Associate Planner Buyer / Planner Buyer

Xcel Energy (NASDAQ: XEL) is a leading energy provider and Fortune 500 company, dedicated to serving millions of electricity and natural gas customers across eight states: Minnesota, Colorado, Wisconsin, Michigan, North Dakota, South Dakota, New Mexico and Texas. We make energy work better for our customers, helping them thrive every day. That means always raising the bar - delivering better service and providing more reliable, resilient, and sustainable energy.

Xcel Energy is a place where you'll have opportunities to grow, expand your skills, and help lead the clean energy transition. We offer meaningful rewards, recognition, and support to help you build your career and make an impact - both on the job and beyond. Most importantly, it means you'll be joining a company that knows employees are the driving force behind its success and is committed to helping you be your best.

Xcel Energy supports a hybrid work model to enable collaboration and flexibility. Many roles are expected to work onsite three days per week (Tuesday-Thursday); however, work location expectations vary based on role, team, and business needs.

This position can be filled at either the Associate level or Planner Buyer level. Candidates will be aligned to the appropriate level based on qualifications.

Associate Planner Buyer ($58,700-$79,767)

Position Summary

Coordinate materials/services procurement and fulfillment activities. Develop and implement local procurement strategies to achieve cost, schedule, and quality goals. Achieve inventory management, scheduling coordination, supplier management, and process improvement objectives. Support Planning and Purchasing organization as required.

Essential Responsibilities

• REQUISITIONS: Analyze materials/services requisitions to determine if fulfillment exists or is needed from Sourcing department. Process requisitions in ERP system in alignment with established procedures. Utilize master agreements and ensure material/service fulfillment aligns with category strategy. Receive mentorship and guidance from Planner Buyers and Sr Planner Buyers.

• BIDDING/AWARD PROCESS: Develop RFX bid packages for category buys and projects, with mentorship from Planner Buyers or Sr Planner Buyers. Assist with bid evaluation, analysis, and supplier selection. Identify spend/savings opportunities and assist with the development of Purchase Orders and contracts with approved suppliers in line with category strategy. Analyze and interpret statistical data.

• CONTRACTING: Partner with Planner Buyer/BU in PO/contract execution, creation, review, analysis, and supplier performance tracking. Represent company interests with suppliers/contractors during terms and conditions negotiations. Advise business in problem solving. Resolve or escalate issues to Sr. Planner Buyer or Supervisor.

• BUSINESS PARTNER RELATIONSHIPS: Develop relationships with BU partners to ensure understanding of business process. Ensure supply needs and field location questions are met. Facilitate communication between suppliers, BU partners, and Supply Chain staff. Collaborate with suppliers to mitigate construction risk for late materials. Manage logistics of job site deliveries. Basic understanding of use, form, fit, and function of materials. Train BU partners on Supply Chain processes as needed.

• SUPPLIER RELATIONSHIPS: Develop supplier relationships and provide timely response to questions. Utilize reporting tools and analysis to support material delivery, disposition, and returns. Monitor supplier activities and collaborate with Planning & Purchasing to improve the supplier relationship. May contribute to formal supplier performance meetings and lead continuous improvement efforts.

• SOURCING STRATEGY: Ensure adherence to sourcing policies, procedures, and maintenance of documentation and records. Drive demand to existing master agreements when possible.

• MATERIAL/DELIVERY MANAGEMENT: Partner with logistics staff and ensure efficient use of inventory and critical direct ship items. Monitor status of material orders/service contracts and expedite deliveries to meet schedule commitments.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, technical/analytical field, or related field or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Excellent problem solving, organizational, teamwork, and communication skills.
• Up to 10% travel; driver's license required.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and ERP systems.

Preferred Qualifications

• Preferred: one year of Supply Chain related experience.

• Basic contract knowledge, negotiation, and project management skills preferred.

• Experience working with computer information systems, databases, reporting tools, or ERP platforms in a business environment preferred.

• Experience in plant or utility operations preferred.

• Certified Professional in Supply Management (CPSM) or equivalent preferred.

Planner Buyer ($64,100-$90,967)

Position Summary

Execute and coordinate material/service procurement & fulfillment activities. Implement procurement strategies to achieve cost, schedule, and quality goals. Support and align with inventory management, scheduling coordination, supplier performance management, and process improvement objectives. Lead material/service procurement issues resolution, negotiate Supplier/customer disputes, and address performance issues.

