Procurement Specialist

About Clearlight Energy

Clearlight Energy is a prominent private renewable energy firm in North America, managing over 5,600 MW across 52 facilities, including utility-scale solar, wind, battery storage, and renewable natural gas assets. The majority of these operations, approximately 5,100 MW, are in the United States across various markets such as NYISO, MISO, PJM, ERCOT, and CAISO, with about 500 MW in Canada. Headquartered in Oakville, Ontario, the company employs staff in both Canada and the U.S.

Clearlight Energy is committed to operational excellence to meet increasing energy demands and supports grid reliability and decarbonization with a development pipeline of 1,200 MW in renewable projects.

Role Overview

The company is looking to hire a meticulous and cooperative Procurement Specialist responsible for enforcing compliance with the Inflation Reduction Act's Prevailing Wage and Apprenticeship (PWA) mandates across its renewable energy projects. This role is accountable for managing all operational aspects of PWA compliance, including onboarding suppliers, collecting certified payroll data, maintaining records, addressing issues, and liaising with both internal teams and external tax authorities for filings. The individual will gain specialized expertise in PWA requirements and serve as the primary internal resource for compliance activities. This position requires collaboration across multiple departments and follows a hybrid work model where employees are onsite from Tuesday through Thursday. Locations available include Oakville, Ontario, or Houston, Texas.

Responsibilities

• Integrate suppliers and contractors into the company's PWA compliance system and provide training on system use and reporting requirements.
• Collect, audit, and verify certified payroll, apprenticeship, and labor hour documentation submitted by suppliers for accuracy and completeness.
• Monitor compliance status by project and supplier, address deficiencies, and ensure timely resolution.
• Act as the main contact for supplier payroll teams concerning PWA data submissions.
• Collaborate with Capital Projects, Development, and Construction teams to integrate PWA requirements into project plans from inception.
• Work with Operations to document PWA-covered work post-commercial operation date, such as repowering or repairs.
• Assist Procurement in embedding PWA obligations into requests for proposals, supplier evaluation, and contract templates.
• Provide necessary compliance documentation to external tax counsel and Finance/Tax teams to facilitate federal tax filings and IRS audit preparedness.
• Organize and maintain audit-ready records for all PWA compliance documents.
• Track updates from the Treasury, IRS, and Department of Labor concerning PWA regulations and adapt internal processes accordingly.
• Develop and enhance internal procedures, checklists, and training to improve compliance efficiency as the portfolio expands.
• Report regularly on compliance status, risks, and outstanding issues to procurement leadership.

Qualifications

• Minimum of three years' experience in procurement, contract or construction administration, or managing suppliers/vendors.
• Bachelor’s degree or an equivalent mix of education and relevant work experience.
• Exceptional organizational capabilities with keen attention to detail and ability to juggle multiple priorities.
• Demonstrated skill in coordinating complex workflows involving multiple stakeholders and ensuring deadlines are met.
• Strong communication and relationship management skills, adept at engaging with all organizational levels.
• Ability to comprehend and apply technical regulatory and compliance requirements effectively.
• Willingness to develop expert knowledge in prevailing wage and apprenticeship compliance.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office tools including Excel, Outlook, and Teams, with an aptitude for learning new software.
• Background in renewable energy, utility-scale construction, capital projects, EPC contracting, or field construction is advantageous.
• Familiarity with the Inflation Reduction Act, Davis Bacon Act, certified payroll requirements, apprenticeship programs, construction compliance software, and ERP systems like Dynamics 365 or SAP is preferred.

Additional Information

This is a newly created role within the company. Clearlight Energy does not employ artificial intelligence in the candidate screening or selection process. Employees benefit from an annual bonus, group insurance benefits, and a Registered Savings Plan program.