Director - Corporate Purchasing

Purpose

Reporting directly to the VP, Purchasing and Insurance, the Director Corporate Purchasing will be responsible for developing the strategy for the company across regions and product areas for the Corporate Business Areas and categories and for the Agile Purchasing team. This position is responsible for interfacing with the Executive team to develop and execute the strategic vision for the organization’s purchasing functions. Responsible for overseeing the development and execution of forward-looking sourcing strategies across all categories within span of control including targets, timelines, and resource plans. Coordinate with affiliate Corporate Areas to ensure alignment with overall business and regulatory strategy in support of critical infrastructure or major projects. Facilitate the acquisition of goods and services, negotiating contracts to gain advantaged pricing in the market and to ensure supply. Responsible for managing and implementing innovative and commercially focused solutions for leveraging value through strategic sourcing and procurement initiatives. Provide leadership and motivate a group of >10 employees, including other people leaders, to create a vision, communicate a strategy, and effectively interface with other Company leaders. Establish and direct supplier partnerships, create and implement cost reduction and cost avoidance initiatives.

Responsibilities

Oversee the sourcing of Corporate and Agile Purchasing Team (e.g., Facilities, Fleet, HR, IT, OT, Telecom, Finance, Customer Service, Security, all other Centralized Purchases < $750k) using a variety of traditional and leading-edge purchasing methods. Accountable for the results and KPIs of the Corporate and Agile Purchasing teams. Assures an uninterrupted supply of goods and services across all Avangrid Corporate areas, operating in a demanding multi-state regulatory environment. Warrant that the competitive bidding process, evaluation, and supplier selection is in adherence to the Purchasing Risk Policy and Purchasing Procedures.

• Oversee the development, responses, and implementation of policies, audits, and internal controls required.
• Sets goals, manages, evaluates, and develops staff. Challenges employees, builds effective teams, provide staff with coaching, feedback, and development opportunities.
• Maintains a current, accurate and advanced understanding of Corporate Purchasing categories and general business conditions. Tracks material/service cost and performance using approved metrics and tools.
• As part of Avangrid’s growth plan, leads efforts to integrate purchasing teams, align sourcing strategies, and implement best practices during post-merger integrations.
• Responsible for team member development and overall group performance. Institutes programs and measurements to drive increased performance levels.
• Work across a global matrixed organization, sharing and learning best practices and balancing global and local needs and impacts.
• Develops annual sourcing performance targets and implements ongoing sourcing programs to meet performance targets. Applies innovative new methodologies to the strategic procurement process. Maintains strong relationship between strategic and tactical groups and creates atmosphere conducive to collaboration, innovation, and success.
• Develop and maintain a high-performance culture, resulting in continued success meeting KPIs and improved levels of customer service to internal and external customers.
• Oversee the Corporate and the Agile Purchasing team. Works with cross-functional affiliate teams to drive purchasing initiatives and improve bottom line performance. This includes participation in RFP’s and initiatives with other AVANGRID businesses as necessary. Centralizes the procurement function for all corporate areas and solicits assistance from subject matter experts, and others within the business, as required.
• Develop and deliver opportunities, best practices, alignment, and drive implementation of strategic procurement initiatives.
• Maintains an advanced and working knowledge of the US and Global Market for services and equipment.
• Oversee the negotiation and awards of multi-faceted, complex, business wide and affiliate specific enterprise contracts to minimize operational, legal, and financial risks. Collaborates with both internal and external legal counsel.
• Coordinates sourcing team efforts and leads the development and execution of the strategic sourcing strategy.
• Represents Avangrid internally and externally as the Executive responsible for everything related to the categories within the span of control of this position. This may include representing the company in Rate Case Hearings and Management Audits.

Skills And Requirements
Education & Experience Required:

• Bachelor’s Degree required in Business Administration or related discipline.
• Master’s Degree Preferred.
• Leader with strong organizational and interpersonal skills.
• Previous experience in the utility industry will be a plus.
• Extensive supplier interaction and negotiation experience.
• Experience performing negotiations, developing, and implementing strategies for the procurement of multimillion dollar projects, equipment, and services.
• Minimum of 10 years of experience in Purchasing sourcing methodology and demonstrated knowledge of corporate-wide business processes and operations with a minimum of 5 years being in a Managerial or Director level role.

Certifications

• C.P.M., C.P.S.M, or equivalent or working toward achievement is strongly desired.

Skills/Abilities

• Strategic mindset with ability to act tactically, as required, towards a longer-term strategic goal.
• Microsoft Office Suites computer skills.
• Ability to drive results from the Corporate and Agile Purchasing teams, Managers, individual contributors, and to be held accountable for the results produced.
• People Management - Ability to manage, lead, and mentor others.
• Demonstrated ability to manage a high degree of complexity and to distill information rapidly.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to lead multifunctional teams including senior level management at local and global levels across the organization.
• Self-sufficient, organized, and capable of working independently in rapidly changing circumstances.
• Effective at producing and summarizing relevant information to influence Top Management review and decision making.
• Strong ability to make decisions based on facts and data.
• Clear commercial focus (i.e., Contract writing, negotiation).
• Ability to handle multiple projects, priorities, and deadlines.
• Strong oral, written, and presentation related communication skills.
• Strong Customer Service Orientation.
• Strong problem-solving skills and able to apply those skills in various unique and demanding situations.

Competencies

• Technical Skills
• Be agile
• Be a role model
• Collaborate and Share
• Empower to grow
• Focus to achieve results
• Develop Self & Others

Our Selection Process
Mobility Information
Please note that any applicant who is not a citizen of the country of the vacancy will be subject to compliance with the applicable immigration requirements to legally work in that country
Avangrid employees may be assigned a system emergency role and in the event of a system emergency, may be required to work outside of their regular schedule/job duties. This is applicable to employees that will work in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, and New York within AVANGRD Network and Corporate functions. This does not include those that will work for Avangrid Renewables