Specialist, Strategic Sourcing Lead

Position Overview

A category leader at Delta Utilities, a leading gas utility provider, is a subject matter expert in sourcing strategies, utilizing market conditions, supplier performance management and contracting. This role will involve optimizing supplier relationships, driving cost savings, ensuring supply chain resilience and contributing to the company’s overall operational efficiency, diversity, and sustainability goals.

The category leader will Provide Supply Chain oversight and leadership to assigned Business Unit or category to ensure solicitation, placement and implementation of contracts are robust and in accordance with Delta Utilities’ Procurement Policy. This role will Collaborate with assigned Business Unit teams to manage contract throughout the life cycle.

As part of a fast-paced environment the category leader must be hands on, adaptable and entrepreneurial. The ideal candidate will be able to balance strategic thinking with day-to-day execution.

Key Responsibilities

• Define and lead overarching category strategies, for high impact, complex or high value categories or projects ensuring alignment with company goals and operational leads.
• Evaluate rates, incentives, and cost structures of contracts to Influence organizational decision making by providing insights on markets trends, supplier innovations and cost drivers.
• Develop sourcing strategies to optimize the supply base and achieve economies of scale.
• Implement supplier relationship frameworks to manage supplier performance, encourage innovation and ensure long term partnerships.
• Lead negotiations and contract development for companywide agreements
• Develop and maintain relationships with stakeholders to ensure SC engagement
• Facilitate supplier’s journey and engagement within Delta Utilities
• Actively promote strong safety behaviors and ensure the team always puts safety first
• Accountable for the development and execution of progressive commercial strategies, with the business functions, in support of objectives to drive value and enable favorable outcomes for all key stakeholders
• Perform Bid–Evaluate–Award activities in line with SC policy and processes
• Manage compliance to contract provisions and administer contract change orders in collaboration with the business unit and the change order process
• Execute contract governance and provide oversight of supplier performance management, including claims management and dispute management/resolution
• Establish and maintain professional relationships with suppliers based on the highest ethical business practices as set forth in the Standards of Conduct and Integrity and Delta Utilities’ Supply Chain Policies
• Leverage purchasing power of aggregated spend, resulting in maximized price, contractual terms and vendor service levels.
• Ensure inclusivity of diverse and local suppliers in alignment with Delta Utilities commitments and the procurement policy
• Contribute to the development and implementation of standard operating procedures for the supply chain team.
• Recommend improvements to streamline workflows and enhance efficiency
  
  

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Business, Accounting, Engineering, Finance or other related discipline and minimum
• 7 years of combined supplier contracting, category management, capital projects, renewable energy, or other related supply chain experience OR in lieu of a degree, minimum 7 years of supplier contracting, capital projects, or other related supply chain experience.
• Minimum 1 years’ energy industry experience in contracting and procurement.
• MBA Preferred
  
  

Skills And Competencies

• Strong analytical and strategic thinking skills
• Proficiency in Category management tools (e.g., SAP, Ariba, Coupa) and Microsoft Office
• Excellent negotiation, communication, and relationship management skills
• Knowledge of gas utility materials, equipment and services is highly desirable.
• Familiarity with regulated environments is desirable
• Knowledge of execution of key performance indicators
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build relationships and influence stakeholders.
  
  

About Delta Utilities

Delta Utilities is a leading utility with a core focus on natural gas distribution. Headquartered in New Orleans, Louisiana, the utility will serve nearly 600,000 customers and become one of the leading natural gas providers in Louisiana and Mississippi, as well as one of the top 40 providers in the United States.

In 2023, Entergy announced that it had entered into an agreement with Delta Utilities to sell its Louisiana gas distribution business. The natural gas utility currently serves more than 200,000 customers across East Baton Rouge and Orleans parishes. In February 2024, Delta Utilities entered into an agreement with CenterPoint Energy to acquire its Louisiana and Mississippi natural gas businesses, which currently serve approximately 381,000 customers. Once the transactions are complete, Entergy's Louisiana natural gas operations and CenterPoint Energy's Louisiana and Mississippi natural gas systems will be operated by Delta Utilities. Learn more: https://deltautilities.com/

Delta Utilities and associated entities are equal-opportunity employers. We do not discriminate against employees or employment applicants on any legally recognized basis or any protected class under federal, state, or local law.