Contracts Administrator-Procurement, Sr.

Tallgrass was named one of the 2023 Top Workplaces USA and highlighted in Colorado's Top Workplaces for the past seven consecutive years. 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.

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
• Parental Leave
• 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
• Generous Tuition Reimbursement Program
• Company-paid holidays and floating holidays
• Company vehicle (if applicable)
• Employee discounts; vehicles, tires, cellular plans, and more
• Networking and employee engagement events
• Personal development to grow your career with us based on your strengths and interests

Primary purpose:

Responsible for enabling, facilitating, and collaborating across Procurement, Legal, and other key stakeholder groups to ensure the efficient and effective issuance of procurement contracts that meet Company standards. Responsible for 1) drafting, reviewing, and negotiating contracts; and 2) developing and ensuring compliance with Procurement contract standards, guidelines, and best practices.

Essential duties and responsibilities:

• Primary focus will be on stakeholder engagement, coordinating with Legal team, contract authoring and negotiation, advising/coaching team members, contract management, developing contract standards, guidelines, and best practices, as well as the execution and delivery of ongoing contract requirements.
• Ensure contracts are executed on time to meet stakeholder requirements.
• Act as an advisor for all contract activities.
• Coach and consult across the Procurement team to ensure contract language is appropriate and contract requirements are successfully executed on time.
• Actively manage the status of outstanding contracts.
• Communicate with key stakeholders the legal and commercial risks associated with contracts.
• Devise logical approaches and suggestions to address complex contracting issues.
• Negotiate contract terms within the framework of Procurement's authority and responsibility.
• Work with Legal to escalate and obtain approvals for non-standard contract terms in compliance with Company policies.
• Ensure stakeholders comply with Procurement and Legal contracting standards.
• Collaborate with key stakeholders to effectively manage our contract portfolio.
• Manage contract performance. Monitor KPIs for contracting.
• Manage multiple projects in fast paced team environment.
• Adhere to company policies, procedures, guidelines, record retention, and delegation of authority.
• Support team members to effectively develop, negotiate, and execute contract requirements for the procurement of goods and services.
• Act as a subject matter expert across the entire contract lifecycle.
• Review supplier redlines, interpret the impact of proposed changes, approve changes, or provide alternative language, and lead/assist team members with the negotiation of key contract clauses and commercial terms and conditions.
• Manage open agreements to ensure contracts are completed in an expeditious manner.
• Act as a liaison between Procurement, Legal, stakeholders and suppliers during contract negotiation and execution to ensure that queue time is minimized.
• Interpret internal and external business issues and recommend best practices.
• Advise internal functions of contractual rights and obligations.
• Request or approve amendments to contract terms or contract extensions.
• Interface with internal functions to evaluate contract compliance.

• Ensure there is a proper business case, risk management and compliance components in place for each contract.
• Execute material purchase orders and work directives against agreements, without direction.

• Work independently to effectively manage tasks and meet commitments.
• Promote Procurement services throughout the organization.
• Support stakeholders to help achieve key organizational goals.
• Develop and maintain a positive working relationship with internal and external stakeholders.
• Engage with a broad range of stakeholders with tact, courtesy, and professionalism.
• Communicate clearly, both in person and virtually, using a high level of communication and active listening skills.
• Maintain a regular, dependable attendance and a consistently high level of performance.
• Will work non-traditional hours as needed.
• Maintain a high regard for personal safety, for the safety of company assets and employees, and the public.
• Other daily, weekly, monthly, or special project duties as identified and defined.

Minimum requirements:

Education:

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution in Supply Chain Management, Business, Engineering, Accounting, or a related discipline.
• A minimum of five (5) years of relevant direct work experience may be considered as a substitute for a degree.

Experience/Specific Knowledge:

• A minimum of five (5) years direct work experience in Procurement authoring contracts and negotiating both commercial and legal T&Cs.

• Advanced/expert understanding of contract law, terms, and conditions.
• Must be familiar with energy industry-related services, commodities, risk structure and contracting practices.

• Intermediate proficiency level in MS Office applications, including Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Outlook.

• Must be familiar with energy industry related services, commodities, risk structure and contracting practices.

• Job level commensurate with experience and skill sets; position will be filled depending on qualifications, experience and skill sets of the successful candidate.

Certifications, Licenses & Registrations:

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

Competencies, Skills & Abilities:

• 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 training in both large group settings and one-on-one.
• Ability to work independently and within an organization to manage tasks and timelines.
• Ability to identify expectations in an employee/employer relationship.
• Strong analytical, organizational, coaching, reasoning, problem solving and conflict resolutions skills.
• Ability to utilize a strategic approach for planning and problem solving, with a "continuous improvement" mindset.
• Strong customer service qualities including 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.
• Ability to work cooperatively and effectively with others and maintain confidentiality when appropriate.
• Ability to maintain a measurable high level of performance.
• Strong interpersonal, negotiation, listening and presentation skills.
• Ability to identify value generating opportunities.

• Self-motivated with the ability to successfully manage multiple tasks, organize and prioritize work to meet strict deadlines, and to work with minimal direct supervision.
• Ability to organize, schedule and prioritize workload to meet various schedules and objectives on short notice.
• Ability to resolve conflict in a win-win manner.
• Exceptional team member. Must be able to work with a team, take direction from management, adhere to required work schedules, focus attention on details, and follow work rules.
• Must be able to perform all essential and marginal functions of the job.

Physical Demands:

All 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 25 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:

• May be required to carry a cell 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.

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

Supervisory Responsibility:

• No
  
  

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

Above the minimum requirements, the following are not required but are advantageous in this position:

• A minimum of three (3) years of energy industry contracting experience working for an owner.

• Experience using Oracle ERP Cloud software.
• Experience with CLM applications.

• One or more or the following Certifications preferred: CPSM; CPCM; CPM.
• Experience negotiating and drafting SASS agreements.

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