Director-Procurement

Tallgrass is a leading energy infrastructure company focused on safely, reliably, and sustainably delivering the energy and services that power our nation and enable our quality of life. Tallgrass has been recognized consistently over the last eight years as a Top Workplace. We proudly promote Tallgrass as a Top Workplace as we continue to build and nurture an inclusive and rewarding environment.

At Tallgrass, we value our teams and strive to create an environment where employees feel respected, and their contributions are valued. We aim to support employees' physical, mental, and financial well-being through a comprehensive Total Rewards Program.

• Industry competitive pay

• Health insurance package options that include Flexible Spending & Health Savings Accounts

• Infertility Coverage

• 401(k) with up to a 6% match that vests immediately plus an employer discretionary contribution of up to 4%

• Wellness Programs and Mental Health Resources

• Employer-paid life insurance, short-term disability, and long-term disability coverage

• Critical Illness & Accident Insurance

• Vacation, sick days, paid caregiver leave, volunteer and bereavement paid time off

• Identity theft protection

• Annual discretionary bonus

• Long-Term Incentive Program

• Generous Tuition Reimbursement Program

• Company-paid holidays and floating holidays

• Company vehicle (if applicable)

• Employee discounts; vehicles, tires, cellular plans, and more

• Career pathing, development programs, and internship programs

• This role is eligible for a Hybrid work schedule

PRIMARY PURPOSE:

The primary purpose of the Project Procurement Director role is to serve as the critical link between the projects and procurement departments, ensuring seamless coordination and efficient execution of all procurement activities related to major capital projects. This involves implementing sourcing strategies, supporting supplier relationships, supporting the overseen of projects inventory and surplus management, ensuring compliance with company policies and regulatory requirements. Ultimately supporting company's goals of quality, cost control, and timely delivery of materials and services.

PROCUREMENT MANAGER JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Provide guidance and leadership to the Projects Team, ensuring proper training and sharing of best practices for responsible and efficient Projects-Procurement activities.

• Manage personnel matters, including performance-based feedback, support, work assignments, and necessary administrative tasks.

• Foster a positive and open work environment, promoting systems approaches and disciplined execution of all assigned tasks.

• Support and communicate to project managers the sourcing strategies to ensure quality, cost savings, and timely delivery of materials and services to support the enterprise.

• Maintain knowledge of market conditions that may impact the company, keeping abreast of trends and their potential impacts on growth and maintenance initiatives.

• Evaluate departmental processes and performance, taking action to address issues or concerns.

• Communicate regularly with Management on departmental projects, goals, and objectives.

• Establish and monitor performance requirements and goals, ensuring teams meet expectations and compliance guidelines.

• Collaborate with Internal Audit to manage compliance with company policies and regulatory requirements.

• Support sourcing strategies with suppliers to foster relations and partnerships that optimize their performance.

• Ensure standard terms and conditions and contract templates are maintained and utilized, incorporating legal, risk, and contractor assessments.

• Support complex negotiations or provide guidance on agreements and supplier relationships to secure the company's best interests.

• Collaborate on overseeing physical inventory management, including purchase, audit, and policy compliance.

• Facilitate the identification, valuation, and disposition of projects surplus materials, ensuring proper authorization and accounting for proceeds and capital management.

• Promote and facilitate procurement participation in project status meetings with Project Management, Engineering, and Operations.

• Collaborate on the development and maintenance of Engineering Standards and the Approved Manufacturer List (AML).

• Develop and maintain departmental information management processes and sites (e.g., SharePoint), ensuring ongoing improvements through evaluation and systematic review.

• Oversee key technology systems used by the Procurement and Projects departments

• Implement the Oracle Projects Module to standardize project administration and ensure adoption by project managers.

• Lead digital transformation initiatives within the procurement department to leverage new technologies and improve efficiency.

• Ensure all stakeholders, especially the procurement department, have visibility into projects procurement plans, including materials/services, budgets, and timelines.

• Report to stakeholders and maintain control over capital-projects spending.

• Take full responsibility for the expeditors team to meet project-related needs promptly.

• Lead the implementation, kickoff, and dissemination of procurement-project processes across the board, ensuring adherence to agreed procedures by project managers.

• Provide support and guidance to requisitioners requiring materials or services for projects, ensuring they follow organizational guidelines.

• Maintain regular, dependable attendance and consistently high performance.

• Be prepared to work non-traditional hours as needed.

• Develop and maintain positive working relationships with internal and external customers.

• Uphold a high regard for personal safety, company assets, employee safety, and public safety.

• Perform other duties as identified and defined.

JOB REQUIREMENTS:

Minimum requirements:

Education:

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution in Business, Finance, Accounting, Engineering, or a related discipline.
• A minimum 10 years direct work experience in Projects and Procurement may be considered as a substitute for a degree.

