Procurement Specialist

Description

Highlights of the job

We are hiring a Permanent Full-Time Procurement Specialist, working out of our Round Rock, Texas office. The Procurement Specialist position is an advanced procurement role reporting to the Procurement Manager, US Supply Chain.

The position will be located at the EPCOR office in Round Rock, Texas.

This is an excellent opportunity for a team-oriented individual with excellent organization, negotiation, and communication skills to develop their Supply Chain Management career.

As the Procurement Specialist, you will be accountable for leading the end-to-end procurement process (from the identification of need through to contract execution and supplier relationship management) primarily supporting large capital and operational projects within EPCOR Commercial Services.  

The position will primarily focus on procurements related to our Commercial Services portfolio (mainly professional services, and construction requirements) utilizing various procurement methodologies. While design-bid-build methods are often utilized, the Specialist should also be familiar and comfortable with other construction delivery methodologies such as design-build, progressive design build, construction management at risk (CMAR) etc. Experience with these types of requirements and/or procurement methodologies will be an asset, although not necessarily required.  The role will look to bring experience leading negotiations within highly competitive industries and the ability to mitigate supply chain issues and the integrity of the competitive bidding process. The position is also responsible for visiting field locations to ensure procurement needs are met, and procurement processes are aligned.

What you’d be responsible for

• Act as Field Procurement contact for Operations in the designated areas; provide strategy recommendations and procurement plans to streamline the sourcing and contracting process
• Establishes and maintains supplier relationships and contracts; including facilitating contract review sessions between business unit and suppliers
• Assess competition and market opportunities/threats and recommend plans to address
• Provides advice and recommendations to customers on procurement procedures, methods and approaches; collaborates with business unit, Operations and Project Managers to develop appropriate sourcing and procurement strategies including non-competitive, limited competition and open competitive processes; and lead the end-to-end procurement and contracting process in accordance with EPCOR policies, and potential external regulators
• Reviews specifications / Scope of Work documentation with customers to ensure that milestones and deliverables are clearly identified, understandable, and achievable. Prepare competitive bidding (RFx) documents and contract documents with customers and internal subject matter experts. Leads RFx process. Facilitates RFx evaluation, shortlisting, and negotiation processes. Makes recommendations to customers for decision of award/no award of contract(s). Coordinates award and execution of contract(s).
• Facilitates negotiations and serves as the negotiation representative for assigned projects.
• Ensuring the delivery of optimal results against appropriate performance metrics including meeting customer expectations, cost saving/ avoidance, operational effectiveness and efficiency, and employee/customer satisfaction. Create, utilize, and improve tools and reporting to assist in the efficient execution of Procurement and business unit objectives.
• Collect and analyzing data and working with business units to determine the feasibility and advantage of establishing long-term supply contracts for high usage, high dollar volume, and regularly purchased products
• Advise and make recommendations to customers with respect to potential procurement risks and support customers on the purchase to pay (P2P) processes.
• Research, analyze, and develop recommendations within spend classifications to optimize overall cost, delivery, and quality for assigned procurement portfolio.
• Identify and develop procurement and contracting strategies to address procurement project needs with manager approval.
• Demonstrate a high performance, high discipline, safe, accountable, focused, innovative and achievement-oriented, easy to do business with manner of working.
• Negotiates commercial terms, within context of Standard Form and Non-Standard Form Contracts.
• Approves Purchase Orders, within prescribed limits.
• Providing input to the strategic sourcing plans and direction and ensuring on-going appropriate relationships with other departments.

What’s required to be successful

• Two-year post-secondary diploma or four-year post-secondary degree in Supply Chain Management or a business-related field (Operations Management, Economics, Accounting, Finance, etc.) from a recognized educational institute is required.
• 3+ years of experience in category-based buying and negotiating contracts or directly related experience within the field.
• Purchasing Designation (CSCP, CPIM, CPCM, etc.) is preferred.
• Comprehensive knowledge and experience in:
• Negotiating commercial terms and conditions and competitive bidding laws
• The application of risk management tools and skills
• The application of vendor management tools and skills
• Interpreting purchasing policy, processes and procedures
• Demonstrated ability to:
• Apply competitive bidding law to develop and administer effective bid documents
• Apply contract law and understanding of contract terms and conditions in order to develop agreements that minimize risk and maximize benefits to EPCOR
• Effectively negotiate with vendors and 3rd parties to create value for the business
• Effectively lead the entire procurement process starting with the identification of need through contract execution and supplier relationship management.
• Demonstrated proficiency with:
• Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, etc.)
• Oracle or similar Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software.
• Bids & Tenders™ or similar web-based eProcurement systems

 The successful candidate must possess a high level of initiative with the demonstrated ability to be proactive. This individual must be, fully engaged in professional work and in the continuous improvement of business practices, recommending and making improvements on an ongoing basis.  As the successful candidate, you are able to exercise influence when working in a cross-functional team and use highly developed analytical thinking skills to effectively conduct problem analysis, present findings and recommend solutions. 

 In addition, you possess strong verbal and written communication skills and have the ability to present information to a variety of audiences in both formal and informal settings. As our best candidate, you are a team player who shares information and expertise with others to enable them to accomplish group goals. You continually seek opportunities to enhance your personal effectiveness in the procurement and strategic sourcing function and expand your operational understanding while contributing to the knowledge and success of the Procurement team. 

Other important facts about this job

As an EPCOR employee, you will enjoy a variety of benefits such as a competitive salary, an incentive award program, an excellent benefit package including medical, dental, vision and other insurance coverage, retirement plan with substantial company contribution, generous time-off schedules, training opportunities, tuition reimbursement, and certification support. We’ve been voted as a Best Places to Work employer, and we value the safety of each of our team members through our robust safety training and celebration of safety milestones.

Headquartered in Phoenix, EPCOR USA owns, operates and builds water, wastewater and natural gas infrastructure and is among the largest private water utilities in the Southwest. EPCOR USA is an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of EPCOR Utilities Inc. We invest in and look after our communities and the environment. We’re proud of the work we do and the people we hire to do

EPCOR USA INC is an equal opportunity employer. We're committed to fostering a respectful, supportive, and inclusive workplace that recognizes and values the unique perspectives, experiences, and backgrounds of all individuals. 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.

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Please note the following information:

• A requirement of working for EPCOR is that you are at least 18 years of age and legally entitled to work in the United States.
• If you are considered for the position, clearance on all applicable background checks (including criminal, driving, and educational) and professional reference checks is required.
• Clearance on pre-employment drug testing will be required.
• The company reserves the right to modify, interpret, or apply this job description in any way the company desires.  This description in no way implies that these are the only duties, including essential duties, to be performed by the employee occupying this position.