Job Details

Entry Level Procurement Specialist

Location: Hammond, LA
Workplace Flexibility: Hybrid (3 office days a week, relocation required outside area)
Relocation Assistance: None
Number of Openings: 1

Job Purpose

The Central Procurement Specialist I is responsible for procuring materials and goods to meet business demands using advanced supply chain and purchasing knowledge. The role operates autonomously, executing progressively more complex scopes of work while ensuring compliance with Entergy policies, procedures, and core values.

Key Responsibilities

• Promote and maintain safety behaviors within the team.
• Utilize tools and proactive field visits to assure standards and behaviors.
• Monitor suppliers to proactively identify safety concerns.
• Perform storm role duties through the Storm Assignment Management System (SAMS) and/or the Nuclear Emergency Response Organization (ERO).
• Apply principles of plan, strategize, source, and perform to each request.
• Process Request for Quotations (RFQ) and coordinate specifications, material descriptions, schedules, and quality/quantity requirements.
• Resolve invoice mismatches for over, short, damaged, or discrepant issues.
• Identify and evaluate new and current sources of supply, including diverse suppliers.
• Work with Legal and Tax to ensure deviations from standard purchase order language are within risk tolerance and approved.
• Create Purchase Orders, track status, and expedite when required.
• Ensure Nuclear Safety Related suppliers are active and approved on the Quality Supplier List (QSL).
• Ensure material review by Engineering personnel for site and regulatory compliance.
• Deliver and document savings through competitive bidding (RFQs), direct negotiations, cost avoidance, etc.
• Execute thorough purchase order documentation for issuance to suppliers.
• Ensure favorable terms and conditions aligned with Procurement Procedures.
• Develop and maintain stakeholder relationships to proactively address material needs.
• Establish and maintain professional supplier relationships based on highest ethical business practices.
• Act as Central Procurement Group point of contact with stakeholders and suppliers.
• Maintain open communications between suppliers, stakeholders, and within SC to provide prompt, accurate, and complete information.

Minimum Requirements

Education, Experience, or Certification: Bachelors degree in supply chain, business, accounting, engineering, legal, or related discipline OR a minimum of 4 years of combined material purchasing, supplier contracting, vendor management, or related experience.

Preferred: Prior procurement experience in support of the energy industry.

Required Knowledge and Skills

Technical

• Working proficiency with Entergys computer systems and platforms (Microsoft 365, IBM Maximo, IBM Maximo MRO Inventory Optimization).
• Advanced understanding and application of Entergys procurement and payment guidelines.
• Proficient in interpreting policies, procedures, governance, and delegations of authority (DOA) and external laws and regulations.
• Knowledge of commercial management processes (plan, strategy, source, perform) including supplier diversity and safety metrics.
• Advanced ability to perform buying actions for complex purchase orders and deep understanding of all buying options.
• Deep knowledge of materials purchasing guidelines across enterprise fleet (Nuclear, Power Gen.).
• Advanced knowledge of end?to?end purchasing process from requisition to PO placement, confirmation, modification, and close out.
• Skillful negotiation strategies and concepts to support supplier commercial negotiations.
• Basic knowledge of market conditions and competitive insights derivation.
• Proficient in resolving invoice exceptions and escalating special analysis.
• Skillful practice of source?to?settle electronic platform/system to complete purchasing activities.
• Strong relationship management between clients, vendors, and third parties for PO activities.
• High proficiency in document management and control standards.
• Deep understanding of opportunities to improve business performance.
• Legal basis of contractual requirements for materials contracts.

Professional

• Project management principles to ensure systematic completion of each assignment.
• Commercial skills and financial acumen to understand key business drivers and impact.
• Data analysis methods to provide detailed reports and insights.
• Ability to coach other supply chain personnel in technical tools and techniques.
• Effective stakeholder communication and influencing skills.
• Strong relationship building and networking with stakeholders and suppliers.
• Strong cost management understanding.
• Excellent communication skills in presenting concise information.

Preferred Licenses or Certifications

SC Certification from an industry accreditation organization such as CPSM, APICS, etc.

Equal Opportunity & EEO Statement

An Equal Opportunity Employer, Minority/Female/Disability/Vets. The Entergy System of Companies provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty, or status as a protected veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws.