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Position Summary

The Lead Sourcing Specialist is a strategic role responsible for developing and executing sourcing strategies, cultivating trusted business unit partner relationships, and navigating complex market dynamics. This individual will lead cross-functional initiatives, build compelling business cases, and present recommendations to senior leadership with minimal supervision. Success in this role requires thought leadership, the ability to challenge conventional practices, and the development of scalable processes and governance. The ideal candidate will operate independently, collaborate across organizational boundaries, and communicate effectively at all levels to drive results. A strong foundation in business operations, legal frameworks, and risk assessment is essential to lead total cost of ownership evaluations and optimize sourcing outcomes. This role demands deep supply chain experience, strong business acumen and the agility to support diverse categories across the enterprise.

Responsibilities

+ Category Management. Leads, develops, coordinates and execute enterprise and regional (short and long term) strategic sourcing strategies with key business partners for complex/high value/ high risk equipment, materials, and/or services, which maximize value to Duke Energy, while managing overall risk. Identify and anticipate Business Unit demand and needs, issues, and cost reduction opportunities. Have an understanding of SWOT analysis for each assigned category, spend identification, and total cost of ownership. Identify and assess short- and long-term risks. Ensure alignment with internal SME parties to ensure risk is controlled through collaboration with the Legal, Security, Tax, and Credit departments when necessary. Maintain knowledge of commodities, sources of supply, corporate responsibility opportunities, industry leading practices, and market conditions that may impact future procurement. Utilize procurement tool and grid/relays for documentation/retention of category plans. Applies an enterprise-wide focus to management of the category and influences sourcing strategies beyond business unit silos. Develop automated and analytical solutions for more efficient outcomes. Utilize procurement tool and grid/relays for documentation/retention of category plans. Identify and implement opportunities for Artificial Intelligence (AI) in order to automate processes.

+ Strategy Development. Develops sourcing strategies for complex, high­ value materials, equipment or services including the execution of regional and/or enterprise-wide initiatives.

+ Strategy Execution. Research best practices successfully adopted by other industries and companies. Understands how to use benchmarking and/or other outside resources. Demonstrates knowledge of other industry practices. Develops strategies to align with Corporate and Supply Chain initiatives to include but not limited to safety, corporate responsibility, savings, and value. Creates strategies and utilizes supply chain processes to lead competitive bidding processes, lead the objective criteria based bid evaluation with a cross-functional group, recommend award to Supply Chain and Business Unit Leadership, develop appropriate terms and conditions, negotiate strategic contracts, integrate contracts with internal systems, and manage ongoing supplier/contract management and day-to-day support when issues arise (such as mismatches billing or shipment issues).

+ Negotiation. Utilizes data-driven decision making to implement effective strategic sourcing strategies, thus enabling better terms with suppliers and identification of cost-saving opportunities. Develops “should cost models” that will calculate an estimated price by researching all material costs, labor costs, overhead costs, and profit margins that would apply to sourced products and services. Performs analysis of historical spending patterns, pricing fluctuations, and market trends and indices. Calculates impacts to net working capital and uses outcomes to impact deal structure. Negotiates with upper-level management of suppliers and manufacturers. Demonstrates advanced understanding of Duke Energy contractual terms and conditions. Drives cost avoidance and cost savings through supplier negotiations and/or the identification and implementation of process efficiencies. Negotiates pricing, discounts, value, or other competitive differentiators based on market research analysis and delivers on annual savings targets.

+ Risk and Financial Analysis. Maintains knowledge of commodities, sources of supply, services, corporate responsibility opportunities and market conditions that may impact future strategies. Effectively communicates with the Business Unit and other executive leadership and committees (e.g., TRC) on risks related to the transaction and provides potential opportunities for risk mitigation. Reviews financial statements (income statement and balance sheet) to determine the financial viability of prospective suppliers. Identifies risks in contractual terms and conditions and deal structures and communicates to business unit partners appropriately.

+ Legal Terms and Conditions. Applies in-depth knowledge, redlines, and negotiates complex legal issues, commercial business, and sourcing expertise to lead the delivery of favorable contractual outcomes. Rarely will engages legal but will if necessary for advanced issues.

+ Change Management. Proactively identifies how sourcing strategies may impact key stakeholders and provides input to change management strategies in partnership with cross-functional teams to ensure successful implementation.

+ Relationship Management. Develops and manages supplier relationships at a strategic level. Builds and nurtures excellent client relationships, including executive level business interfaces. Provides guidance to Supply Chain leadership as well as cross functional sourcing initiatives. Manages post award supplier activities, settlements, claims or disputes. Performs purchase order and agreement maintenance including invoice mismatches, prices changes, amendments, change orders, etc. Collaborates with business unit partners to ensure contract terms are being met and supplier performance is appropriately monitored and measured. Resolves escalated issues between BU and Supplier, as necessary. Consistently reviews supplier impacts at an enterprise level to understand best ways to leverage strategic suppliers.

+ Leadership. Mentors and assist in the development of sourcing personnel, processes, and procedures.

Additional Preferred Qualifications

+ Graduate Degree

+ C.P.M. (Certified Purchasing Manager), CPSM (Certified Professional in Supply Management) certification, or CSCP (Certified Supply Chain Professional)

+ Strong working knowledge of electric utility plant operations and related customer operations

+ Strategic Sourcing experience in leading large (>$25M) sourcing initiatives

+ Experience in managing high value and strategic supplier relationships.

+ Demonstrated interpersonal, leadership, team building including frequent interface with cross functional teams and executive management.

+ Contract management skills

Working Conditions

+ Hybrid Mobility Classification – Work will be performed from both remote and onsite locations after the onboarding period. However, hybrid employees should live within a reasonable daily commute to a Duke Energy facility.

+ 15% to 25% travel

+ Office setting

+ Some travel for plant and vendor visits, conferences, visits to other Duke Energy facilities and territories

Required/Basic Qualifications

+ Bachelor's degree

+ 7 years related work experience

+ In lieu of Bachelor's degree(s) AND 7 year(s) related work experience listed above, High School/GED AND 11 year(s) related work experience

Desired Qualifications

+ Certified Purchasing Manager and/or Certified Professional in Supply Management

Travel Requirements

Relocation Assistance Provided (as applicable) No

Represented/Union Position No

Visa Sponsored Position No

Posting Expiration Date

Monday, October 20, 2025

All job postings expire at 12:01 AM on the posting expiration date.

Please note that in order to be considered for this position, you must possess all of the basic/required qualifications.

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