Planner/Buyer in Construction, Engineering & Storage Procurement

NW Natural•Happy Valley, OR

12h•$59,500 - $111,850•Hybrid

About The Position

NW Natural is hiring a Planner/Buyer at level 1, 2, or 3 to source, negotiate, and purchase materials, equipment, and contracted services supporting construction, engineering, gas storage, LNG, and compressor station work. The role works with project managers, engineers, operations, Legal, and Risk to manage competitive sourcing events, supplier contracts, and purchase orders from intake through closeout. It supports capital and O&M projects by securing the right goods and services at the right time and value while following procurement policies, safety requirements, and internal controls. The level of hire depends on the candidate’s experience and qualifications; responsibility, complexity, dollar value, and independence increase by level. The Planner/Buyer serves as a primary buyer for assigned Construction, Engineering & Storage business units, which may include LNG, compressor stations, gate stations, and major capital programs. The position sources and manages construction, engineering, consulting, inspection, testing, gas production, and plant equipment purchases. It participates in project kickoff, sourcing strategy, and phase-gate meetings; coordinates material planning and reservations; supports certification and receiving requirements; and may support contingent and contracted labor in SAP Fieldglass. This is a hybrid role based at NW Natural’s downtown Portland headquarters. Employees must reside within commuting distance or be willing to relocate to the Portland metropolitan area. Onsite work is required Tuesdays through Thursdays, with remote flexibility on Mondays and Fridays subject to business needs. The work is mainly office-based, with occasional travel to company facilities and project sites. Some site visits involve uneven terrain and outdoor conditions, and required PPE must be worn. Occasional work outside normal business hours may be needed for project, bid, or urgent supply deadlines. Level 1 handles routine, lower-risk purchasing under close guidance; Level 2 independently manages a moderately complex portfolio and full sourcing and purchasing cycles, seeking guidance on unusual or high-risk issues; Level 3 serves as a senior procurement advisor, managing the most complex, high-value, and high-risk sourcing and contracting with minimal oversight. A background check, required safety training, and compliance with applicable procurement, confidentiality, safety, regulatory, and audit requirements are required.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in supply chain management, business administration, engineering, construction management, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Analytical, process-improvement, and assessment skills, including reviewing and evaluating proposals.
Working knowledge of an ERP purchasing system; SAP is preferred.
Intermediate proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Word, Outlook, and Teams.
Ability to read and understand scopes of work, specifications, and contract terms and conditions.
Organization, attention to detail, and ability to manage several priorities and deadlines.
Clear written and verbal communication skills and ability to collaborate with technical and non-technical stakeholders.
Valid driver’s license for occasional travel to company facilities.
Level 1: Less than 3 years of purchasing, procurement, contracting, supply chain, or related experience; relevant internships or coursework will be considered.
Level 1: Demonstrated interest in developing sourcing, negotiation, and contract management skills.
Level 2: At least 3 years of progressive purchasing, procurement, contracting, or supply chain experience, preferably related to engineering, construction, or gas pipeline operations.
Level 2: Experience running competitive bids, negotiating price and commercial terms, reviewing and evaluating proposals, and applying standard contract terms and conditions.
Level 3: At least 5 years of progressive purchasing, procurement, contracting, or supply chain experience, including sourcing construction or engineering services or capital equipment.
Level 3: Experience developing procurement strategies and giving proactive, high-value procurement advice based on business needs.
Level 3: Advanced negotiation skills, including developing strategies and tactics and influencing decisions on complex, high-value contracts.
Level 3: Experience leading contract negotiations with Legal and Risk and managing strategic supplier relationships.
Level 3: Experience mentoring, training, or guiding other procurement staff.
Successful completion of a pre-employment background check.
Completion of required company safety training and site-specific orientations, and compliance with site safety rules and PPE requirements.
Compliance with procurement policies, the Expenditure Authorization Policy, confidentiality and conflict-of-interest requirements, and applicable regulatory and internal audit controls.

Nice To Haves

Procurement experience in a regulated utility, energy, oil and gas, or heavy construction setting.
Project management experience.
Experience buying construction and engineering services or capital equipment, including master construction or EPC-type agreements and change order management.
Hands-on experience with SAP S/4HANA, SAP Ariba Sourcing and Contracts, and SAP Fieldglass.
Familiarity with contractor safety and supplier risk tools such as ISN and Dun & Bradstreet, and with insurance requirements.
Professional certification or coursework such as CPSM (ISM), CPP, CSCP (ASCM), or a related certificate.
Experience with spend analysis, cost and price analysis, or total cost of ownership evaluations.

