Contracts Agent I, II, or Senior

JOB SUMMARY This position will provide daily contracting and sourcing support (request for proposal, negotiations, contract development, risk mitigation, tracking, analysis) to meet the acquisition needs for services and materials.
This position will also work closely with our category management strategies in support of contracting requirements.
This position may be filled as Contracts Agent I (GSE04), II (GSE05), or Senior (GSE06).
Individuals who demonstrate advanced skills in terms of work experience, education, and certifications may be eligible for the more advanced position.
The work schedule for the role is a hybrid model.
Employees are required to come into the office three (3) days per week.
This position can sit in our Atlanta, GA or Naperville, IL or Brimingham, AL locations.
JOB RESPONSIBILITIES Duties will include the daily support of all sourcing & contracting activities "from cradle to grave", including advising customers on Request for Information (RFI) and Request for Proposal (RFP) preparation, lead pre-bid meetings, review of offers upon receipt from bidders, cost & price analysis, negotiations, risk assessment, preparing contract documents and agreements; assists in contract administration, incorporation of changes, expediting & follow-up, disposition of claims, and contract closeout.
Duties will require leading sourcing projects, assisting in developing and implementing strategic programs for the procurement of Equipment and Services.
Expectations include outstanding oral and written communications with ability to excel in high-level communications with Management at multiple levels.
Develop the sourcing strategy for low to high-risk services.
A typical agent will support (20 - 25) active projects concurrently with defined turnaround parameters (Target Days) for all contract related documents (RFPs, Master Agreements, Non-Disclosure, Amendments, Statements of Work, etc.
) throughout the year.
Manage relationships with the company’s vendors and ensure efficient and transparent contracting and negotiation process to reduce costs, improve commercial terms and reduce duplication of efforts.
Work cross functionally to improve and streamline processes.
Ensure that overall risk is properly controlled and mitigated.
Develop a detailed knowledge of the Southern Company and Operating Company procurement policies/procedures and have the capability to become a Subject Matter Expert (SME).
Expected to build and maintain a detailed knowledge and understanding of essential legal provisions, contract common law, contract formation issues, data security issues, remedies, liquidated damages, litigation avoidance, and dispute resolution.
Ensure all required terms and conditions are included in procurement documents and work with legal, risk management and financial services (accounting) to resolve contractor exceptions and issues in a timely manner.
Draft contract language, including special conditions for complex, non-standard purchases.
Identify and evaluate new sources of supply, domestic and globally, when necessary to meet customer needs, including performing market research and analysis.
Build and maintain a fundamental to proficient knowledge of our contracting systems utilized in daily support.
Conflict Resolution, the ability to engage and fix identified issues.
Maintain the primary interface with contractors in an ethical and respectful manner while protecting the company's interests.
JOB QUALIFICATIONS Education: Bachelor’s degree highly preferred.
Concentrations in Business, Management, Finance, or Law is preferred.
Experience: Experience in contract sourcing and development, including direct experience with negotiating contract terms and conditions for services contracts strongly preferred.
Utility, natural gas or other energy industry experience is preferred.
Experience in contract drafting, contract language and law is preferred.
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities: Must have basic to intermediate knowledge and understanding of contracts, contract preparation and negotiation.
Contract law and drafting of terms and conditions (preferred).
Legal and commercial negotiation skills (preferred).
Thorough understanding of contract procurement and administration controls.
Must be able to negotiate contracts that maximize business financial results, minimize business risk, and achieve internal client satisfaction.
Self-motivated and ability to work with minimal supervision.
Strong customer focus with ability to build and maintain relationships with internal customers, suppliers, contractors and other key stakeholders.
Effectively handle tight deadlines, large workloads, and multiple projects with positive enthusiasm.
Superior written and oral communication, to successfully negotiate contract terms and write such contracts in a clear, logical and concise manner.
Candidate must have the ability and determination to support multiple projects under tight deadlines.
Candidate must have effective influencing and consensus-building skills.
Strategic focus on problem-solving.
Excellent organizational skills are required to plan and manage assigned workload and customer expectations effectively to meet internal business unit requirements.
Ability to think strategically and apply broad seasoned judgment to decisions.
Highly Effective Communications skills.
Strong Customer Service skills.
Analytical and interpersonal skills.
Ability to effectively work and participate in cross-functional and cross-company teams at all levels in the organization to ensure buy-in by multiple companies when working on system projects.
Knowledge of company structure and organizations with general understanding of business unit operations.
Excellent problem solving and organizational skills required.
Attention to detail is critical.
Southern Company Gas provides for the energy needs of over four million U.
S.
households and businesses.
As the largest natural gas-only distribution company in the United States, we're working to ensure that Americans have access to a supply of clean, safe, reliable and affordable natural gas for decades to come.
We offer our customers a wide range of energy services under one umbrella: seven regulated utilities as well as non-regulated businesses that offer retail, wholesale and storage services.
Southern Company (NYSE: SO) is a leading energy provider serving 9 million residential and commercial customers across the Southeast and beyond through its family of companies.
Providing clean, safe, reliable and affordable energy with excellent service is our mission.
The company has electric operating companies in three states, natural gas distribution companies in four states, a competitive generation company, a leading distributed energy infrastructure company with national capabilities, a fiber optics network, and telecommunications services.
Through an industry-leading commitment to innovation, resilience, and sustainability, we are taking action to meet our customers’ and communities’ needs while advancing our commitment to net zero emissions by 2050.
Our uncompromising values ensure we put the needs of those we serve at the center of everything we do and are the key to our sustained success.
We are transforming energy into economic, environmental and social progress for tomorrow.
Our corporate culture and hiring practices have earned the company national awards and recognition from numerous organizations, including Forbes, Military Times, DiversityInc, Black Enterprise, J.
D.
Power, Fortune, Human Rights Campaign and more.
To learn more, visit www.
southerncompany.
com.
Southern Company is an equal opportunity employer where an applicant's qualifications are considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other basis prohibited by law.
Job Identification: 4222 Job Category: CIS/MDM QA Analyst Job Schedule: Full time Company: Atlanta Gas Light