Experience/Specific Knowledge:

• A minimum of ten (10) years' active and direct work experience in Projects Management and Procurement.

• Solid knowledge of financial terms and principles.

• Intermediate proficiency with Microsoft applications (including but not limited to Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint) for the purpose of word processing, spreadsheets and information retrieval.

• Strong reading, listening and analytical skills and logical thought processes, with the ability to identify and resolve complex issues/problems.

• Ability to successfully organize and perform multiple tasks simultaneously, frequently under strict deadlines.

• Ability to analyze events at the transaction level, and apply sound and consistent resolutions to such events.

• Ability to write routine reports and correspondence.

• Past experience working on projects from a procurement, project controls, and/or project management perspective preferred

Certifications, Licenses & Registrations:

• Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license and a driving record satisfactory to the company and its insurers.

Competencies, Skills & Abilities:

• Must be familiar with industry-related commodities such as pipe/valve/fittings, compression, and instrumentation/measurement equipment.

• Demonstrated excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to communicate with a variety of individuals and personalities at all levels internally and externally.

• Demonstrated experience in training both in large group settings and one-on-one.

• Ability to work independently to manage tasks and timelines.

• Ability to successfully perform the required and expected duties with minimal direct supervision, organize and prioritize daily work, and consistently take initiative.

• Ability to identify expectations in an employee/employer relationship.

• Analytical, organizational, supervisory, reasoning, problem-solving, and conflict resolution skills.

• Utilize a strategic approach for planning and problem solving, with a "continuous improvement" mindset.

• Ability to mentor and lead personnel with tasks and organizational goals and objectives.

• Strong customer service qualities including a positive attitude, sense of urgency, and "can-do" disposition.

• Ability to quickly change direction in a fast-paced environment while effectively communicating within the organization.

• Work cooperatively and effectively with others and maintain confidentiality when appropriate.

• Ability to maintain a measurable high level of performance.

• Ability to successfully perform multiple tasks with strict deadlines.

• Proficiency in project management methodologies and tools to effectively plan, execute, and close projects.

• Experience in budget management, resource allocation, and risk management within project environments.

• Familiarity with project management software (e.g., MS Project, Primavera, Oracle PM) and procurement systems (e.g., Oracle, SAP).

• Ability to leverage data analytics for decision-making and performance improvement.

• Experience leading change management efforts to adapt to evolving business needs and market conditions.

• Ability to train and support staff through changes in processes, systems, and organizational structures.

• Participation in the company's strategic planning processes, providing insights and recommendations from a procurement perspective.

• Commitment to developing and promoting supplier diversity programs and fostering an inclusive work environment.

• Lead digital transformation initiatives within the procurement department to leverage new technologies and improve efficiency.

• Ability to deal with a wide variety of people with tact, courtesy, and professionalism.

• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely (verbal and written) in person, by telephone, and in email and listen carefully.

• Maintain a regular, dependable attendance and a consistently high level of performance.

• Must be able to work with a team, take direction from management, focus attention on details, follow work rules, and adhere to established work schedules.

• Must be able to perform all essential and marginal functions of the job.

• May be required to work non-traditional hours as needed.

Physical Demands:

All of the physical requirements listed below are those that may be necessary for an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Sitting; standing; walking or moving throughout facility; driving; talking; seeing (specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus); hearing; feeling; bending or stooping; squatting or crouching; reaching; kneeling; pushing; pulling; lifting up to 40 lbs.

• Minimal safety hazards; general office working conditions.

• Must be able to sit for prolonged periods of time.

• The employee is regularly required to use hands to type, touch, handle, or feel. The employee is required to talk and hear. The employee is frequently required to stand and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to walk and climb or balance. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.

Working Conditions:

• Required to carry a mobile phone and be available to respond during working and non-working hours.

• Occasional overnight travel and weekend travel may be required.

• May be required to work nights and weekends, or non-traditional work hours as needed.

• Successful candidate will be required to clear a drug screen and a complete background check, including a credit report, after an offer has been extended and prior to being employed.

Supervisory Responsibility:

• Yes

PREFERRED EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, CERTIFICATIONS, COMPETENCIES, SKILLS, & ABILITIES:

Above the minimum requirements; not required but advantageous in this position:

• One or more or the following Certifications preferred: C.P.M.; C.P.C.M.; C.S.C.P.; C.P.S.M.; C.P.P.

• Experience using Oracle ERP Cloud software

Other responsibilities:

The above statements describe the general nature and level of work being performed. This position may perform other duties as assigned.

Tallgrass is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified applicants are considered for positions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, citizenship status, marital status, medical condition, physical or mental disability or any other legally protected status. EOE/M/F/D/V