Procurement Manager – Planning
Saber Power Services, a portfolio company of Greenbelt Capital Partners, is a fully integrated electrical power system services firm providing end-to-end solutions across utility, renewables and battery storage, industrial, petrochemical, and other markets. Based in Houston, Texas, Saber Power offers deep subject matter expertise and uses an engineering-led approach to designing, installing, testing, and maintaining medium and high-voltage electrical infrastructure. Saber serves clients locally, nationally, and abroad.
Saber Power Services is seeking a Procurement Manager – Preconstruction & Planning to lead the procurement function supporting the company's preconstruction, estimating, and project development activities. This position will play a critical role in developing competitive project estimates, establishing procurement strategies, engaging key suppliers and subcontractors, validating equipment and material pricing, and identifying project risks and opportunities prior to contract award.
The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in electrical EPC procurement, estimating, subcontractor and supplier engagement, and project planning, with a strong understanding of medium- and high-voltage electrical equipment, utility infrastructure, and construction methods.
JOB SUMMARY
The Procurement Manager – Preconstruction & Estimating is responsible for leading procurement activities throughout the preconstruction and bidding lifecycle, from initial bid solicitation through project award and transition into execution.
This position will partner closely with Estimating, Engineering, Business Development, Project Management, and Operations to develop accurate and competitive project estimates and procurement strategies. The role will be responsible for obtaining and validating material, equipment, subcontractor, and supplier pricing; developing procurement schedules and assumptions; evaluating commercial terms; identifying long-lead and high-risk items; and providing market intelligence to support bidding and project development decisions.
The Procurement Manager will also develop and maintain strategic relationships with key suppliers, manufacturers, subcontractors, and service providers to improve pricing, availability, lead times, and overall competitiveness.
Following project award, this position will support the transition of procurement strategies, vendor commitments, pricing assumptions, and procurement risks from preconstruction into project execution.
Duties and Responsibilities
Preconstruction & Estimating
- Lead procurement activities associated with preconstruction and competitive bidding for medium- and high-voltage EPC projects.
- Develop procurement strategies for major project bids based on project scope, schedule, location, technical requirements, market conditions, and client requirements.
- Review bid documents, specifications, drawings, equipment lists, bills of material, and scopes of work to identify procurement requirements, exclusions, assumptions, and potential gaps.
- Solicit, obtain, analyze, and negotiate budgetary and firm pricing from equipment manufacturers, suppliers, subcontractors, and specialty contractors.
- Develop and maintain detailed procurement pricing for major electrical equipment and materials, including transformers, circuit breakers, disconnect switches, relaying and control equipment, CTs/PTs, bus systems, conductors, cable, structures, grounding systems, station service equipment, and other substation components.
- Develop subcontractor bid packages and solicit competitive proposals for civil, electrical, testing and commissioning, equipment installation, foundations, site work, directional drilling, transmission/distribution construction, and other project scopes.
- Evaluate supplier and subcontractor proposals for scope compliance, pricing, lead time, commercial terms, exclusions, and technical requirements.
- Identify scope gaps, inconsistencies, qualifications, and potential change-order exposure within supplier and subcontractor proposals.
- Provide procurement input into estimate development, including material pricing, subcontractor costs, freight, escalation, taxes, allowances, contingencies, and procurement-related assumptions.
- Develop and maintain procurement bid tabs, vendor comparison matrices, pricing databases, and historical cost information to improve estimating accuracy and consistency.
- Identify long-lead equipment and materials during the bidding process and provide realistic lead-time assumptions for project schedules.
- Monitor market conditions, commodity pricing, manufacturer capacity, and supply-chain constraints that may affect project pricing and execution.
- Establish procurement assumptions and exclusions for inclusion in proposals and contracts.
- Support value-engineering efforts by identifying alternative manufacturers, materials, construction methods, and procurement strategies that may improve project cost, schedule, or execution.
- Participate in bid reviews, estimate reviews, risk reviews, and project pursuit meetings with leadership, estimating, engineering, and operations.
- Support development of procurement schedules and milestone dates for major project pursuits.
- Maintain current knowledge of supplier capabilities, manufacturing capacity, pricing trends, and market conditions.
Supplier & Subcontractor Management
- Develop and maintain strategic relationships with key equipment manufacturers, suppliers, subcontractors, and specialty contractors.
- Establish a qualified and competitive supplier/subcontractor network capable of supporting Saber Power's project pursuits and execution requirements.
