Senior Procurement Buyer

HOW WILL YOU HELP DRIVE THE FUTURE OF NATURAL GAS? 

The Senior Buyer is responsible for the procurement of a wide variety of materials, supplies, equipment, and services for the company, many of which are highly technical and require the application of complex procurement standards and procedures, including negotiation.

PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Requests and receives quotations to procure materials, equipment, and services, assists in the preparation of formal Request for Quotes and in the evaluation. Seeks continuous improvement in productivity and reduction in procurement costs through advanced procurement methods, programs, and processes. 
2. Analyzes stock material purchase requisitions determining appropriate replenishment quantity, providing the highest possible stock material availability while minimizing inventory costs along with adjusting storeroom stock item parameters based on frequency of usage. Implements inventory control strategies maximizing inventory turn-over and material availability through improved supply chain efficiencies.  Forecasts long range inventory requirements for critical, high cost or job driven materials.  Works with suppliers to develop inventory control strategies, removing uncertainty and compressing lead-times. 
3. Commits funds for all procurement transactions up to designated authority levels established by company policy. Resolves discrepancies, claims, and disputes over material, deliveries, receipts, and invoices. Provides warranty enforcement as required. 
4. Recommends to material requestors, changes in specifications, manufacturing schedules, delivery lead times, prices, and other pertinent costs. 
5. Has a working knowledge of federal, state, and local agency laws, regulations and ordinances that pertain to procurement practices. Leads and participates in cross-functional teams to identify and recommend improvement solutions to issues relative to supply chain. 
6. Initiates, negotiates, awards, and effectively manages multiple year blanket purchase orders and term blankets agreements.
7. Maintains constant awareness of market conditions, material indices, and information of assigned goods and services. Identifies, qualifies, and develops new suppliers for sourcing goods and services. 
8. Develops and maintains supplier relations and works with the Supplier Diversity team to successfully include minority businesses opportunities in purchasing. 

WHAT YOU NEED TO SUCCEED

Must Haves:   

• Minimum of a bachelor’s degree in Business, Supply Chain, or Engineering.
• Minimum of 6 years related work experience related to the Duties and responsibilities of this position is required. Related experience consists of work within a materials discipline, procurement, inventory management, operations or engineering.
• Must have experience in leading cross functional teams and working knowledge of SAP.
• Prepare detailed bid specifications, requests for quotations and proposals for goods and services, and purchase orders, as requested by company’s departments. The Senior Buyer employs advanced critical thinking and writing skills in the development and evaluation of the more complex requests for proposals for goods and services. 
• Identifie varied sources of commodities and services, evaluates bids, awards contracts and purchase orders, maintains contact with suppliers and contractors, and maintains comprehensive descriptions of available products and current prices. 
• Expedite the ordering and delivery process for goods and services using procure to pay (P2P) systems and assures invoice payment by monitoring the process from initiation of a purchase order through the receipt of the goods or services and billing from the suppliers and contractors. 
• Must have advanced competency in MS suite and SAP, advanced competency in inventory management methods, demonstrated good understanding of inventory and sourcing practices/policies.

WHAT WILL GIVE YOU A COMPETITIVE EDGE? 

• Master’s degree in Business, Supply Chain, or Engineering.
• Minimum of 6 years of direct work experience performing the Duties and Responsibilities of this position.

Leadership Competencies

• Champions Safety, Health, and the Environment
• Takes Ownership and Acts with Integrity
• Drives Business Excellence for Customers
• Builds Collaborative Relationships
• Thinks Strategically and Exercises Good Judgement

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Work is performed in a normal office environment with occasional extended hours during
• evenings based on business needs.

EMERGECNY RESPONSE REQUIREMENTS
TECO Energy and its companies serve a role in providing critical services to our community during an emergency. Team members are required to participate in the response/recovery activities related to emergencies/disasters to maintain service to our TECO Energy customers. Team members are required to work in their normal job duties or other assigned activities. Proper compensation will be made in accordance with the company's rules and procedures.