Procurement Specialist I | Supply Chain Operations

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Date: Jan 17, 2025

Location: PHOENIX, AZ, US, 85004-3903

Company: APS

Arizona Public Service generates clean, reliable and affordable energy for 2.7 million Arizonans. Our service territory stretches across the state, from the border town of Douglas to the vistas of the Grand Canyon, from the solar fields of Gila Bend to the ponderosa pines of Payson. As the state’s largest and longest-serving energy provider, our more than 6,000 dedicated employees power our vision of creating a sustainable energy future for Arizona.

Since our founding in 1886, APS has demonstrated a strong commitment to our customers in one of the country’s fastest growing states, earning a reputation for customer satisfaction, shareholder value, operational excellence and business integrity.

Our present and future success depends on the creative and dedicated people of our company who demonstrate the principles outlined in the APS Promise: Design for Tomorrow, Empower Each Other and Succeed Together.

Summary

Procurement Specialist I | Supply Chain Operations

As a Procurement Specialist I, you will manage and execute operational procurement activities to support the buying requirements of specific categories or business units. Your role will focus on adhering to strategic supply chain category strategies, delivering cost savings, optimizing inventory, and enhancing supplier management, including supplier diversity initiatives. You’ll work closely with business unit partners to deliver exceptional customer service while executing Procure-to-Pay (P2P) processes efficiently and supporting continuous improvement initiatives.

Key Skills and Responsibilities

Procurement Operations: Manage procurement activities to ensure timely and cost-effective fulfillment of category or business unit requirements.

Strategic Alignment: Adhere to and support strategic supply chain category strategies, achieving cost management and operational efficiency goals.

Supplier Management: Foster strong relationships with suppliers to ensure quality, compliance, and supplier diversity goals are met.

Procure-to-Pay (P2P) Execution: Execute end-to-end P2P processes, ensuring accuracy, efficiency, and alignment with organizational standards.

Process Improvement: Continuously evaluate and improve procurement processes to drive better outcomes and customer satisfaction.

Customer Service: Partner with business units to understand and meet their procurement needs, delivering excellent service and support.

Data Analysis: Leverage analytics to monitor performance metrics, identify opportunities, and recommend actionable improvements.

We’re looking for individuals who:

+ Have experience in procurement, supply chain, or vendor management roles.

+ Demonstrate proficiency in Procure-to-Pay (P2P) processes and related systems.

+ Possess strong negotiation, problem-solving, and analytical skills.

+ Are skilled at building relationships with suppliers and internal stakeholders.

+ Show a commitment to supplier diversity and sustainability initiatives.

+ Are adept at process improvement and thrive in dynamic, fast-paced environments.

+ Communicate effectively and excel at delivering customer-focused solutions.

Minimum Requirements

Procurement Specialist I | Supply Chain Operations

+ Bachelor's degree in Business, Supply Chain or other job-related discipline from an accredited college or university

+ Two (2) years' experience in materials or services positions.

+ In lieu of bachelor's degree, six (6) years of significant, closely related materials/services/supply chain experience required.

Preferred Special Skills, Knowledge or Qualifications

+ Exposure to strategic supply chain management.

+ Experience using Material Requirements Planning (MRP) systems.

+ Strong analytical, verbal and written communication, negotiation and interpersonal skills.

Major Accountabilities

1) Serves as primary contact with Business Unit partners and suppliers/contractors/subcontractors to ensure a continuous flow of quality materials/services/labor to meet or exceed service levels at the lowest total cost.

2) Owns tracking of inbound/outbound shipments to ensure they are complete, correct and on-time. Develops strategies for inventory optimization. Manages stock planning parameters to appropriately predict future inventory needs and produce plans for buying. Utilizes MRP system for determining necessary resources (goods and services) to meet Business Unit schedules. Collaborates with Inventory Management and warehouse supervisors to identify and resolve inventory discrepancies, as necessary.

3) Executes P2P process for goods and services in an efficient and cost-effective manner to maximize value. Coordinates supply chain processes to achieve expected results. Monitors and measures performance, evaluates effectiveness, and communicates results.