Essential Responsibilities

• PROJECT MANAGEMENT: Proficient in end-to-end Supply Chain concepts and processes, from Work Order (WO) reviews through all aspects of procurement processing in ERP.
• BUSINESS PARTNER RELATIONSHIPS: Work with BU to ensure early demand visibility of planned projects and communicates sourcing & category strategy. Lead cross-functional teams for specific procurement events. Ensure BU understands risks for materials, equipment, and services supply continuity. Negotiate material delivery strategy, including date and time. Demonstrate basic understanding of use, form, fit, and function of materials. Train BU partners on Supply Chain processes as required.
• MATERIALS & SERVICES COORDINATION: Ensure material/service fulfillment requirements are met through Supply Chain processes. Ensure flow of demand to inventory, master agreements, and other purchase transactions are handled correctly. Execute POs accurately and in a timely manner.
• SOURCING STRATEGY & PRACTICE: Participate in sourcing strategy development in collaboration with sourcing, BU, and category teams. Ensure adherence to sourcing best practices, policies, and procedures. Drive demand to existing master agreements when possible. Manage materials delivery/pickup for large projects.
• BIDDING/AWARD PROCESS: Manage RFX bid packages for regional category buys and small projects, utilizing Category Plan and approved Suppliers as per Sourcing Strategy. Lead bid evaluation, analysis, and supplier selection. Identify spend/savings opportunities with category manager and develop contracts or agreements with key suppliers. Analyze and interpret statistical data.
• CONTRACTING: Partner with BU for contract review, analysis, and supplier performance/compliance tracking. Represent company interests during negotiations with suppliers/contractors. Resolve or escalate issues to Category Manager and escalate legal exceptions to General Counsel.
• SUPPLIER/CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIPS: Develop supplier relationships and provide timely response to questions, concerns, and issues. Use reporting tools and analysis for material delivery, disposition, returns, and issue resolution. Monitor supplier activities and collaborate with category manager/customers to improve relationship. May contribute to formal supplier performance meetings and lead continuous improvement efforts.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, technical/analytical field, or related field or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Two years of purchasing, logistics, or other relevant supply chain experience.
• Contract and purchasing knowledge required.
• Strong interpersonal and collaboration skills.
• Up to 10% travel; driver's license required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Procurement planning, negotiation, sourcing, and supplier relationships experience preferred.

• Experience in plant or utility operations preferred.

• Experience working with computer information systems, databases, reporting tools, or ERP platforms in a business environment preferred.

• Certified Professional in Supply Management (CPSM) or equivalent preferred.

Our culture is grounded in shared values and employee commitments that guide how we work, support one another, and grow together.

Our Values

Connected, Committed, Trustworthy, Safe

Our Employee Commitments

• Work that makes a difference
• A team you can count of
• Opportunities to grow
• Rewards that help you thrive

Xcel Energy provides job applicants reasonable accommodations for disabilities throughout the application process. If you are in need of an accommodation to complete the application process, now or at any time in the future, please complete the Applicant Accommodation Request Form.

Non-Bargaining

The anticipated starting base pay for this position is: $58,700.00 to $90,967.00 per year

This position is eligible for the following benefits: Annual Incentive Program, Medical/Pharmacy Plan, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, Dependent Care Reimbursement Account, Health Care Reimbursement Account, Health Savings Account (HSA) (if enrolled in eligible health plan), Limited-Purpose FSA (if enrolled in eligible health plan and HSA), Transportation Reimbursement Account, Short-term disability (STD), Long-term disability (LTD), Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Fitness Center Reimbursement (if enrolled in eligible health plan), Tuition reimbursement, Transit programs, Employee recognition program, Pension, 401(k) plan, Paid time off (PTO), Holidays, Volunteer Paid Time Off (VPTO), Parental Leave

Benefit plans are subject to change and Xcel Energy has the right to end, suspend, or amend any of its plans, at any time, in whole or in part.

In any materials you submit, you may redact or remove age-identifying information including but not limited to dates of school attendance and graduation. You will not be penalized for redacting or removing this information.

Deadline to Apply: 09/30/26

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Xcel Energy endeavors to make https://www.xcelenergy.com and https://jobs.xcelenergy.com accessible to any and all users. If you are in need of an accommodation to complete the application process, now or at any time in the future, please complete the Applicant Accommodation Request Form. For any other application related questions, including application follow-ups or technical issues, please use our Recruiting Assistance, Electra, for assistance. Electra can be found in the lower right-hand corner of our Xcel Energy Careers site.