Job Description

Requisition ID: 108307 

 

Share Our Purpose. Be Yourself. Feel Valued.  

 

People are the heart of our business. As an American Water employee, you will be offered a competitive salary and health benefits package, along with opportunities to develop, grow, and evolve your career. Our benefits packages focus on key areas such as health & wellness, emotional & well-being, and savings for current & future goals.

 

We are Beautifully Different . We strongly believe having diversity across our company makes us more successful and helps us provide essential services to our customers. We are stronger because we embrace different ideas, viewpoints, experiences, and backgrounds. American Water is the best choice for your next role! Click here for more information on our inclusion, diversity, and equity journey.

 

About American Water
American Water (NYSE: AWK) is the largest regulated water and wastewater utility company in the United States. With a history dating back to 1886, We Keep Life Flowing® by providing safe, clean, reliable and affordable drinking water and wastewater services to more than 14 million people across 14 regulated jurisdictions and 18 military installations. American Water’s 6,500 talented professionals leverage their significant expertise and the company’s national size and scale to achieve excellent outcomes for the benefit of customers, employees, investors and other stakeholders.

As one of the fastest growing utilities in the U.S., American Water expects to invest $40 to $42 billion in infrastructure repairs and replacement, system resiliency and regulated acquisitions over the next 10 years. The company has a long-standing history of executing its core operations, aligned with sustainable best practices, through its commitments to safety, affordability, customer service, protecting the environment, an inclusive workforce and strengthening communities.

American Water has been recognized on the 2023 Bloomberg Gender-Equality Index for the fifth consecutive year, ranked 18th on Barron’s 100 Most Sustainable U.S. Companies 2023 List, earned the U.S. Department of Homeland Security SAFETY Act designation and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s WaterSense® Excellence Award, among additional state, local and national recognitions.

For more information, visit  amwater.com and join American Water on  LinkedIn ,  Facebook ,  Twitter and  Instagram .

 

American Water has an exciting opportunity available for a Principal Procurement Specialist! Do you have expertise in leading and managing energy procurement strategies, including renewable energy?! then this role is for YOU! APPLY TODAY for immediate consideration

Primary Role

The Principal Procurement Specialist is a front-line employee with deep subject-matter expertise who excels in all Supply Chain competencies and is considered an expert in their area of responsibility. This role involves providing strategic direction and leadership for their category, acting as the primary liaison between senior business unit leadership and the Supply Chain team. This role is also responsible for producing financial and operational results aligned with supply chain, departmental, and company goals, and ensuring efficient procurement processes. Personally lead complex negotiations and high-profile projects to maximize value. This individual will be a resource and visible mentor to colleagues in Supply Chain, presenting and educating others on key topics.

Key Accountabilities

• Category Leadership–engaging with supply chain and business unit stakeholders and their leadership to provide category market intelligence. Overseeing the procurement process, from sourcing through contract negotiation, contract execution, and purchase order creation, ensuring compliance with company policies and in support of company goals. Responsible for defining value metrics/targets for their areas of responsibility and communicating results. Defining and executing short- and long-term priorities and strategies for staffing, training, safety, performance, and company risk mitigation. Partner with key stakeholders to develop forecasts and regulatory strategies around categories of responsibility.
• Lead and manage the company’s energy procurement strategy, including renewable energy.
• This role will be responsible for overseeing all energy procurement decisions, ensuring optimal cost-efficiency and alignment with the company’s sustainability objectives
• Analyze market trends and utility rates to make informed purchasing decisions that align with budgetary and sustainability goals
• Managing supplier relationships – Meet with and build effective partnerships with suppliers to maintain continuity of supply and ensure we are obtaining value through effective collaboration and risk sharing. Conduct ongoing discussions on performance and risk and strive to position American Water as a customer of choice. Intervene when disputes arise or suppliers do not comply with the company’s Supplier Code of Ethics, contractual, and Health and Safety requirements.
• Collaborate with finance and operations teams to forecast energy needs and develop procurement plans
• Supply Chain excellence – Oversee the development and execution of procurement category strategies in collaboration with various business stakeholders that leverage company spend to deliver value to the enterprise.
• Mentorship – Mentor, coach, and develop junior team members to support improved performance. Direct and assist more junior personnel in the identification of category or sourcing opportunities and define and prioritize category or sourcing strategies.

Knowledge/Skills

• Strong process, project, and program management skills.
• Demonstrated skills and ability to lead, develop, and execute category strategies that exceed Company goals and objectives.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills; e.g., listening, presentation, report writing, etc.
• Interpersonal skills; e.g., tact, diplomacy, persuasion, cooperation, ability to influence and motivate functional and cross-functional peers and decisions, etc.
• Strong quantitative and analytical skills.
• Internal consulting skills; e.g., technical, analytical, problem-solving, etc.
• Leadership presence (e.g., ability to deal effectively and maintain collaborative relationships with Company senior management and other key stakeholders).
• Ability to create and present key information regarding their categories of responsibility to various levels of stakeholders.
• Knowledge of category supplier environment, sourcing and category strategy creation, and technical knowledge of the category.
• Knowledge of construction contracting and negotiations, direct procurement processes.
• Knowledge of the regulated utility business along with applicable financial areas.
• Knowledge of supplier diversity strategies.
• Knowledge of managing a department's operating budget.

Experience/Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Supply Chain, Finance, Engineering, or related discipline. A combination of education and experience will also be considered.
• Professional Certifications or advanced education in the category of expertise preferred.
• Minimum of ten (10) years of work experience; Minimum of six (6) years experience in procurement, category management or equivalent.
• Utility Supply Chain experience preferred.
• Demonstrated effectiveness around people leadership, project delivery and change management.

Certifications/Licenses

• Certified Professional in Supply Management (CPSM) is strongly preferred.
• Active state drivers license required with the ability to pass a motor vehicle report.

Work Environment

• Primarily office with occasional local/overnight work in the field.

Travel Requirements

• Periodic travel with overnight stays required. Around 10% of total time is anticipated away from the office.

Competencies

Champions safety

Customer obsessed

Cultivates innovation

Nimble learning

Drives Results

Collaborates

 

 

Join American Water... We Keep Life Flowing ™

 

American Water is firmly committed to Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) and prohibits employment discrimination for employees and applicants based on his or her age, race, color, pregnancy, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, marital status, citizenship, or because they are an individual with a disability, protected veteran or other status protected by federal, state, and local laws.

Job Tags

Contract work, Temporary work, Work experience placement, Casual work, Local area, Immediate start, Night shift,

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