Procurement Specialist I | Deer Valley Procurement

Procurement Specialist I | Deer Valley Procurement

As a Procurement Specialist I, you will contribute to the seamless execution of procurement operations, supporting the buying needs of specific categories or Business Units. Your role is key in implementing strategic supply chain initiatives, optimizing costs, and fostering supplier relationships while ensuring alignment with supplier diversity and process improvement goals. You'll partner with Business Units across the company to deliver exceptional customer service and oversee the Procure-to-Pay (P2P) process to maintain efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and high level of satisfaction.

• Operational Procurement Management: Execute day-to-day procurement activities aligned with category or Business Unit buying requirements, ensuring timely and accurate fulfillment.
• Cost & Inventory Optimization: Adhere to strategic supply chain goals for cost management and inventory control to support overall efficiency.
• Supplier Management & Diversity: Collaborate with suppliers to meet category objectives, foster strong relationships, and uphold supplier diversity goals.
• Business Unit Collaboration: Partner with Business Units to understand procurement needs and deliver outstanding customer service in meeting those requirements.
• Continuous Improvement: Identify areas for enhancing procurement operations, aligning with organizational strategies to improve service and cost outcomes.

We're looking for candidates who have:

• A foundational understanding of procurement or supply chain processes, with some experience managing operational procurement activities.
• The ability to build strong partnerships with suppliers and internal stakeholders, delivering high-quality customer service.
• A proactive approach to identifying and implementing process improvements to enhance operational efficiency.
• Knowledge of Procure-to-Pay (P2P) processes or related procurement systems.
• Strong organizational and problem-solving skills, with attention to detail and a focus on achieving cost and inventory management goals.
• A collaborative mindset, with the ability to support team objectives and contribute to a culture of continuous improvement.

Minimum Requirements:

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

PLUS

• 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.

- 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.

- 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.

- 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.

- 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.

- 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.

- 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.

- 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.

- 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.

- 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.

- 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.

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.