- Prequalify vendors and subcontractors based on capabilities, safety performance, financial stability, geographic coverage, quality, capacity, schedule performance, and commercial competitiveness.
- Lead negotiations with suppliers and subcontractors to establish competitive pricing and favorable commercial terms.
- Negotiate pricing, payment terms, escalation provisions, delivery requirements, warranties, liquidated damages, cancellation provisions, and other commercial terms as appropriate.
- Conduct supplier and subcontractor market outreach to maintain competitive tension during the bidding process.
- Travel to supplier and subcontractor facilities as necessary to develop relationships, evaluate capabilities, and understand manufacturing and production capacity.
Procurement Planning & Project Transition
- Develop project-specific procurement plans during the preconstruction phase, identifying major procurement milestones, long-lead items, vendor commitments, and critical procurement risks.
- Establish procurement strategies that align with project execution schedules and contractual requirements.
- Identify procurement-related risks and opportunities prior to project award and communicate them to estimating, operations, and executive leadership.
- Maintain clear documentation of bid assumptions, vendor quotations, qualifications, lead times, and commercial commitments.
- Participate in project turnover meetings to ensure procurement assumptions, pricing, vendor selections, commitments, and risks are effectively transitioned from preconstruction to project execution.
- Support project teams during the initial procurement phase following award to ensure continuity between the estimate and the executed project.
- Assist project teams in resolving supplier and subcontractor issues that arise from preconstruction commitments or bid assumptions.
Team Leadership & Process Improvement
- Lead, develop, coach, and mentor procurement personnel supporting preconstruction and planning.
- Establish and maintain standardized procurement and bidding procedures, templates, bid forms, and evaluation processes.
- Develop and maintain procurement databases and historical pricing information to improve future estimates.
- Establish key performance metrics for procurement activities, including pricing competitiveness, quote coverage, supplier response rates, lead-time accuracy, and procurement savings.
- Continuously improve procurement processes to increase estimate accuracy, reduce risk, improve bid turnaround times, and strengthen supplier competitiveness.
- Collaborate with Engineering, Estimating, Business Development, Project Management, Construction, and Finance to support company-wide project development and execution objectives.
- Maintain confidentiality and uphold high ethical standards in all procurement activities and business dealings.
- Perform other duties as assigned by management appropriate to the role and business needs.
Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in construction management, business, supply chain management, engineering, or a related field preferred; equivalent industry experience may substitute for formal education.
- Minimum 10 years of experience in procurement, estimating, preconstruction, or project development within the electrical or utility EPC industry.
- Demonstrated experience pricing and procuring medium- and high-voltage electrical equipment, materials, and subcontracted construction scopes.
- Strong understanding of electrical construction means and methods, utility infrastructure, and EPC project execution.
- Experience reviewing engineering drawings, specifications, equipment lists, bills of material, and subcontractor scopes.
- Experience developing and evaluating competitive bids and proposals.
- Strong understanding of construction contracting practices, subcontractor agreements, purchase orders, and commercial terms.
- Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain strong relationships with equipment manufacturers, suppliers, and subcontractors.
- Experience negotiating pricing, commercial terms, lead times, and contractual requirements.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to identify cost, schedule, and scope risks.
- Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, deadline-driven preconstruction environment with multiple active pursuits.
- Willingness to travel as required to supplier, subcontractor, and project locations.
Skills
- Strong proficiency with Microsoft Office, particularly Excel.
- Strong understanding of electrical equipment, materials, and construction costs.
- Strong estimating, bid analysis, and commercial evaluation skills.
- Excellent negotiation, communication, and relationship-building skills.
- Ability to interpret engineering drawings, specifications, and project scopes.
- Ability to analyze complex vendor and subcontractor proposals and identify scope gaps and commercial risks.
- Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
- Ability to effectively communicate procurement risks, assumptions, and opportunities to executive leadership and project teams.
Safety is a Core Value with our organization. We work SAFELY or not at all.
Benefits:
We offer an excellent benefits package designed to support your health, well-being, and financial future. Our Total Rewards Plan includes a choice of two comprehensive medical plans, dental and vision coverage, and company-paid short-term and long-term disability insurance. We also provide company-paid basic life insurance for employees and their dependents. Additional benefits include a 401(k) plan with company matching, flexible spending accounts (FSAs), and more. Beyond our benefits, we pride ourselves on fostering an outstanding work environment where employees feel valued and supported. Learn more about our Total Rewards Plan here.
Saber Power Services is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.
