Contract Specialist I - III

Entergy • New Orleans, LA

2d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Contracts Specialist utilizes and applies significant supply chain and contracting knowledge and experience to contract for complex services, with variable scopes of work, across a diverse portfolio of Information Technology (IT) sub-categories and business functions, including Hardware, IT Professional and Consulting Services, Software, Telecom, Information Security, and Artificial Intelligence (AI). The role is responsible for contracting of services and hardware to meet the demands of the business and will interact extensively with business stakeholders, suppliers and other Supply Chain (SC) teams. This role assesses each service request to utilize the most appropriate sourcing channel, identify and execute the most appropriate contractual method of delivery, develop and coordinate all contractual requirements, negotiate the best commercial terms, and provide contract administration throughout the life of the contract. These duties shall be performed in a manner that ensures services are obtained in the most cost effective, efficient, and strategic method with strict adherence to Entergy’s policies, procedures, and core values. Key interfaces for this position are internal business customers and business units such as Information Technology, Artificial Intelligence, Cyber Security, Tax, Finance, Risk Management, Safety, Human Resources and Legal, and external suppliers.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in supply chain, Business, Accounting, Engineering, or other related discipline OR in lieu of a degree, minimum 4+ years of supplier contracting, vendor management, or other related supply chain experience (for Contract Specialist I)
• Bachelor’s degree in supply chain, Business, Accounting, Engineering, or other related discipline and minimum 2+ years of combined supplier contracting, vendor management, or other related supply chain experience OR in lieu of a degree, minimum 6+ years of supplier contracting, vendor management, or other related supply chain experience (for Contract Specialist II)
• Bachelor’s degree in supply chain, Business, Accounting, Engineering, or other related discipline and minimum 5+ years of combined supplier contracting, vendor management, or other related supply chain experience OR in lieu of a degree, minimum 9+ years of supplier contracting, vendor management, or other related supply chain experience (for Contract Specialist III)
• Advanced understanding of customer business drivers, objectives, budgets, needs and plans, and key interfaces inside and outside supply chain.
• Skillful application of commercial management processes (plan, strategy, source and perform); including local-owned businesses spend, safety metrics and tools.
• Skillful application of market intelligence to assess supply market status and evolution.
• Skillful in developing contract strategies, incorporating relevant market conditions, based on customer objectives; including multi-contracting strategies with contractual responsibilities and liabilities allocated between each contract.
• Skillful in building negotiation strategies and leading negotiations for moderate to complex IT commercial contracts with minimal support.
• Skillful application of pre-award and post-award contract management processes, including ability to identify and mitigate contractual risks to Entergy.
• Skillful in building draft and final IT agreements with a range of compensation vehicles (e.g., lump sum, unit rates, time and materials).
• Understands the criteria required to create an IT contract at the local, regional or enterprise level, one-off applications or master agreement.
• Advanced knowledge of business and supply chain operations within Entergy; including how Entergy buys and pays (HEBAP); advanced understanding of supply chain systems and processes
• Ability to engage with suppliers and facilitate other relevant parties to resolve obligation gaps and identify and make recommendations on legal issues.
• Proficient at supplier performance management.
• Skillful application of project management principles to ensure systematic, thorough completion of each assignment, identifying critical pathways and risks to delivery.
• Skillful application of commercial skills and financial acumen, understanding the key business drivers and impact to Entergy on outcomes.
• Skillful application of data analysis methods/techniques to provide detailed reports and insights; propose conclusions, use data trends and present in meaningful ways.
• Ability to coach other supply chain personnel in technical tools and techniques.
• Skillful at internal and external stakeholder communications; operates independently with stakeholders; apply influencing skills to develop best outcomes for Entergy.
• Skillful at building relationships and networks with all stakeholders; including with suppliers.
• Strong understanding of the management of change in post-award contract management.
• Strong understanding of how to effectively manage the costs of the business.
• Strong communication skills in presenting concise/relevant information to stakeholders.

Nice To Haves

• Prior IT contracting experience in support of the energy industry
• Supply Chain Certification from an industry accreditation organization such as CPSM, APICS, etc.

Responsibilities

• Actively promote strong safety behaviors and ensure the team always puts safety first. Utilize key tools, programs, and proactive field visits to assure standards and behaviors. Monitor and influence suppliers to proactively identify any safety concerns.
• Perform storm role duties as assigned through the Storm Assignment Management System (SAMS) and/or the nuclear Emergency Response Organization (ERO).
• Apply the principles and practices of plan, strategize, source and perform to each request.
• Pre-award contract development and post-award contract administration; create and lead the RFx bid process; develop negotiation strategies, optimal pricing methodology, establish KPIs when appropriate, and warranty protection.
• Perform detailed market and financial analyses to determine potential business risk associated with a supplier or contract; coordinate with Credit Risk as required.
• Identify and evaluate new and current sources of supply, including diverse suppliers, to ensure the most competitive and advantageous offering to Entergy is achieved.
• Work with Legal, Tax, and Risk Management to ensure any deviations from standard contract language are within Entergy’s Legal and Risk tolerance levels.
• At times process Purchase Orders and complete other works assignments as necessary to ensure the success of the Procurement organization.
• Deliver and document savings to Entergy through competitive bidding, direct negotiations, cost avoidance, etc.
• Develop and maintain relationships with stakeholders to ensure SUPPLY CHAIN is addressing contractual needs pro-actively and in the most beneficial way for Entergy.
• Work with stakeholders to analyze and develop company position on claims and disputes.
• Establish/maintain relationships with suppliers/partners, based on the ethical business practices as set forth in the Standards of Conduct and Integrity and Entergy's supply chain Polices.
• Ensure all requirements for savings, local-owned businesses spend, document retention, bidding, contractor safety and other areas of compliance are met.
• Maintain open communications between stakeholders and within supply chain to ensure that prompt, thorough, accurate, pertinent and complete information is provided.

Benefits

• As a provider of essential services, Entergy expects its employees to be available to work additional hours, to work in alternate locations, and/or to perform additional duties in connection with storms, outages, emergencies, or other situations as deemed necessary by the company. Exempt employees may not be paid overtime associated with such duties.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level