Position Summary:

A Planner/Buyer sources, negotiates, and buys the materials, equipment, and contracted services that support NW Natural's construction, engineering, gas storage, LNG, and compressor station work. Working closely with project managers, engineers, operations, Legal, and Risk, this role manages competitive sourcing events, supplier contracts, and purchase orders from intake through closeout. The position helps both capital and O&M projects get the right goods and services at the right time and at the best total value, while following NW Natural's procurement policies, safety requirements, and internal controls.

This is a split-level posting for a Planner/Buyer 1, 2, or 3. The level of hire will be based on the selected candidate's experience and qualifications, measured against NW Natural's job leveling guidelines. Scope, complexity, dollar value, and independence increase at each level, as described under Responsibilities by Level and Qualifications.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

All levels perform the following core duties. Level 1 performs them on routine, lower-risk work under close guidance; Level 2 performs them independently on moderately complex work; and Level 3 leads them on the most complex, high-value, and high-risk work.

• Reviews purchase requisitions for completeness, accuracy, accounting, and approval authority; creates, issues, changes, and closes standard and framework purchase orders in SAP S/4HANA within timelines that meet stakeholder expectations.
• Plans and conducts competitive sourcing events (RFI, RFP, RFQ) in SAP Ariba, including scope-of-work development with stakeholders, specification review, bidder lists, evaluation scorecards, bidder questions, bid walks, bid analysis, and award recommendations.
• Negotiates pricing, delivery, payment terms, and commercial terms with suppliers and contractors; documents sourcing decisions, including Competitive Assessment Memos (CAMs) for non-competitive purchases.
• Partners with Legal and other internal stakeholders to negotiate and finalize contracts, agreements, and NDAs, including supplier agreements (for example, master services, master construction, and goods/services terms), coordinating redlines and exceptions with Legal and Risk/Insurance.
• Checks supplier qualifications and compliance before award, including safety prequalification, financial risk, certificates of insurance, and new-vendor setup; supports the onboarding and management of emerging suppliers through effective contract management, supplier due diligence, and supplier risk management.
• Tracks open purchase orders, delivery dates, change orders, receipts, and accruals, and keeps PO information in SAP current and accurate; works with Accounts Payable, project teams, and suppliers to resolve invoice, pricing, shipment, defective material, and delivery problems.
• Expedites critical and long-lead materials and equipment to support project schedules and plant reliability; finds and reports supply risks early.
• Builds and maintains effective relationships with internal stakeholders and a network of suppliers to support timely purchases and deliveries; monitors and supports key strategic supplier relationships, including contract and conflict resolution.
• Monitors supplier performance and service level agreement compliance to make sure products and services are delivered on schedule and meet specifications; keeps files and records of supplier meetings, makes sure suppliers know how they are performing, and supports scorecards and corrective actions.
• Maintains a thorough understanding of market conditions, including drivers, shifts, dynamics, and trends, and advises stakeholders through option analysis.
• Takes part in or leads process improvement projects that improve procurement service delivery and stakeholder satisfaction; supports team training, continuous improvement, and team and individual KPIs.
• Develops key procurement competencies, such as business relationship management, negotiation best practices, and oversight of contract terms and conditions.
• Keeps accurate procurement records in SAP, Ariba, and SharePoint to support audit, regulatory, and reporting requirements; records cost savings and cost avoidance.
• Follows the Expenditure Authorization Policy, procurement Standard Operating Guidelines, and the Code of Conduct, and supports the company's commitment to a culture of safe work practices.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Responsibilities by Level:

Planner/Buyer 1 (Entry Level): Learns NW Natural procurement processes, systems, and commodities while handling routine, lower-risk purchases under close guidance from senior buyers and the Procurement Manager.

• Processes routine requisitions and issues standard purchase orders for repeat materials, catalog items, and lower-dollar services within established guidelines.
• Conducts informal quotes (RFQs) and supports larger sourcing events by drafting documents, managing bidder questions, and compiling bid tabulations.
• Uses NW Natural standard terms and templates; escalates contract deviations, supplier exceptions, and pricing issues to senior buyers.
• Expedites orders, tracks deliveries, and resolves routine invoice, receipt, and shipment issues with suppliers and Accounts Payable.
• Supports new-vendor setup, certificate of insurance collection, and supplier prequalification; maintains accurate records in SAP, Ariba, and SharePoint.
• Builds working knowledge of procurement policies, negotiation, and contract management through training and on-the-job development.

Planner/Buyer 2 (Intermediate Level): Works independently on a moderately complex portfolio and manages the full sourcing and purchase order cycle for assigned business units, seeking guidance on high-risk or unusual matters.

