Power Procurement Manager

About MCE

At MCE, we tackle the climate crisis with a shared commitment to innovation, community, and equity. Together, we foster an inclusive, collaborative, and flexible work environment where creativity thrives, work-life balance is prioritized, and every voice is valued.

MCE is a not-for-profit public agency that has set the standard for clean energy in our communities since 2010. We provide more renewable power at stable rates, and deliver cutting-edge energy programs to residents and businesses across four Bay Area counties: Contra Costa, Marin, Napa, and Solano. Our team, drawn from all walks of life, embodies a shared passion for environmental stewardship and community service. You’ll work alongside dedicated professionals innovating and collaborating to make our communities more energy-efficient, resilient, and sustainable.

MCE is in the San Francisco Bay Area, with offices in San Rafael and Concord. Employees have the option to work remotely, in a hybrid arrangement, or in the office, depending on the role responsibilities and any in-person meeting requirements. I am happy to provide more details if needed.

We value a range of experience. Even if you feel that you do not meet all of the qualifications, we encourage you to apply. Application materials will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

Power Procurement Manager- One Position

About Power Procurement Positions

The Power Resources team is responsible for building a portfolio of clean resources to meet the needs of customers and the reliability of the grid. This team focuses on meeting MCE’s ambitious renewable energy and greenhouse gas free (GHG-free) goals. The Power Resources team negotiates and manages MCE’s Power Purchase and Energy Storage Agreements and Feed-in Tariff program. In addition, the team maintains a direct relationship with the California Independent System Operator (CAISO) as a Scheduling Coordinator for its load and resources. The effective work of this team has allowed us to reinvest in renewable energy projects within MCE’s service area that create family-sustaining green-collar jobs.

Under The Direction Of The Director Of Power Resources Or The Manager Of Power Resources, The Power Procurement Manager Has Responsibility For a Wide Range Of Energy Procurement Activities For Supply Of Renewable Energy, Carbon-free Energy, And Similar Products, Primarily Including

• Energy solicitations and bilateral outreach to energy suppliers
• Energy project evaluation.
• Contract negotiations and deal structure
• Presentations to MCE’s Board of Directors and Board Committees.
  
  

In addition, the Procurement Manager will have additional supplemental responsibilities including the following as needed:

• Invoice and Renewable Energy Credit review and validation.
• Contract management and administration.
• Portfolio management.
• CAISO market operations
• In cooperation and coordination with MCE’s Policy team and MCE consultants, timely submission of data requests from CalCCA and regulatory bodies like CPUC and CAISO.
  
  

The Power Procurement Manager has the potential for growth and development in their role. They may assist, support, lead, or manage in the administration of the Request for Offer (RFO) processes, MCE’s Open Season procurement process, ongoing correspondence with counterparties, contract development and performance tracking, and other duties as assigned in support of the power supply procurement process, depending on the position leveling.

Power Procurement Manager

• Independent Role.
• Implements and executes on departmental strategy to achieve goals.
• Moderate knowledge of and exposure to fundamental subject areas under “Qualifications”.
  
  

Essential Duties And Responsibilities (Illustrative Only)

• Energy Project Sourcing and Evaluation: Lead or support solicitations for new energy contracts that impact our projects. Maintain relationships with potential counterparties and evaluate energy projects to assess their value for MCE's power portfolio. Summarize results and present findings for the Power Resources team and executive management.
• Power Supply Contracting: Lead, track and manage all aspects of the contract lifecycle, from contract negotiations, execution, adhering to guaranteed milestones in the development and operational stages, through contract expiration.
• Coordination with Policy Team: As needed, the Power Procurement roles will work closely with MCE’s Policy team on key initiatives impacting MCE’s portfolio and procurement planning. These roles will need to have a deep knowledge of energy and capacity portfolio analysis and be able to query related data to support the Policy team on regulatory initiatives including:
• CPUC Integrated Resource Plan (IRP),
• CPUC Incremental Reliability Capacity Mandates
• CAISO Market Initiatives
• Resource Adequacy (RA)
• Microgrids
• Legislation
• Supplier Diversity Compliance
• Support or manage other filings such as the CPUC RPS Plan, PCIA proceedings, and other ad hoc requests.
• Support and coordinate with other Power Resources team functions, as needed, including monitoring performance for power contracts against contractual obligations, being familiar with MCE’s position management and modeling tools, including the Load and Resource Balance tool, and performing invoice management and validation for power contract settlements.
  

