Preconstruction Procurement Specialist

Position Summary

The Preconstruction Procurement Specialist supports UniTek’s Preconstruction & Estimating function by sourcing, evaluating, and coordinating pre-award material pricing and supplier information for fiber, broadband, wireless, and related communications infrastructure construction opportunities.

Working closely with the VP of Preconstruction & Estimating, Senior Bid & Estimating Manager, VP of Strategic Partnerships, Business Development, and Operations, this position helps ensure bids reflect competitive material costs, current supplier pricing, product availability, lead times, and project requirements.

The Preconstruction Procurement Specialist develops supplier relationships, obtains and compares quotes, identifies cost-saving opportunities, and provides reliable material pricing inputs to support accurate and competitive bids. The position also supports procurement planning and the transition of material pricing assumptions and supplier information to Operations following project award.

Key Responsibilities

Material Sourcing and Pricing

• Obtain, evaluate, and compare supplier and manufacturer quotes based on project scope, prints, bills of materials, specifications, and bid requirements.
• Develop material cost inputs for estimates and bids, including quantities, unit pricing, freight, lead times, quote validity, and applicable contract terms.
• Identify opportunities for competitive pricing, volume discounts, preferred supplier arrangements, and cost savings.
• Verify that proposed materials align with project specifications and customer requirements, escalating substitutions or exceptions for approval.
• Provide accurate and timely pricing information and supporting documentation to the Senior Bid & Estimating Manager and VP of Preconstruction & Estimating.
• Identify material cost fluctuations, availability concerns, and supply constraints that may affect bid competitiveness or project feasibility.

Materials and Product Categories

• Coordinate sourcing and pricing for materials used in fiber and communications infrastructure construction, including:
• Fiber optic cable, including feeder, distribution, and drop cable.
• Splice closures, splice trays, fiber distribution hubs, terminals, splitters, and related equipment.
• Pedestals, handholes, vaults, underground enclosures, conduit, innerduct, HDPE duct, and microduct.
• Aerial strand, anchors, guy wire, poles, and attachment hardware.
• Connectors, pigtails, patch panels, fiber distribution panels, and accessories.
• Project-specific construction consumables, specialized tools, and safety supplies required for estimating and bid development.
• Materials supporting FTTH, broadband, wireless, and other communications infrastructure projects as required by the opportunity.

Supplier Relationships and Procurement Partnerships

• Establish and maintain relationships with manufacturers, distributors, and material suppliers in coordination with the VP of Preconstruction & Estimating and VP of Strategic Partnerships.
• Provide supplier pricing, product, availability, and market information to support the development of preferred supplier agreements and strategic procurement partnerships.
• Request and negotiate quotes, lead times, freight charges, quote validity, and purchasing terms within delegated authority.
• Evaluate suppliers based on pricing, availability, product quality, reliability, and responsiveness.
• Identify alternative suppliers and sourcing strategies to reduce material shortages, cost exposure, and schedule risk.
• Resolve quote discrepancies and follow up on incomplete supplier information.
• Provide supplier and market intelligence to support broader procurement strategy and partnership development.

Cross-Functional Coordination

• Work with the Senior Bid & Estimating Manager to meet bid schedules and material pricing requirements.
• Collaborate with the VP of Preconstruction & Estimating to support pricing strategy, sourcing decisions, and material cost analysis.
• Coordinate with the VP of Strategic Partnerships on supplier relationships and procurement partnership opportunities.
• Work with Business Development to understand customer requirements, opportunity scope, and anticipated project needs.
• Collaborate with Operations to validate material assumptions, availability, lead times, and project-specific requirements.
• Communicate material pricing changes, supply constraints, and other risks that may affect bid pricing or execution.
• Following award, support the transition of supplier quotes, material assumptions, and sourcing information to Operations and the designated purchasing or logistics personnel.

Pricing Records and Reporting

• Maintain organized supplier quotes, pricing files, quote comparisons, lead-time information, and relevant supplier documentation.
• Track quote status, validity periods, exclusions, freight charges, and assumptions affecting bid pricing.
• Prepare material cost comparisons, sourcing summaries, and procurement updates for the VP of Preconstruction & Estimating.
• Support historical material pricing analysis and post-bid reviews where information is available.
• Maintain documentation in accordance with company procedures and approval requirements.
• Ensure material pricing information is sufficiently detailed and current to support accurate estimating and management decisions.

Quality, Compliance, and Risk Management

• Confirm supplier quotes reflect required specifications and applicable customer material standards.
• Identify certification, warranty, product approval, or other documentation requirements.
• Document supplier assumptions, exclusions, substitutions, and commitments.
• Escalate material availability concerns, supplier performance issues, and potential cost or schedule risks.
• Follow established purchasing policies and approval limits.
• Do not independently commit the company to purchases or contractual terms beyond delegated authority.

• Experience in procurement, purchasing, sourcing, or estimating support preferred.
• Experience in construction, utilities, fiber, broadband, wireless, or communications infrastructure strongly preferred.
• Familiarity with outside plant, FTTH, aerial and underground construction materials, or related infrastructure products.
• Ability to review bills of materials, plans, specifications, and supplier quotes.
• Experience obtaining and comparing quotes, negotiating pricing, and tracking lead times.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and familiarity with procurement, estimating, or ERP systems.
• Strong organizational, analytical, communication, and follow-through skills.
• Ability to manage multiple opportunities and competing bid deadlines.

Preferred Experience

• Fiber-to-the-home and broadband deployment.
• Aerial and underground fiber construction.
• Wireless and other communications infrastructure projects.
• Relationships with fiber manufacturers, material distributors, and construction suppliers.
• Volume purchasing, preferred supplier programs, freight analysis, and multi-market sourcing.
• Material forecasting and coordination with construction and field operations.