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IT Planner/Buyer 3
Non-Union Position
Purchasing Staff; Portland, Oregon (US-OR)
Hybrid schedule available for Oregon & Washington residents.
Regular FT
Posting # 5348
About Us:
At NW Natural, we offer more than rewarding career opportunities and a vibrant, inclusive work culture. We invite you to join us in providing safe and reliable utility services and renewable energy to better the lives of the communities we serve. Our vision is to be the leader in service excellence, innovation and environmental stewardship for our customers, while building on our strengths as a trusted energy provider and environmental leader for our industry.
In addition to environmental stewardship, we’re also deeply committed to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at NW Natural. Our DEI Council started 21 years ago, and today we continue to foster a culture where all employees can experience a sense of belonging, shared purpose and possibility.
The Role:
As digital transformation accelerates, procurement plays a critical role in enabling technology-driven business outcomes. We’re seeking a Senior Procurement buyer – Information, Technology and Security (IT&S) to sourcing strategies, optimize vendor relationships, and deliver best-in-class technology solutions. This role is pivotal in evolving our procurement team from tactical execution to a strategic business enabler.
Day to Day:
Primary Responsibilities
- Prepare and place purchase orders, schedule services and deliveries, and follow up to ensure timely completion to meet operational and service requirements.
- Provide purchasing support for IT and multi-business unit operations.
- Manage sourcing activities for IT hardware, software, cloud services, and professional services, including RFx (RFI, RFP, RFQ) processes.
- Negotiate and finalize contracts, NDAs, and agreements in partnership with Legal and internal stakeholders.
- Monitor short-term and long-term pricing for materials and services, balancing quality, delivery timelines, and payment terms.
- Evaluate market trends, vendor performance, and emerging technologies to optimize cost and reduce risk.
- Maintain ongoing collaboration with IT&S, Finance, Legal, Risk Management, and other business units.
- Support procurement functions in SAP S/4HANA, Ariba, Fieldglass.
- Support continuous improvement initiatives in procurement processes and vendor management.
- Resolve moderate to complex issues related to hardware and service quality, delivery, and pricing.
- Act as a resource for colleagues and mentor junior team members.
Technical & Functional Skills
Technical & Domain Expertise
- IT Sourcing Expertise: Skilled in sourcing IT products, services, and solutions to meet business needs.
- Vendor Performance & Compliance Management: Ensures suppliers meet contractual obligations and service-level expectations.
- Contract Negotiation: Negotiates complex agreements to optimize cost, mitigate risk, and secure favorable terms.
- Financial Acumen & Cost Optimization: Applies financial analysis to drive cost savings and value creation.
- Support IT&S projects by aligning procurement timelines with project schedules and critical milestones.
- Ensure sourcing decisions meet technical requirements and compliance standards.
Analytical & Cognitive Competencies
- Complex Problem Solving: Resolves multifaceted challenges with sound judgment and innovative approaches.
- Analytical Thinking: Uses data-driven insights to inform decisions and improve procurement strategies.
- Intellectual Curiosity: Continuously seeks new knowledge, trends, and best practices to enhance performance.
- Learning Agility: Adapts quickly to changing technologies, processes, and business priorities.
Professional & Behavioral Competencies
- Builds Trust & Influences: Establishes credibility and fosters strong relationships across stakeholders.
- Clear & Persuasive Communication: Articulates ideas effectively to influence decisions and drive alignment.
- Positive Influence: Inspires collaboration and promotes a constructive, solution-oriented environment.
- Results Orientation: Maintains focus on achieving measurable outcomes and delivering business value.
Come on your first day with:
- Bachelor’s degree in supply chain, Business, or related field required; professional certification preferred.
- Minimum 5+ years of buying experience in procurement or strategic sourcing; experience in IT and cybersecurity categories highly preferred.
- Avid knowledge of IT products, services, and market dynamics (cloud, SaaS, cybersecurity, infrastructure).
- Proven ability to lead teams and implement procurement strategies with measurable impact.
- Negotiation, contract management, analytical, and stakeholder management skills.
- Experience with ERP systems (SAP S/4HANA, Ariba, Fieldglass) and procurement analytics tools.
What we offer:
Health & Wellness –
- Rich health insurance benefits with competitive employer contribution
- Free access to an online wellness resources platform
Work Life Balance -
- Up to 23 Vacation Days
- 80 Hours of Sick Time
- 10 paid holidays and 3 floating holidays
- Flexible work arrangements
- 3 weeks paid parental leave
- Green Team / Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Council / Safety Team / Women’s Network and many other Employee Resource Groups
- 1500 sq foot exercise facility and secure bike room
Financial -
- Meaningful annual incentive bonus opportunity in addition to base salary
- Competitive 401K company contribution and match
- 15% discount on NW Natural stock through Employee Stock Purchase Program
- Up to $5250 a year in tuition reimbursement
- Wellness incentive program
Discounts -
- 20% off natural gas service
- Up to 30% discount at NW Natural Appliance Center
- TriMet Pass for all HQ employees
- Generous discounts with Verizon & AT&T Wireless
Base salary range: $86,500.00 - $123,250.00 per year, depending on qualifications
Annual Target Incentive: Level 3, 9.5% target
Targets are calculated using eligible earnings during plan year participation. Payout, if earned, is based on company and individual performance for each plan year and may range from 0% – 200% of target. Targets are subject to change in subsequent plan years. Must be employed by September 30 in order to receive any prorated payout.
Application Process: To be considered for this position, submit a complete electronic application including cover letter and resume via our website.
https://www.nwnatural.com/about-us/the-company/careers
Deadline: 12/30/25
Disclosure: We are a drug free workplace and we comply with Federal Drug Free Workplace Act and Department of Transportation regulations. NW Natural participates in E-Verify. Individuals hired will have their Form I-9 information submitted to E-Verify. E-Verify is an Internet-based system that compares information from an employee’s Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, to data from U.S. Department of Homeland Security and Social Security Administration records to confirm employment eligibility.
All applications must be submitted through NW Natural’s Electronic Application System. Resumes submitted via email, fax or mail will not be accepted in lieu of an electronic application.
NW Natural is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We welcome and embrace our candidates’ diversity and take affirmative action to employ and advance individuals without discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, religion, age, physical or mental disability, veteran status, pregnancy (including childbirth or related medical conditions), national origin, marital status, genetic information, and all other legally protected characteristics. We forbid discrimination and harassment in the workplace based on any protected status or characteristic. A criminal history is not an automatic bar to employment with NW Natural. Instead, we make individualized assessments regarding qualifications and backgrounds. NW Natural is also committed to providing reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities, individuals with sincerely held religious beliefs, and disabled veterans in our job application procedures. If you need assistance or an accommodation as part of the application process, please contact us at employment@nwnatural.com or (971) 979-6341.
NW Natural does not accept unsolicited submissions or assistance from search firms for posted positions. Resumes submitted by search firms working under a valid and current written contract with NW Natural valid written Statement of Work in place for this position from NW Natural HR/Employment will be deemed the sole property of NW Natural. No fee will be paid in the event the candidate is hired by NW Natural as a result of the referral or through other means.
Nearest Major Market: Portland Oregon