Sr. Specialist, Contracts (Ref ID: 522)

ABOUT NEXTDECADE CORPORATION 

NextDecade is committed to providing the world access to reliable, lower carbon energy. We are focused on delivering secure, low-cost, and sustainable energy solutions through the safe and efficient development and operation of natural gas liquefaction and carbon capture and storage infrastructure. Through our subsidiaries, we are developing and constructing the Rio Grande LNG natural gas liquefaction and export facility near Brownsville, Texas, with approximately 48 MTPA of potential liquefaction capacity currently under construction or in development. We are also developing a potential carbon capture and storage project at the facility that is expected to make meaningful impacts toward a lower carbon future. NextDecade’s common stock is listed on the Nasdaq Stock Market under the symbol “NEXT.” NextDecade is headquartered in Houston, Texas. For more information, please visit www.next-decade.com.

SUMMARY OF THE ROLE 

Reporting to the Manager Operations, Supply Chain for Rio Grande LNG, the Sr. Specialist, Contracts will be responsible for managing our contracting and procurement processes within our organization. The role will perform contracting and procurement activities through highly complex professional work, including working with technical specifications, assessing markets, qualifying bidders, bid request preparation, bid evaluation and recommendation for award, procurement process quality assurance, and execution of contract awards in collaboration with NextDecade legal, technical operations and commercial teams. The position is based in Brownsville; however, it may require travel to and from Houston.

• Procurement Strategy:
• Responsible for supporting development, implementation, and execution of procurement strategies to optimize our spend management program costs, availability, and efficiency.
• Responsible for identifying and evaluating potential suppliers, negotiating agreements, and establishing relationships to ensure the availability of quality goods and services.
• Responsible for monitoring market trends and best practices to continually improve business processes.
• Category Management:
• Responsible for supporting the development and implementation of our category strategies to optimize the performance of specific market segmentations and verticals. Upon implementation, the role will be responsible for integrating with the company materials management and logistics (i.e., master data, inventory, warehousing, and multi-modal logistics) plans to support operations.
• Responsible for analyzing market trends, understanding supplier behavior, competitor activities, and stakeholder preferences through market research, industry reports, and data analysis.
• Supplier Management: Build and maintain relationships with suppliers to negotiate favorable terms, pricing, and partnering opportunities.
• Performance Monitoring: Track and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) for assigned categories, such as SLA performance, safety, and credit worthiness, and developing strategies to address emergent issues or capitalize on opportunities.
• Continuous Improvement: Continuously evaluating and refining category management processes and strategies to improve efficiency, effectiveness, and competitiveness.
• Strategic Supplier Relationship Management (SSRM):
• Responsible for supporting development and implementation of the company’s Strategic Supplier Relationship Management (SRM) program, which is essential for building relationships, optimizing our procurement process and ensuring resiliency in our supply chain.
• Relationship Management: Build and foster positive relationships with key suppliers to enhance collaboration and maximize value.
• Performance Management: Conduct regular supplier performance evaluations and implement corrective actions as needed.
• Continuous Improvement: Driving continuous improvement initiatives to streamline procurement operations and enhance supplier diversity.
• Facilitating the company successfully securing the required goods and services.
• Maintaining day-to-day relations with company stakeholders related to procurement demands.
• Supporting Supply Chain negotiations of pricing, payment terms, and delivery schedules.
• Understanding the category plan and prioritizing accordingly critical procurement activities.
• Analysis of alternative procurement strategies, including logistics.
• Developing and maintaining a procurement compliance log and providing weekly and monthly KPI reports.

• Bachelor’s degree in business, Supply Chain, Industrial Engineering, or related field.
• Minimum of 5+ years of experience in contracts and procurement.
• Previous experience with category management, materials management, IT projects, or logistics.
• Previous experience in acquisition of complex services, equipment, and materials.
• Experience managing contractors and suppliers.
• Experience working in a matrixed organization.
• Excellent communication and people skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively cross-functionally.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret data and make strategic recommendations.
• Works well in a dynamic team environment with matrixed objectives.
• Strong understanding of contract law and procurement principles.
• Knowledge of industry trends, market dynamics, and supplier behavior.
• Proficiency in contract management and procurement software.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and other data analysis tools.
• Excellent negotiation, communication, and people skills.
• Strategic thinking and problem-solving abilities.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and other data analysis tools.
• Minimal travel to be expected, mostly to the NextDecade headquarters located in Houston, Texas.

• Supply Chain certifications such as CPSM, CCCM, CPCM, CSCP, MCIPS or other relevant certifications preferred.
• Ability to be approved for Transportation Worker Identification Credentials (TWIC).

Job Site Work Environment 

·  Must be able to wear all necessary PPE equipment to perform job functions. 

·  Operates in a complex construction environment. 

·   Exposure to indoor and outdoor weather conditions. 

·   Not necessarily protected from weather and temperature changes. Possible exposure to hot, cold, wet, humid, or windy weather conditions. 

·   Exposure to moving mechanical parts and electrical circuits. 

·   Exposure to constant or intermittent sounds of a pitch level sufficient to cause marked distraction. 

·   Routinely uses standard office and field communications equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers w/scanner and fax, and radios. 

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to support individuals with ADA-recognized disabilities to perform the essential functions for the job.

·  Ability to drive to other Company work locations as required. 

·   Ability to move throughout all areas of the facility, including being physically capable of traveling to a designed muster point during emergency situations.  

·   Stand and/or sit continuously and perform job functions for a full shift. 

·   The incumbent is required to have fully mechanical motion and usage of all extremities. 

·   Physically able to walk, stand, bend, stoop, kneel, reach, twist, lift, push, pull, climb, balance, crouch, handle, and lift items weighing up to 20 lbs. without assistance. 

·   Visual acuity corrected to perform job functions. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus. 

·   Must be able to clearly communicate with others via radio, phone, and verbal methods.  

·   May be required to enter confined spaces. 

·   May be required to work at elevated heights and access elevated structures without assistance. 

If you require accommodations during the application or interview process, please contact Human Resources at recruiting@next-decade.com.

Other Duties 

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice. 

*In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification document form upon hire.

NEXTDECADE VALUES

·   Safety – We make safety a priority. Everything we do relies on the safety of our people and the communities around us.

·   Integrity – We do the right thing, and are open, ethical, and fair. We hold ourselves to the highest standards in all that we do.

·   Honesty – We value truth and honesty in ourselves and others. We honor our commitments and take responsibility for our actions.

·   Respect – We listen, and respect people, the environment, and the communities in which we live and work.

·   Transparency – Transparency builds trust. We promote open communication with our people, our customers, and all our stakeholders.

·   Diversity – We value diversity of people and thought. It takes people with different strengths, ideas, and cultural backgrounds to make our company succeed.

NextDecadeprovides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all applicants without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty, or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws. NextDecadecomplies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities.