Procurement Manager (Prof. Svcs and Procurement Center)

Non-Union Position

Supply Chain Staff; Portland, Oregon (US-OR)

Hybrid schedule available for Oregon & Washington residents.

Regular FT

Posting # 5437

About Us:

At NW Natural, we offer more than rewarding career opportunities and a vibrant, inclusive work culture. We invite you to join us in providing safe and reliable utility services and renewable energy to better the lives of the communities we serve. Our vision is to be the leader in service excellence, innovation and environmental stewardship for our customers, while building on our strengths as a trusted energy provider and environmental leader for our industry.

In addition to environmental stewardship, we’re also deeply committed to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at NW Natural. Our DEI Council started 21 years ago, and today we continue to foster a culture where all employees can experience a sense of belonging, shared purpose and possibility.

The Role:

At NW Natural, we’re transforming Procurement into a strategic business partner that drives innovation, sustainability, and measurable value. Our mission is to enable growth through smarter sourcing, digital enablement, and collaborative partnerships.

This dual-role Procurement Manager will lead two critical teams:

- Indirect Professional Services Procurement Team – responsible for sourcing and managing categories such as consulting, legal, HR, marketing, facilities, and other corporate services.

- Procurement Center of Excellence (CoE) – focused on governance, best practices, process optimization, analytics, performance monitoring, and administration of procurement systems (SAP Ariba and Fieldglass).

You will develop category strategies, negotiate complex service agreements, and ensure operational excellence through standardized processes, compliance frameworks, and digital enablement. This position is pivotal in delivering cost efficiencies, risk mitigation, and continuous improvement across the procurement function.

Day to Day:

Team Leadership:

- Build and lead two high-performing teams: Indirect Professional Services buyers and CoE specialists.

- Foster collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement across both teams.

- Provide coaching and mentorship to ensure professional growth and alignment with organizational objectives.

Strategic Sourcing & Category Management:

- Develop and execute sourcing strategies for consulting, legal, HR, marketing, and other professional services.

- Analyze market trends, cost drivers, and supplier capabilities in the professional services sector.

Contract Negotiation & Risk Management:

- Negotiate complex agreements, including MSAs, SOWs, and performance-based contracts.

- Implement risk mitigation strategies such as compliance clauses, confidentiality agreements, and performance guarantees.

Vendor Relationship Management:

- Build and maintain strategic partnerships with consulting firms, agencies, and service providers.

- Monitor vendor performance and resolve disputes effectively.

Center of Excellence Leadership:

- Define and maintain procurement policies, procedures, and compliance standards.

- Oversee functional administration of SAP Ariba and Fieldglass platforms, ensuring system integrity and optimization.

- Develop dashboards, KPIs, and reporting tools to track procurement performance and provide actionable insights.

- Identify and implement process improvements to enhance efficiency and reduce risk.

- Benchmark against industry standards and integrate best practices into procurement operations.

Financial Acumen:

- Manage budgets, conduct cost analysis, and forecast for multi-million-dollar service engagements.

- Apply total cost of ownership (TCO) and value-based procurement principles.

Regulatory & Compliance:

- Ensure adherence to legal, ethical, and industry-specific compliance requirements.

- Implement controls to mitigate operational and compliance risks.

Project Procurement Expertise:

- Support corporate initiatives by aligning procurement timelines with project schedules and deliverables.

- Ensure sourcing decisions meet business requirements and compliance standards.

Digital Procurement Tools:

- Utilize ERP systems (SAP S/4HANA) and e-sourcing platforms (SAP Ariba, Fieldglass).

- Leverage analytics for spend visibility, supplier performance tracking, and risk assessment.

Stakeholder Collaboration:

- Partner with business leaders across HR, Legal, Marketing, and other functions to anticipate needs and influence procurement strategy.

- Act as a trusted advisor on sourcing, governance, compliance, and system capabilities.

Come on your first day with:

Key Competencies:

- Strategic Business Acumen

- Build Trust & Influences

- Complex Problem Solving

- Analytical Thinking & Data-Driven Decision Making

- Process Optimization & Continuous Improvement

- Intellectual Curiosity

- Results Orientation

- Learning Agility

- Clear and Persuasive Communication

- Positive Influence

Qualifications:

- Bachelor’s degree highly preferred, advanced degree or professional certification in Business analytics, Lean Six Sigma a plus.

- Minimum of 7 years of management experience in procurement or strategic sourcing, with a significant preference for expertise in professional services categories, procurement operations, governance, or process development.

- Skilled knowledge of procurement systems (SAP Ariba, Fieldglass) and ERP platforms (SAP S/4HANA).

- Proven ability to lead teams and deliver measurable business impact and operational improvements.

- Expertise in analytics, reporting, and performance management.

- Skilled negotiation, contract management, and stakeholder engagement skills.

What we offer:

Health & Wellness –

- Rich health insurance benefits with competitive employer contribution

- Free access to an online wellness resources platform

Work Life Balance -

- Up to 23 Vacation Days

- 80 Hours of Sick Time

- 10 paid holidays and 3 floating holidays

- Flexible work arrangements

- 3 weeks paid parental leave

- Green Team / Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Council / Safety Team / Women’s Network and many other Employee Resource Groups

- 1500 sq foot exercise facility and secure bike room

Financial -

- Meaningful annual incentive bonus opportunity in addition to base salary

- Competitive 401K company contribution and match

- 15% discount on NW Natural stock through Employee Stock Purchase Program

- Up to $5250 a year in tuition reimbursement

- Wellness incentive program

Discounts -

- 20% off natural gas service

- Up to 30% discount at NW Natural Appliance Center

- TriMet Pass for all HQ employees

- Generous discounts with Verizon & AT&T Wireless

Base salary range:$107,500.00 - $153,200.00 per year, depending on qualifications

Annual Target Incentive: Manager,15.0% target

https://www.nwnatural.com/about-us/the-company/careers

Deadline: 12/18/25

Disclosure: We are a drug free workplace and we comply with Federal Drug Free Workplace Act and Department of Transportation regulations. NW Natural participates in E-Verify. Individuals hired will have their Form I-9 information submitted to E-Verify. E-Verify is an Internet-based system that compares information from an employee’s Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, to data from U.S. Department of Homeland Security and Social Security Administration records to confirm employment eligibility.

All applications must be submitted through NW Natural’s Electronic Application System. Resumes submitted via email, fax or mail will not be accepted in lieu of an electronic application.

NW Natural is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We welcome and embrace our candidates’ diversity and take affirmative action to employ and advance individuals without discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, religion, age, physical or mental disability, veteran status, pregnancy (including childbirth or related medical conditions), national origin, marital status, genetic information, and all other legally protected characteristics. We forbid discrimination and harassment in the workplace based on any protected status or characteristic. A criminal history is not an automatic bar to employment with NW Natural. Instead, we make individualized assessments regarding qualifications and backgrounds. NW Natural is also committed to providing reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities, individuals with sincerely held religious beliefs, and disabled veterans in our job application procedures. If you need assistance or an accommodation as part of the application process, please contact us at employment@nwnatural.com or (971) 979-6341.

NW Natural does not accept unsolicited submissions or assistance from search firms for posted positions. Resumes submitted by search firms working under a valid and current written contract with NW Natural valid written Statement of Work in place for this position from NW Natural HR/Employment will be deemed the sole property of NW Natural. No fee will be paid in the event the candidate is hired by NW Natural as a result of the referral or through other means.