Category Buyer

The Senior Buyer is responsible for the timely and efficient procurement of equipment, materials, supplies, and services in accordance with established category strategies. This position requires a broad-based knowledge of the sourcing and procurement process, including facilitating the RFP process, developing and using supplier evaluation criteria, conducting negotiations, managing the life cycle of contracts and purchase orders.

• Leading and supporting sourcing activities across all spend categories
• Coordinating with internal stakeholders and category teams to gather business and technical requirements (statement of work) to facilitate the sourcing process
• Conducting market analysis to select suppliers based upon business value and need
• Supporting and promoting Vistra's Supplier Diversity program through outreach and supplier development activities
• Collaborating with key stakeholders as primary site contact for category teams

• Conducting supplier negotiations, including negotiation of commercial and legal terms
• Drafting and authoring Contracts and Master Service Agreements (MSA's) to support the purchase of goods and services
• Managing contract documents on an on-going basis, including expirations, renewals, statement of work (SOW) revisions, change orders, and amendments

• Processing purchase requests and issuing purchase orders within Vistra's procure-to-pay platform(s)
• Tracking timeliness of at-power and outage related purchase requests and ensuring updated status reporting to site and company reporting
• Driving for cost savings in the process and optimization of spend for Purchase Orders
• Driving for invoice timely payment and working with work groups to ensure funding of future Purchase Orders
• Communicating effectively with suppliers using expediting skills as needed to ensure timely delivery of goods and services
• Ensuring contractors performing high-risk services are pre-qualified and compliant with safety and insurance requirements
• Working with other work groups (Engineering, Warehouse, Maintenance, etc.) within the procurement process to provide efficient, accurate, and timely procurements
• Resolving or escalating any vendor disputes or issues as necessary

• 3 years of relevant procurement/contracting experience (Power plant experience is preferred - can be included as relevant experience)
• Understanding and awareness of sourcing, contract management, and the importance of managing suppliers to drive compliance and performance
• Basic awareness of financial concepts and terminology, category management principles, and the associated benefits of category strategies
• Solid understanding of the sourcing process; ability to lead a lower complexity sourcing event from identifying potential suppliers, through bid, negotiation, and award, recognizing diverse supplier opportunities where possible
• Ability to effectively understand and conduct basic negotiations and recognize when escalation is necessary for resolution
• Practitioner with demonstrated ability to process and manage purchase orders, support e-commerce transactions, and effectively manage issues and stakeholders to guarantee policy, process, and contract compliance
• Understanding of legal risks and practical effects of contract terms and conditions; ability to negotiate red lines of common commercial terms, and recognize when incremental contract language is necessary to manage risk
• Demonstrated awareness of the importance of project management process
• Ability to effectively interact with internal and external stakeholders, providing a high level of customer service while supporting departmental goals and the corporate vision, mission, and strategy
• Aptitude to mentor peers or other personnel on procurement processes, policies, and practices
• High school diploma or equivalent
• Experience gained through college degree programs and/or certifications is applicable to above skills and experience

• Timely and efficient procurement of materials, supplies, and services
• Accountable for the creation of real value through management of bid events and supplier negotiations
• Maintain accurate data in contracting and purchasing systems
• Manage contract expirations and renewals
• Timely escalation and resolution of issues and disputes