Senior Procurement Buyer (Construction, Engineering, and Gas Storage Operations)

Non-Union Position

Purchasing Staff; Portland, Oregon (US-OR)

Hybrid schedule available for Oregon & Washington residents.

Regular FT

Posting # 5440

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:

Lead strategic sourcing for major engineering and construction initiatives at NW Natural. In this senior role, you’ll shape procurement strategies for $50–$100M+ projects, drive complex negotiations, and strengthen supplier partnerships to deliver measurable business value. Join a team dedicated to enhancing our capabilities, driving sustainable practices, and delivering on operational excellence.

As a Senior Procurement Buyer, you will help transform procurement from a transactional function into a strategic partner that supports critical infrastructure development. You’ll manage end-to-end procurement for large-scale engineering and plant construction projects; planning, sourcing, and securing services, equipment, and materials. Core responsibilities include analyzing specifications, evaluating proposals, negotiating high-value contracts, and ensuring compliance with company standards.

Aligned with NW Natural’s vision to position Procurement as a catalyst for improvement, sustainability, and measurable value, you will collaborate closely with internal stakeholders to deliver timely, cost-effective, and compliant solutions. You will also play a critical role in shaping sourcing strategies, optimizing procurement processes, and monitoring vendor performance to achieve operational excellence while supporting company goals for safety, integrity, and environmental stewardship.

Day to Day:

Strategic Sourcing & Category Management

- Develop and execute sourcing strategies for engineering services, construction services, materials, and operational supplies.

- Analyze market trends, cost drivers, and supplier capabilities to inform decision-making.

- Deliver optimal value through cost control, risk mitigation, and timely procurement.

Stakeholder Engagement & Customer Service

- Build strong relationships with internal stakeholders through proactive, transparent communication.

- Collaborate with business partners to integrate forecasted requirements into procurement plans.

- Serve as a trusted resource and mentor for colleagues and junior team members.

Contracting & Negotiation

- Work closely with Legal and internal teams to negotiate and finalize contracts, NDAs, and agreements.

- Promote best practices in negotiation and business relationship management to strengthen procurement capabilities.

Operational Excellence

- Process approved requisitions and create purchase orders (POs) within established timelines.

- Track PO delivery dates and maintain accurate data in SAP S/4HANA, Ariba, and Fieldglass.

- Resolve complex issues related to product/service quality, delivery, and pricing.

Vendor Performance & Compliance

- Ensure suppliers meet contractual obligations and service-level agreements.

- Monitor and document supplier performance, addressing discrepancies promptly.

- Maintain compliance with company standards and regulatory requirements.

Financial Acumen & Cost Optimization

- Apply financial analysis to identify cost-saving opportunities and maximize value.

- Monitor short-term and long-term pricing trends for materials and services, balancing quality, delivery, and payment terms.

Continuous Improvement & Leadership

- Lead or contribute to process improvement initiatives that enhance procurement efficiency and stakeholder satisfaction.

Come on your first day with:

Key Competencies

- Tactical Business Acumen

- Build Trust & Influences

- Complex Problem Solving

- Analytical Thinking

- Intellectual Curiosity

- Results Orientation

- Learning Agility

- Clear and Persuasive Communication

- Positive Influence

Experience & Education

- Bachelor’s degree in supply chain, Business, or related field required; CPSM or PMP certification highly desirable.

- Minimum 5+ years of buying experience in procurement or strategic sourcing; strongly preferred experience in utility, construction, or engineering related industries

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

- Avid negotiation, contract management, analytical, and stakeholder management skills.

- Experience with ERP systems (SAP S/4HANA, Ariba, Fieldglass) and procurement analytics tools.

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:$79,500.00 - $109,100.00 per year, depending on qualifications

Annual Target Incentive: Level 3, 9.5% target

Targets are calculated using eligible earnings during plan year participation. Payout, if earned, is based on company and individual performance for each plan year and may range from 0% – 200% of target. Targets are subject to change in subsequent plan years. Must be employed by September 30 in order to receive any prorated payout.

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

Deadline: 12/30/25

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.