.
- Implementation of robust procurement processes to ensure effective risk management is achieved.
- Provision of procurement support as required during due diligence, auction, bid, financial close and sell-down processes.
- Interaction with the relevant in-house teams - Corporate Development, Project Development, Engineering/Construction, Finance and Legal
- Assist the Project Manager with cost and schedule estimating, budget preparation, reporting and control.
- Tendering and Contract Negotiation:

- _Development and implementation of a procurement strategy for each project in the delivery phase._
- _Oversee the RFP (Request for Proposal) / RFI (Request for information) for EPC, modules and grid works in accordance with the delivery schedule for the projects._
- _Evaluation of contractor proposals and preparation of recommendation memos._
- _Coordinate and support commercial / legal / technical negotiations with contractors / suppliers delivering bankable contracts typically seen in a project finance environment._
- _Development of procurement template documents to ensure consistency and streamlining for each new tender process_.
- Other:

- _Continual assessment and monitoring of Cero’s supplier relationships_
- _Develop and maintain a strategic relationship with contractors and suppliers to accelerate Cero’s delivery program._
- _Work with the Executive Director of PPD to establish C-level relationship with key suppliers and contractors._
- _Monitor and assess market information from renewables industry relationships with key stakeholders and equipment suppliers._
- _Maintain an ongoing and up-to-date database of cost inputs for each market where Cero is operating_
- _Continual optimisation of Cero’s procurement process to ensure that is maximising value for the business and aligned with later investment trends._

**What will you need to succeed in the role?**

**Essential Skills**
- Experience in procurement of Material and EPC services in the energy industry.
- BSc in Engineering or Supply Chain Management, an MSc is an advantage.
- A detailed understanding of the tender process and supplier evaluation for construction and equipment supply contracts.
- Strong commercial acumen and negotiation skills alongside some technical knowledge.
- Direct experience and expertise leading on the negotiation of construction and equipment supply contracts in the context of a project finance transaction including the instruction of sponsor counsel.
- A working knowledge of FIDIC Silver Book, NEC and equipment supply agreements.
- Direct experience in leading and closing contract negotiations to a defined delivery schedule.
- Experienced in maintaining interaction with industry