What are the responsibilities and job description for the Buyer (Intermediate) position at PPL Services Corporation?
Company Summary Statement : As one of the largest investor-owned utility companies in the United States, PPL Corporation (NYSE: PPL), is committed to creating long-term, sustainable value for our 3.5 million customers, our shareowners and the communities we serve. Our high-performing regulated utilities — PPL Electric Utilities, Louisville Gas and Electric, Kentucky Utilities and Rhode Island Energy — provide an outstanding experience for our customers, consistently ranking among the best utilities in the nation. PPL’s companies are also addressing challenges head-on by investing in new infrastructure and technology that is creating a smarter, more reliable and resilient energy grid. We are committed to doing our part to advance a cleaner energy future and drive innovation that enables us to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 while maintaining energy reliability and affordability for the customers and communities we serve. PPL is a positive force in the cities and towns where we do business, providing support for programs and organizations that empower the success of future generations by helping to build and maintain strong, diverse communities today. Overview:
This position will report in person on a hybrid schedule and can be based out of PPL's corporate offices located in Louisville, KY or Allentown, PA
Responsibilities:
This position is responsible for procuring materials and services in support of one or more Electric Transmission and Distribution, Gas, Corporate and IT departments at an intermediate level. This position will also engage in efforts to optimize process efficiencies and consistency in the consolidation of procurement functions across the PPL operating companies in different jurisdiction into the desired combined company approach for systems and processes. In addition, this position may administer contracts, drive continuous improvement initiatives with internal stakeholders, and may help manage SOX compliance programs. This position also provides support and tactical administration for multiple supply chain processes and systems used to support the cost control and standardization efforts of the operational business line teams in Kentucky, Pennsylvania and Rhode Island focused on alignment and collaboration with similar functions in the other locations. This position works independently with minimal supervision. Position requires familiarity and compliance with the Company purchasing guidelines and policies. Position provides guidance to Associate Buyers and may assist Category Managers on more complex transactions.
This position will report in person on a hybrid schedule and can be based out of PPL's corporate offices located in Louisville, KY or Allentown, PA
- Review client procurement requisitions for completeness and process into purchase orders.
- Solicit bids through formal request for quotations or request for proposal competitive processes, including evaluation and analysis of bids, and preparation of formal written recommendations, for procurement of critical materials and services of moderate complexity.
- Coordinate and negotiate with suppliers, accounts payable, and internal stakeholders in resolving issues associated with specific purchases or projects, expediting orders, price discrepancies, warranty claims, and the return or cancellation of purchase orders.
- Coordinate the logistics (receiving, handling, inspecting, delivery etc.) of capital/project/non-stock material in conjunction with the conjunction with the project manager/engineer, etc., delivered either to the site warehouse or job site.
- Update pricing on blanket purchase orders as required.
- Coordinate with the accounts payable team in resolving issues associated with invoice and payment processing as they occur. Identifies and resolves invoice holds and bottlenecks to ensure that work management schedules are not impacted. This includes direct interaction with internal business proponents.
- Identify new sources of supply, establish/maintain professional relationships with suppliers/partners, based on the highest ethical business practices as set forth in the Standards of Conduct and Integrity and PPL's Supply Chain Polices.
- Work with Supply Chain to add or delete suppliers in the corporate database, including expansion of the Company’s diverse and disadvantaged suppliers. Participate in Company sponsored or sanctioned networking events.
- Possess a thorough understanding of purchase order terms and conditions with the ability to negotiate basic to intermediate level agreements, freight terms, and rental agreements, with assistance as needed from management and/or legal.
- May be assigned an emergency and storm restoration role. This is a special assignment that comes into play during storms and other emergencies when the company needs to restore power or gas or respond to other issues affecting customer service. This role may necessitate the need to work after-hours, outside of your normal schedule.
- Participates in Supplier Relationship Management activities and facilitates timely and relevant information sharing between external suppliers and internal business proponents and leaders.
- Ensure procurements follow all applicable company policies and adhere to SOX requirements.
- Performs other duties as assigned by management.
Basic Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree and a minimum of three years’ supply chain experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience on a year-for-year basis, is required.
- Experience using ERP, procurement, or work management systems.
- Valid driver’s license.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with warehousing, inventory, and generation systems and processes preferred, as well as good working knowledge of Microsoft Office applications such as Word, Excel, Outlook,, and other company systems.
- Must become current on and comply with the corporate purchasing guidelines and policies.
- Analytical and detail oriented; comfortable with moderate levels of ambiguity; basic financial analysis skills; good communication (written, oral and listening), time management, and people skills.
- Experience working in ERP systems.
Work Conditions
Normal office environment. Hybrid in-office/remote position. This position will be based in Allentown, PA or Louisville, KY with the expectation of 3 days in-office