4) Executes RFx (request for information, request for proposal, request for quote, request for bid) process utilizing technology and other resources to source innovative suppliers to ensure appropriate, proactive response. Leads the evaluation, negotiation and contracting of long-term contracts including key performance indicators (KPIs) up to $5M in spend with autonomous decision making with appropriate Business Unit partners.

5) Develops and manages contracts and agreements incorporating appropriate performance and results expectations and resolves contract issues. This includes standalone agreements and forms of orders. Reads and understands statements of work (SOW) to ensure SOW documentation meets all APS compliance requirements. Exercises independent judgment and discretion when researching, vetting and selecting vendors; negotiating with vendors on pricing and making recommendations to management.

6) Manages multiple internal and external stakeholders to influence key aspects of projects, budgets and orders including accelerating their overall progression. Acts as the procurement contact to Business unit on both routine and significant processes/concerns related to Procurement and Materials Management to achieve a necessary result.

7) Develops, plans and leads negotiations with suppliers that include pricing along with contract terms and conditions on low complex orders. Involves stakeholders to ensure the business partner's project plan is adhered to. Builds strong working relationships with suppliers by negotiating expedited dates and prices, managing invoice discrepancies and adherence to contracts, and working through change orders.

8) Measures, analyzes and manages the performance of suppliers/contractors to reduce costs, mitigate risk and drive continuous improvement to meet APS business requirements. Co-develops effective S.M.A.R.T. key performance indicators (KPIs) and metrics to drive the performance of both APS Business Unit and supplier/contractor.

9) Understands supplier markets and utilizes supply chain forums to proactively address Business Unit challenges. Utilizes analytical software tools to execute and/or support data-driven decisions.

10) Participates with category managers and senior procurement staff to develop and implement strategies for categories to achieve targeted supply chain results for cost management, supplier management including supplier diversity and process improvements.

Export Compliance / EEO Statement

This position may require access to and/or use of information subject to control under the Department of Energy's Part 810 Regulations (10 CFR Part 810), the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) (15 CFR Parts 730 through 774), or the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) (22 CFR Chapter I, Subchapter M Part 120) (collectively, 'U.S. Export Control Laws'). Therefore, some positions may require applicants to be a U.S. person, which is defined as a U.S. Citizen, a U.S. Lawful Permanent Resident (i.e. 'Green Card Holder'), a Political Asylee, or a Refugee under the U.S. Export Control Laws. All applicants will be required to confirm their U.S. person or non-US person status. All information collected in this regard will only be used to ensure compliance with U.S. Export Control Laws, and will be used in full compliance with all applicable laws prohibiting discrimination on the basis of national origin and other factors. For positions at Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Stations (PVNGS) all openings will require applicants to be a U.S. person.

Pinnacle West Capital Corporation and its subsidiaries and affiliates ('Pinnacle West') maintain a continuing policy of nondiscrimination in employment. It is our policy to provide equal opportunity in all phases of the employment process and in compliance with applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations. This policy of nondiscrimination shall include, but not be limited to, recruiting, hiring, promoting, compensating, reassigning, demoting, transferring, laying off, recalling, terminating employment, and training for all positions without regard to race, color, religion, disability, age, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status, protected veteran status, or any other classification or characteristic protected by law.

For more information on applicable equal employment regulations, please refer to EEO is the Law poster. Federal law requires all employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of every person hired to work in the United States, refer to E-Verify poster. View the employee rights and responsibilities under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA).

Arizona Public Service is a smoke free workplace.

Hybrid: Employees in hybrid roles work both in their home offices (virtually) and alongside their colleagues (in person).

In order for employees to build strong relationships and to promote meaningful in-person interactions, hybrid employees are expected to work about 40% of their time in-person at an APS or other (non-home office) location.

*Employees are expected to reside in Arizona (or New Mexico for Four Corners-based employees).

*Working from a home office requires adequate technology and an appropriate ergonomic set up.

*Role types are subject to change based on business need.