• Independently plans and runs competitive sourcing events (RFI, RFP, RFQ) for moderately complex materials, equipment, and services, from scope development through award recommendation.
• Negotiates pricing, delivery, and commercial terms; prepares Competitive Assessment Memos (CAMs); coordinates redlines with Legal and Risk on standard agreements.
• Serves as the primary procurement contact for assigned project teams; manages change orders, open purchase orders, and accruals.
• Monitors supplier performance and supports scorecards and corrective actions.
• Identifies supply risks and process improvement opportunities, and may provide day-to-day guidance to Planner/Buyer 1 staff.

Planner/Buyer 3 (Senior Level): Acts as a senior procurement advisor, independently managing the department's most complex, high-value, and high-risk sourcing and contracting with minimal oversight.

• Leads complex, high-value sourcing events for major capital programs, LNG, compressor station, and storage work, including construction and engineering services and capital equipment.
• Develops category and sourcing strategies and advises leaders and stakeholders on market conditions, options, and total cost of ownership.
• Leads negotiation of master services, master construction, and EPC-type agreements, partnering with Legal and Risk to resolve significant exceptions.
• Manages key strategic supplier relationships, including performance reviews, escalations, and conflict resolution.
• Leads process improvement initiatives, mentors and trains Planner/Buyer 1 and 2 staff, and serves as a point of escalation for the team.

Department Specific Duties:

• Serves as a primary buyer for assigned Construction, Engineering & Storage business units, which may include LNG, compressor stations, gate stations, and major capital programs.
• Sources and manages contract construction, engineering and consulting services, inspection and testing services, and gas production and plant equipment (for example, valves, actuators, and rotating equipment).
• Takes part in project kickoff, sourcing strategy, and phase-gate meetings under the procurement process; keeps sourcing plans and trackers up to date.
• Coordinates material planning and reservations with Engineering, Stores, and project teams; supports material certification and receiving requirements.
• Supports contingent and contracted labor in SAP Fieldglass as needed.
• Supports department initiatives, such as category strategies, supplier segmentation, process standardization, and responsible use of digital and AI-enabled procurement tools.

Qualifications:

Required (All Levels)

• 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 preferred) and intermediate proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Word, Outlook, and Teams.
• Ability to read and understand scopes of work, specifications, and contract terms and conditions.
• Demonstrated organization, attention to detail, and the ability to manage several priorities and deadlines.
• Clear written and verbal communication skills and the ability to work collaboratively with technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Valid driver's license for occasional travel to company facilities.

Planner/Buyer 1:

• Less than 3 years of purchasing, procurement, contracting, supply chain, or related experience; relevant internships or coursework will be considered.
• Demonstrated interest in developing sourcing, negotiation, and contract management skills.

Planner/Buyer 2:

• 3 or more years of progressive purchasing, procurement, contracting, or supply chain experience, preferably related to engineering, construction, and/or gas pipeline operations.
• Experience running competitive bids and negotiating price and commercial terms with suppliers.
• Experience reviewing and evaluating proposals and applying standard contract terms and conditions.

Planner/Buyer 3:

• Five or more years of progressive purchasing, procurement, contracting, or supply chain experience, including sourcing construction or engineering services or capital equipment.
• Experience developing effective procurement strategies and giving the business proactive, high-value procurement advice based on a thorough understanding of its needs.
• Advanced negotiation skills, including the ability to develop strategies and tactics and to influence decisions on complex, high-value contracts.
• Experience leading contract negotiations with Legal and Risk and managing strategic supplier relationships.
• Experience mentoring, training, or guiding other procurement staff.

Preferred

• 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 (for example, ISN and Dun & Bradstreet) and 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.

Physical, Environmental & Scheduling Requirements:

• Mainly office-based work using a computer for long periods.
• Occasional travel to company facilities and project sites for bid walks, supplier meetings, and site visits; some sites involve uneven terrain and outdoor conditions.
• Required personal protective equipment (PPE) must be worn while at field sites.
• Occasional work outside normal business hours may be needed to meet project, bid, or urgent supply deadlines.

Safety & Compliance Requirements

• Successful completion of a pre-employment background check is required; this role may access confidential commercial information and critical infrastructure facilities.
• Must complete required company safety training and site-specific orientations, and follow all safety rules and PPE requirements when visiting facilities.
• Must follow NW Natural procurement policies, the Expenditure Authorization Policy, confidentiality and conflict-of-interest requirements, and applicable regulatory and internal audit controls.