Responsibilities

Review purchase requisitions for completeness, accuracy, accounting, and approval authority; create, issue, change, and close purchase orders in SAP S/4HANA.
Plan and conduct competitive sourcing events in SAP Ariba, including scope development, specification review, bidder selection, evaluation, bid analysis, and award recommendations.
Negotiate supplier and contractor pricing, delivery, payment, and commercial terms; document sourcing decisions, including Competitive Assessment Memos for non-competitive purchases.
Coordinate with Legal and internal stakeholders to negotiate and finalize contracts, agreements, and NDAs, including redlines and exceptions with Legal and Risk/Insurance.
Check supplier qualifications and compliance, including safety prequalification, financial risk, insurance certificates, and new-vendor setup; support supplier onboarding and risk management.
Track purchase orders, delivery dates, change orders, receipts, and accruals; keep SAP information accurate and resolve invoice, pricing, shipment, defective-material, and delivery issues with Accounts Payable, project teams, and suppliers.
Expedite critical and long-lead materials and equipment and identify and report supply risks early.
Build stakeholder and supplier relationships; monitor strategic supplier relationships and support contract and conflict resolution.
Monitor supplier performance and service-level agreement compliance; maintain supplier meeting records and support scorecards and corrective actions.
Monitor market conditions and advise stakeholders through options analysis.
Participate in or lead process improvement projects; support team training, continuous improvement, and team and individual KPIs.
Develop procurement competencies in business relationship management, negotiation, and contract terms and conditions.
Maintain accurate procurement records in SAP, Ariba, and SharePoint for audit, regulatory, and reporting requirements; record cost savings and cost avoidance.
Follow procurement policies, standard operating guidelines, the Expenditure Authorization Policy, the Code of Conduct, and safe-work practices.
Serve as a primary buyer for assigned Construction, Engineering & Storage business units and source construction, engineering, consulting, inspection, testing, gas production, and plant equipment requirements.
Participate in project kickoff, sourcing strategy, and phase-gate meetings; keep sourcing plans and trackers current.
Coordinate material planning and reservations with Engineering, Stores, and project teams; support material certification and receiving requirements.
Support contingent and contracted labor in SAP Fieldglass as needed, and contribute to category strategies, supplier segmentation, process standardization, and responsible use of digital and AI-enabled procurement tools.
At Level 1, process routine requisitions and standard purchase orders, conduct informal quotes, support larger sourcing events, escalate exceptions, expedite orders, and develop procurement knowledge through training and on-the-job learning.
At Level 2, independently run moderately complex sourcing events, negotiate terms, prepare Competitive Assessment Memos, coordinate standard contract redlines, serve as primary procurement contact for assigned teams, manage change orders and accruals, monitor supplier performance, and potentially guide Level 1 staff.
At Level 3, lead complex sourcing for major capital programs and related work, develop category and sourcing strategies, advise stakeholders on market conditions and total cost of ownership, lead significant contract negotiations, manage strategic suppliers, lead process improvements, and mentor and train other buyers.
Perform other related duties as assigned.

Benefits

Rich health insurance benefits with competitive employer contribution.
Free access to an online wellness resources platform.
Up to 23 vacation days.
80 hours of sick time.
10 paid holidays and 3 floating holidays.
3 weeks of paid parental leave.
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Council and Employee Resource Groups supporting community and growth.
On-site 1,500-square-foot exercise facility and secure bike room.
Annual incentive bonus opportunity in addition to base salary; target is 7.5% for Levels 1 and 2 and 9.5% for Level 3, subject to plan terms and performance.
Competitive 401(k) company contribution and match.
15% discount on NW Natural stock through the Employee Stock Purchase Program.
Up to $5,250 per year in tuition reimbursement.
Wellness incentive program.
20% discount on natural gas service.
Up to 30% discount at NW Natural Appliance Center.
TriMet Pass for all headquarters employees.
Discounts with Verizon and AT&T Wireless.
Hybrid schedule with remote work flexibility on Mondays and Fridays, subject to business needs.