Experience/Education

Minimum Qualifications

• A bachelor's degree from an accredited university in engineering, business, economics, finance, or a closely related field. 
• A minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in power purchasing, selling, contract administration, negotiation, modeling, energy and capacity forecasting, regulatory compliance, or advanced energy data analysis or closely related field at an electric utility, Community Choice Aggregation (CCA) program, renewable energy developer, or in a closely related field. 
  
  

Knowledge of

• Contract management best practices and how to manage stakeholder relationships between counterparties staff and consultants, community and the public.
• Energy policies, rules and regulations of the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), California Energy Commission (CEC), the California Independent System Operator (CAISO), and the Department of Energy (DOE).
• Various contract types such as Edison Electric Institute (EEI) and Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs), and settlement structures such as “contract-for-differences” and “index-plus”.
• California Independent System Operator (CAISO) and bilateral markets across the Western Interconnection.
• Energy trading, transmission, and Scheduling Coordination.
• Renewable and carbon-free product markets for procurement of Product Content Category 1 and 2 renewables, large hydro and Asset Controlling Supply (ACS).
• How to source meter data, e-Tag data and Renewable Energy Credits (RECs) to validate invoices and meet compliance metrics.
• Energy generation technologies including carbon neutral electric energy, conventional energy, and renewable energy such as wind, biomass, geothermal, solar and hydroelectric.
• Procurement processes to support mandatory and voluntary compliance programs.
• Renewable energy project development including permitting, interconnection and the CAISO’s new resource implementation processes.
• The Western Renewable Energy Information System (WREGIS).
• California’s Renewables Portfolio Standard, Power Content Label and Power Source Disclosure program.
• Regulatory reporting and compliance requirements of the California Public Utilities Commission.
  
  

Ideal Candidate

In addition to the qualifications listed above, an ideal candidate for this role will be able to:

• Perform quantitative data and statistical analysis and effectively communicate results to others.
• Communicate effectively with external parties with whom MCE transacts power while representing MCE’s customers’ best interests.
• Make verbal presentations to MCE staff and executives, as well as Board members and external stakeholders.
• Be thorough, detail-oriented, and quickly become self-sufficient in regular duties.
• Manage multiple priorities and quickly adapt to changing priorities in a fast-paced dynamic environment.
  
  

Compensation & Benefits

Competitive compensation package offered, based on candidate experience along with generous benefits and perks, including fully paid premiums for health insurance, parental leave, dependent care subsidies, student loan repayment, and employee wellness program. Starting salary range for: Power Procurement Manager: $132,105 - $172,838

To Apply

As a part of the application process for Power Procurement positions all candidates must submit

• a cover letter why they would like to be considered for this position and how their experience aligns them for this position
• a current resume and
• answer all of the applicable questions within the application.
  
  

As we narrow down to our top pool of applicants, candidates progressing through the recruitment process will first participate in an all-in-one interview. This is followed by a face-to-face cross-team panel interview, then a face-to-face executive interview, and finally a take-home assessment in quantitative and/or verbal communication. MCE reserves the right to close the recruitment process at any time.

MCE Culture

At MCE, we are committed to fostering a workplace rooted in equity, inclusion, and belonging. As part of this effort, we’ve included a few optional questions to help us better understand your background, experiences, and how we can create a respectful and inclusive candidate experience.

MCE is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

MCE Work Environment

MCE offices support an environment that is accessible to those with reduced mobility. We are happy to provide more details if asked.

MCE makes reasonable accommodations of any known physical or intellectual limitations for qualified applicants with disabilities, sincerely held religious beliefs, and other conditions protected by applicable law.