Associate Sourcing Project Specialist / Sourcing Project Specialist

Xcel Energy•Minneapolis, MN

7d•Hybrid

About The Position

Xcel Energy is hiring at either the Associate Sourcing Project Specialist or Sourcing Project Specialist level, depending on the selected candidate’s background and experience. The role provides sourcing direction and support for company projects, negotiates with suppliers on behalf of internal stakeholders, executes contracts, and monitors supplier performance to help ensure project success. The associate level supports projects involving purchases up to $5 million and includes a two-year developmental plan; successful completion allows promotional consideration to the Sourcing Project Specialist level. The specialist level provides leadership for large, complex projects involving purchases up to $50 million and mentors associate specialists. Both levels coordinate sourcing plans with business units and supply chain resources, define or lead bid requirements and evaluations, pursue cost savings, manage supplier relationships, and administer project contracts and risk documentation. The role requires domestic travel of up to 10% at the associate level or up to 20% at the specialist level. Xcel Energy supports a hybrid work model, with many roles expected onsite three days per week, Tuesday through Thursday; work location expectations vary by role, team, and business needs. The associate position offers a stated salary range of $73,700–$104,633. The specialist position offers a stated salary range of $84,900–$120,567. The posting also gives an anticipated starting base-pay range for the position of $73,700–$120,567 per year. Listed benefits include an annual incentive program, medical/pharmacy, dental, vision and life insurance, flexible spending and health savings accounts, transportation reimbursement, short- and long-term disability, employee assistance, fitness center reimbursement, tuition reimbursement, transit programs, employee recognition, pension, 401(k), paid time off, holidays, volunteer paid time off, and parental leave. Benefit plans may change.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Engineering, Project Management, Business, Finance, or equivalent experience.
Associate level: at least three years of supply chain experience, or at least five years of company operations experience with significant exposure to supply chain processes.
Specialist level: five years of purchasing, sourcing, or logistics experience.
Associate level: basic contract knowledge, negotiation skills, and project management skills.
Specialist level: significant contract knowledge, negotiation and project management skills, and considerable knowledge of sourcing and supply chain management principles.
Associate level: willing and able to pursue Certified Professional in Supply Management (CPSM) certification or equivalent.
Specialist level: pursue and maintain CPSM certification or equivalent.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office and significant experience with purchasing and sourcing systems are required at the specialist level.
Results-oriented and customer-focused.
Strong interpersonal and relationship skills; the specialist level also requires presentation skills.
Willingness and ability to travel domestically up to 10% at the associate level or up to 20% at the specialist level.
Associate level: complete the two-year developmental plan; failure to complete it within two years can result in removal from the position.

Nice To Haves

Project management experience for the Sourcing Project Specialist level.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office and experience with purchasing and sourcing systems.
SAP COUPA experience.

Responsibilities

Source goods and services for company projects, up to $5 million at the associate level and up to $50 million at the specialist level.
Coordinate or lead the development of technical bid requirements, specifications, and project-specific terms and conditions.
Execute or lead bidding events and coordinate or lead bid evaluation teams to assess proposals and award business.
Identify opportunities for cost savings and cost avoidance; at the specialist level, also seek to consolidate sourcing activities to encourage supplier competition.
Create and coordinate or manage sourcing project plans, engage or control supply chain resources, and integrate sourcing plans with business project plans.
Maintain relationships with business-unit stakeholders and communicate sourcing project status.
Establish metrics for supplier services and contractual requirements and monitor supplier performance.
Negotiate project contracts and represent company interests; at the specialist level, develop negotiation strategies and lead negotiations for major capital projects.
Coordinate or facilitate resolution of supplier disputes and contract adjustments with suppliers and internal stakeholders.
Monitor supplier commitments, milestones, and performance to ensure project value is achieved; at the specialist level, establish and oversee the monitoring process and manage assigned tier I and II supplier relationships.
Collaborate with category managers to align supplier support with category strategies.
Administer project contract agreements and forms, define and manage contractual risks, and assemble project-specific insurance documentation.
Ensure required documents and notices are obtained and satisfactory to limit company liability.
At the specialist level, mentor associate specialists in sourcing event management, negotiation strategy, program standardization, supplier management, project management, and risk containment.