Buyer - Indirect Procurement

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead strategic sourcing efforts across diverse indirect categories, negotiate contracts, identify cost-savings opportunities, and implement procurement process improvements to enhance operational efficiency.
• Implements vendor sourcing solutions within an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system to streamline and optimize the procurement function, improving the customer/end user's experience.
• Serves as a subject matter expert by pursuing technological and operational expertise within assigned categories, including I.T. hardware and software within standards and specifications
• Performs cross-functional planning and budgeting exercises for the renewal of contract and pricing agreements
• Leads cross-functional initiatives to reduce cost, improve consistency and standardization, automate process improvements, and add value to internal stakeholders.
• Actively manages the procure-to-pay lifecycle to ensure continuity of operations and ongoing reduction of internal processing gaps
• Mitigates potential interruptions and delays through close coordination with and advice to internal stakeholders, intervention with vendors, negotiating performance under PO, and escalating as necessary within the enterprise and externally with vendors.
• Conducts vendor management functions such as vendor qualification and approval, onboarding, performance reviews against Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), and non-conformance resolution
• Follow established Management Guidelines, policies, and procedures to accomplish transparent decision-making and sound financial control.
• The ability to handle stress and work well with others are essential functions of this position.
• Due to our obligation to provide continuous, reliable electric service to our customers, the ability to maintain regular and punctual attendance and the ability to work outside your regularly scheduled office hours when necessary is an essential function of the job.
• Perform any other related duties as required or assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor's Degree in Procurement, Supply Chain, Business Administration, Finance or similar related field or equivalent combination of education and experience required.

4-5 years of procurement experience required, including I.T. or Technology-related goods and services.

ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS

The following work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Normal working conditions as found within an office setting, wherein there is controlled temperature and a low noise level, plus a minimum of distractions.

PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES

The following physical activities described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions and expectations.

Highly repetitive, low physical. Highly repetitive type of work which requires concentration in the performance of tasks for consistent time cycles as prescribed by the tasks.

While performing the functions of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, talk, or hear; frequently required to walk; and occasionally required to stand, use hands to finger, handle, or feel, reach with hands and arms, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl, taste, or smell. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close and color vision.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• Indirect procurement experience working within a modern ERP system such as SAP or Ariba required.
• Must be proficient in Excel, Word, Power Point, etc.
• Effective interpersonal, communication and influencing skills, both written and oral, with the ability to share information and ideas clearly and concisely with a range of audiences

Benefits

• 100% Company Funded Defined Benefit Pension Plan
• 401(k) with 3% Dollar-for Dollar Company Match
• Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• 9 Paid holidays
• 2 Floating holidays
• Educational assistance
• Paid time off accrual
• Short-term disability
• Long-term disability
• Free & confidential Employee Assistance Program

EEO/AA/M/F/VETS/DISABLED

Should you elect to apply for this position, AECC/AECI will review your qualifications. If after reviewing the qualifications and experience of all applicants, your skills and credentials meet our needs, someone from our organization may contact you. Please be advised that the time required to complete the applicant review process typically takes between 30 and 90 days but could extend beyond that. Once the position has been filled, all applicants will be notified via email.

Arkansas Electric Cooperative Corporation and Arkansas Electric Cooperatives, Inc. are Equal Opportunity Workplace and an Affirmative Action Employers. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, age or any other protected category.