Associate Commodity Manager/Commodity Manager

This is a multi-level posting. Candidates may be considered for any of the posted levels, depending on their level of experience and depth of expertise.

As the most senior professional, acts with considerable latitude regarding the best course of action for the business for the assigned commoditie(s). Leads cross functional teams to develop commodity strategies, category plans and forecasting to achieve total cost improvements, lead time reductions and coordination of purchases. Establishes and maintains working relationships with suppliers and continually develops lists of approved suppliers for use by the company based on an understanding of driving market forces. Aligns with supply chain and engineering groups to create and manage short- and long-term goals and mitigate any risk associated with the commodity. The position involves contact with the general public, suppliers, leadership and co-workers across the BHE businesses.

Prepare and initiate strategic and robust plans to ensure positive value through a systematic approach for a specific group of products. This includes inventory management, lead-time reductions, lower costs, risk reduction and quality assessments. Lead internal customers across multiple business units and affiliated companies to review complex material and service requirements and forecasts for assigned commodities and develop and follow a procurement strategy to meet those needs. Assist and advise departments in preparing harmonized and optimized specifications for all procurement activities including materials and services as requested and locating qualified sources for required materials and/or services. (45%) Negotiate and prepare contracts for significant projects and transactions of significant complexity or where significant variance from standard terms and conditions are required. (20%) Set procurement strategy for assigned commodities, including but not limited to: new supplier qualification, negotiation strategy, commodity index linking and management and forecasting. (15%) Analyze procurement activities and highly complex purchase requisitions to identify areas of strategic sourcing with a goal to maximize leverage, reduce the cost of goods and services, improve processes, and strengthen the company position when negotiating with suppliers and contractors. (5%) Expedite purchase orders as necessary and ensure appropriate personnel are informed of status. (5%) Implement beneficial procurement plans and aggregation activities with other Berkshire Hathaway Energy businesses. (5%) Lead sourcing events across multiple business units or across affiliated companies to a successful and timely conclusion in support of the strategic commodity plan. (5%) Design and provide customer assistance for any system or process sponsored by the procurement department. This can include training to co-workers within and outside the department. Establish and maintain effective work relationships within the department and the company. Administer supplier audits, site reviews and any supply breakdowns due to not meeting expectations agreed upon by supplier. Perform additional responsibilities as requested or assigned including duties of the buyer. May act on behalf of procurement leadership upon request. Provides functional leadership to buyers, procurement specialists and other supply chain staff.

Bachelor's degree in engineering, business administration, supply chain management, finance or related field or equivalent work experience. (Typically six years of related, progressive work experience would be needed for candidates applying for this position who do not possess a bachelor's degree.) Three years of technical experience with the assigned commodity within a utility, manufacturing or industrial type company, including one year in a senior technical/ leadership role is required for the associate commodity manager level. The commodity manager requires five years technical experience with the assigned commodity within a utility, manufacturing or industrial type company, including one year in a senior technical/ leadership role. Candidates who possess accredited purchasing/APICS/ISM certification, Lean/SixSigma experience and/or proven process improvement backgrounds will be preferred. Experience within purchasing, on-line requisitioning, on-line spend management systems and inventory systems will be preferred. Consistently practices effective communication skills including listening, verbal and writing skills to process information timely and accurately. Proven ability to negotiate and persuade. Excellent interpersonal skills, a customer service focus and the ability to work as a member in a team oriented environment. This includes the ability to provide instruction, guidance and information to others. Strong personal computer skills such as Word and Excel, plus basic knowledge and ability in software packages such as PowerPoint and Visio. The ability to create documents and maintain information in department-specific software packages. Proficiency in keying and software program features based on required assessments. Ability to read and interpret complex technical documents. Project management skills to plan workflow including an ability to prioritize and handle multiple tasks and projects concurrently, coordinate assignments and resolve conflicting demands. Demonstrated ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, the general public and employees at all levels. Ability to deal with abstract and concrete concepts and to define obscure and incomplete problems, collect data, establish facts and draw valid conclusions. Effective analytical, problem-solving and decision-making skills. Leadership skills to effectively resolve problems involving personnel, accounting, inventory and purchasing situations. Able to conceptualize and develop creative alternatives to problem resolution. Ability to travel overnight as required. Employees must be able to perform the essential functions of the position, with or without an accommodation. We celebrate diversity, equity and inclusion, and we are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion or religious creed, age, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status (except as required by law), gender (including gender identity and expression), sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, genetic information, physical or mental disability, veteran or military status, familial or parental status, marital status or any other category protected by applicable local, state or U.S. federal law.