Director of Project Procurement

Director of Project Procurement Location Houston, TX (Midtown area) :

Kanin Energy is seeking a Director of Project Procurement to lead all procurement activities across our growing portfolio of Waste Heat to Power (WHP) projects. The successful candidate will work with our Project Development and Execution Team, reporting to the Chief Technology Officer.

As a key member of a small but highly capable team, this role will be responsible for designing and executing sourcing strategies, managing vendor and supplier relationships, and negotiating contracts that support timely, cost-effective, and technically aligned project execution. The ideal candidate brings a strong technical and commercial mindset, deep experience in capital project procurement, and a collaborative approach to working across technical, commercial, and operational teams. This role is hands-on and strategic. You'll be involved early in project development, help shape technical scopes with our engineers, develop fit for purpose sourcing strategies, and work side-by-side with leadership and the team to move projects from concept through construction and commissioning.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic Sourcing & Procurement Leadership

• Partner with leadership team to develop competitive offerings of WHP projects across North America.
• Lead the development and implementation of procurement strategies for equipment, engineering services, and EPC partnerships across all project phases.
• Manage the full procurement lifecycle, from sourcing and RFx processes through to contract execution and supplier performance monitoring.
• Ensure alignment of procurement timelines and specifications with project schedules and technical requirements to optimize project outcomes.

Vendor & Supplier Relationship Management

• Build, maintain, and strengthen relationships with key vendors, manufacturers, and EPC partners.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for strategic suppliers, fostering long-term partnerships that support Kanin's competitiveness, growth and project delivery.
• Continuously evaluate supplier capabilities, performance, and risk to ensure delivery of high-quality goods and services.

Contract Negotiation & Management

• Lead commercial negotiations for major contracts, including equipment supply, EPC agreements, and service scopes.
• Work cross-functionally with legal, technical, and finance teams to ensure contracts meet commercial, technical, and risk management objectives.
• Monitor contract compliance, manage change orders, and support resolution of disputes or delivery issues.

Cross-Functional Project Coordination

• Collaborate with project development, engineering, construction, and finance teams to ensure procurement supports overall project success.
• Provide input into cost estimating, scheduling, and technical planning during early-stage project development.
• Translate technical and project execution needs into clear, actionable procurement requirements.

Risk, Cost, and Schedule Management

• Identify and manage risks related to lead times, pricing volatility, and supplier performance.
• Track procurement progress against key milestones and budgets, adjusting strategies as needed to maintain project alignment.
• Support logistics planning and coordination to ensure timely delivery and integration of critical components.

Systems, Standards, & Continuous Improvement

• Establish scalable procurement processes, documentation standards, and reporting tools to support Kanin's expanding portfolio.
• Integrate quality, and regulatory requirements into all sourcing and contracting activities.
• Capture lessons learned and contribute to ongoing refinement of procurement best practices.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of leadership experience in procurement or supply chain management within energy, industrial, or infrastructure sectors.
• Proven track record of building and managing strong supplier relationships and leading successful commercial negotiations for high-value contracts.
• Deep understanding of and experience in capital equipment sourcing, engineering, procurement and construction contracting approaches, and the commercial aspects of complex project execution.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills across cross-functional teams.
• Bachelor's degree in engineering, supply chain, business, or a related field; advanced degree or certifications (e.g., CPSM, PMP) preferred.
• Strong analytical and organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities across projects.

Location: Calgary, AB or Houston, TX Hybrid possible

Why Join Kanin Energy

• Be part of a team driving real climate impact through innovative industrial decarbonization.
• Work in a dynamic, entrepreneurial environment where your expertise has direct influence on project and company success.
• Equity ownership in a growth stage startup
• Collaborative, mission-driven culture that values ownership, integrity, and execution.

About Kanin Energy

Kanin Energy is a Project Development company hyper-focused on industrial emissions. We help heavy industry monetize their waste heat and decarbonize their operations. Kanin staff are professional, dedicated, and have a passion for clean energy & decarbonization. We strive to demonstrate an entrepreneurial mindset, first-principles thinking, and the pursuit of mastery in our field. We invest in our team and celebrate building meaningful relationships with our staff, client partners, and service providers.

How to Apply

Applications will be reviewed as they are received. Please send resumes to [email protected]

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $135,000.00 - $175,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Health savings account
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Professional development assistance

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday

Ability to Commute:

• Houston, TX 77004 (Preferred)

Ability to Relocate:

• Houston, TX 77004: Relocate before starting work (Preferred)

Work Location: In person