IT Planner​/Buyer

Base pay range

$86,500.00/yr – $/yr

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.

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 develop 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.

• 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/4
  
  HANA, 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.

• 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.

• 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.
• 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.

• 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…