Contract Specialist I- Sr

Entergy•New Orleans, LA

7d•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 multiple business areas (projects, operations, etc.). The role is responsible for developing, leading and negotiating complex business contracting strategies, recognizing and integrating relevant market conditions. Key interfaces for this position are internal business customers such as a business unit, Tax, Finance, Risk Management, Safety, Human Resources and Legal, and external suppliers. Within SC, common interfaces for this role are Procurement Operations, Category Management, Capital Projects & Decommissioning, Supplier Diversity and Warehousing and Inventory Management.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Business, Accounting, Engineering, Legal, 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, Legal, 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, Legal, 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)
Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Business, Accounting, Engineering, Legal, or other related discipline and minimum 9+ years of combined supplier contracting, vendor management, or other related supply chain experience OR in lieu of a degree, minimum 13+ years of supplier contracting, vendor management, or other related supply chain experience (for Contracts Specialist Sr.)
Advanced understanding of customer business drivers, objectives, budgets, needs and plans, and key interfaces inside and outside SC
Skillful application of commercial management processes (plan, strategy, source and perform); including supplier diversity, 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 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 agreements with a range of compensation vehicles (e.g., lump sum, unit rates, time and materials)
Understands the criteria required to create a contract at the local, regional or enterprise level; one-off applications or master agreement
Advanced knowledge of business and SC 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 contracting experience in support of the energy industry
SC 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).
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 local 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.
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 SC 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 SC Polices.
Ensure all requirements for savings, diversity, document retention, bidding, contractor safety and other areas of compliance are met.
Maintain open communications between stakeholders and within SC to ensure that prompt, thorough, accurate, pertinent and complete information is provided.