Connexus Energy is searching for a strong communicator with innovative problem solving skills to join our team as a Senior Buyer. This role will effectively represent the cooperative in the purchases of material, supplies, and services along with the management our vendor partner relationships. The Senior Buyer will also manage overall inventory in accordance with company policies, specifications, and practices to help meet established cooperative goals in serving our members.Based in Ramsey, Connexus Energy is Minnesota’s largest electric cooperative, providing electricity, renewable energy alternatives and related services to 145,000+ residential and commercial members just north of the Twin Cities. We offer a collaborative work environment with challenging and rewarding work, which provides for professional development and work-life balance in a highly technical, stable and innovative industry. We give back to the communities we have served for more than 80 years by embracing opportunities to volunteer, donate and support economic development. Our talented and friendly staff focuses on achieving our mission of powering our members and communities toward a smarter energy future with a passionate focus on affordability, innovation, safety, and grid reliability.Key Responsibilities & Results: Lead purchasing, materials management, and vendor negotiation processes to assure the continuous supply of materials and services required by the cooperative. Oversee total expense, inventory levels, vendor effectiveness and material adherence to cooperative’s specifications and standards.
Act as the lead procurement liaison between departments regarding capital equipment, services, and material requirements.
Lead emergency material procurement efforts as a member of the storm/disaster recovery team.
Keep departments informed of current lead times, pricing, technological changes, and any developments which may affect daily operations.
Understand current purchasing policies and procedures and recommend/implement process improvements where appropriate.
Participate in the development, negotiation, and fulfillment of contract requirements in the purchase of equipment, materials, products, and services.
Develop, document, and monitor supplier performance measures (open purchase orders, delivery schedules, and quantity) to reflect cost savings, vendor reliability, customer satisfaction, and quality of goods and services.
Maintain knowledge of industry and company changes affecting both the supply and demand for products or services. Assess and monitor suppliers’ production and distribution limitations and capabilities.
Work with accounts payable, vendors, and warehouse to resolve purchase order, receiving and invoice discrepancies.
Implement materials management and inventory control functions to meet the company’s material and service requirements.
Analyze inventory levels and manage stocking levels to ensure departments uninterrupted supply of critical construction and maintenance materials.
Coordinate with facilities and warehouse plans for materials storage in warehouse, yard, and offsite storage locations.
Keep current on industry trends, material requirements, forecasting methods, data retention, and retrieval.
Anticipate and respond to changes in work processes or project requirements which will impact inventory demand.
Plan for future inventory requirements and develop delivery schedule.
Train system users on Supply Chain software functionality and promote the importance of data integrity and accuracy to successfully manage inventories. Implement new processes and reporting within Supply Chain to improve performance and data retrieval, and metric visibility.
Manage automated reorder function and other purchasing reports to properly forecast part requirements with demonstrated cost savings.
Manage and communicate stocking and material availability metrics and KPI’s.
Manage relationships with key suppliers to ensure materials and services are available to support the cooperative’s needs. Provides industry-specific expertise and strategic and tactical direction in managing complex contract negotiations and supplier relationships.
Build and maintain vendor relationships to achieve necessary material quality, timeliness of delivery and at the best price
Lead recurring meetings to achieve necessary material quality, timeliness of delivery and competitive pricing.
Conduct business with reputable and ethical suppliers and manufacturers.
Required Talents, Skills, Expertise, Education
Four-year degree in Business, Supply Chain, or related field.
Five or more years related experience in purchasing, contract management, project planning, and inventory control.
Strong written and verbal communication, including negotiation, skills
Ability to effectively conduct analysis and apply problem solving skills
Advanced computer skills, with strong working knowledge of MS Excel and ERP system
Preferred Talents, Skills, Expertise, Education:
Professional certification from Institute of Supply Management or Association of Supply Chain Management preferred
Electric utility industry experience helpful
Pre-Employment Requirement: Employment is contingent upon successfully completing a pre-employment background check and drug screen.Compensation: Connexus Energy offers employees a competitive base salary, an annual incentive, and an attractive benefits package including medical, dental, life, company provided disability insurance, generous company contribution and match to 401(k), tuition reimbursement and more. An Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer: Minorities, Women, Veterans, DisabilitiesAll qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, disability or veteran status.