Buyer (or Senior)

Primary purpose:

Responsible for: 1) Implementation of the materials procurement strategy, 2) Execution of the materials procurement plan, 3) Delivery of day-to-day materials procurement requirements. These activities will encompass:

• Identifying suppliers and developing strategic relationships.
• Understanding market conditions and effectively communicating trends/forecasts to stakeholders.
• Leading the RFP, RFQ, RFA and negotiation processes - with a focus on creating value. 
• Working in conjunction with Legal and stakeholders to negotiate purchase order terms and conditions.
• Collaborating with stakeholders to effectively manage the supplier portfolio.
• Executing category strategies and the materials procurement plan.
• Managing supplier performance. Monitoring KPIs for key suppliers. 
• Ensuring commitments are met.
• Adhering to company policies, procedures, guidelines, record retention, and delegation of authority.

Essential duties and responsibilities:

• Primary focus will be on stakeholder engagement, market intelligence, procurement plan execution, leading RFP/RFQ events, supplier management, terms and conditions negotiations, and the execution and delivery of ongoing requirements. 
• Source and negotiate agreements for the procurement of materials.
• Ensure that purchase commitments are met and delivered.  
• Act as a subject matter expert regarding materials procurement. 
• Communicate clearly and concisely.
• Work independently to manage tasks and timelines.
• Input and maintain necessary data in company ERP system and participate in testing upgrades.
• Promote Procurement services throughout the organization.
• Support stakeholders to help achieve key organizational goals. 
• Develop and maintain a positive working relationship with internal and external stakeholders.
• Engage with a broad range of stakeholders with tact, courtesy, and professionalism.
• Communicate clearly, both in person and virtually, using a high level of communication and active listening skills.
• Maintain a regular, dependable attendance and a consistently high level of performance.
• Will work non-traditional hours as needed.
• Maintain a high regard for personal safety, for the safety of company assets and employees, and the public.
• Other daily, weekly, monthly, or special project duties as identified and defined.

Minimum requirements:

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution in Supply Chain Management, Business, Engineering, Accounting, or a related discipline.
• A minimum of five (5) years of relevant direct work experience may be considered as a substitute for a degree.

Experience/Specific Knowledge:

• A minimum of at least three (3) years direct or active work experience in Procurement or other relevant experience.
• Must have sourcing, contracting, supplier management and/or negotiation experience.
• Familiarity with energy industry-related commodities and understanding of engineering standards/AML process.
• Intermediate proficiency level in MS Office applications, including Excel, Word, PowerPoint and Outlook.

Position may be filled as a Buyer, Sr. if:

• In addition to the degree requirement (or degree substitute), a minimum of at least seven (7) years direct or active work experience in Procurement or other relevant experience.
• Extensive experience in planning and implementing strategies for large material/engineered equipment purchases.
• Extensive project material purchasing experience.
• Extensive experience in negotiating the best terms and conditions for complex material purchases.
• Experience in implementing structured supplier evaluation procedures and RFQ processes.

Certifications, Licenses & Registrations:

• Must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license and a driving record satisfactory to the company and its insurers (for travel).

Competencies, Skills & Abilities:

• Strong interpersonal, negotiation, listening and presentation skills.
• Exceptional team member.
• Must be able to prioritize and manage work requirements independently to meet various schedules and objectives.
• Strong problem solving and analytical skills, including the ability to resolve complex issues and to identify value generating opportunities.
• Self-motivated with the ability to manage multiple tasks, meet multiple deadlines, and work with minimal direct supervision successfully and simultaneously.
• Ability to organize, schedule and prioritize workload to meet various schedules and objectives on short notice.
• Ability to resolve conflict in a win-win manner.
• Must be able to work with a team, take direction from management, adhere to required work schedules, focus attention on details, and follow work rules.
• Ability to successfully perform multiple tasks with strict deadlines.
• Ability to organize and prioritize daily work.
• Must be able to perform all essential and marginal functions of the job.
• Job level commensurate with experience and skill sets; position will be filled depending on qualifications, experience and skill sets of the successful candidate. 

Physical Demands:

All the physical requirements listed below are those that may be necessary for an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Sitting; standing; walking or moving throughout facility; driving; talking; seeing (specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus); hearing; feeling; bending or stooping; squatting or crouching; reaching; kneeling; pushing; pulling; lifting up to 25 lbs.
• Minimal safety hazards; general office working conditions.
• Must be able to sit for prolonged periods of time.
• The employee is regularly required to use hands to type, touch, handle, or feel. The employee is required to talk and hear.  The employee is frequently required to stand and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to walk and climb or balance.  The employee must regularly lift and /or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.

Working Conditions:

• May be required to carry a cell phone and be available to respond during working and non-working hours.
• The successful candidate will be required to clear a drug screen and a complete background check, including credit report for certain positions, after an offer has been extended and prior to being employed.

 Supervisory Responsibility:

• Informal mentor role.

PREFERRED EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, CERTIFICATIONS, COMPETENCIES, SKILLS, & ABILITIES:

Above the minimum requirements, not required but advantageous in this position:

• CPSM or CPIM certification preferred, but not required.
• Experience with Oracle Cloud ERP Inventory Control, Requisition and Procurement modules.
• Experience with e-sourcing, CLM, and spend analytics applications.

Other responsibilities:

• The above statements describe the general nature and level of work being performed.  This position may perform other duties as assigned.

Tallgrass is an equal opportunity employer.  Qualified applicants are considered for positions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, citizenship status, marital status, medical condition, physical or mental disability or any other legally protected status.  EOE/M/F/D/V