Buyer

The Buyer role is a temporary position responsible for leading and managing procurement activities within an organization, with 10 to 15 years of experience required. This position is pivotal in overseeing the procurement process, including strategic sourcing, contract negotiation, and supplier management, ensuring cost-effective and timely acquisition of goods and services.

• Develop and execute procurement strategies aligned with the organization's goals, budget, and operational needs.
• Lead the strategic sourcing process by identifying potential suppliers, conducting market research, and evaluating supplier capabilities.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with key suppliers, monitor supplier performance, address issues, and collaborate to improve quality, cost, and delivery.
• Lead negotiations with suppliers to secure favorable terms and conditions, including price, quality, payment terms, and delivery schedules.
• Supervise and mentor procurement staff, delegating tasks, and providing guidance to foster a collaborative and high-performance procurement team.
• Oversee the creation and management of purchase orders, ensuring accuracy and compliance with company policies and industry standards.
• Continuously seek opportunities to reduce procurement costs, conduct cost analysis, and optimize processes while maintaining or improving quality.
• Stay up-to-date on market trends, industry developments, and pricing fluctuations, using this knowledge to make informed procurement decisions.
• Collaborate with other departments to manage inventory levels, prevent stockouts, and maintain efficient supply chain operations.
• Manage supplier contracts, including renewals, modifications, and compliance with terms and conditions. Ensure all contractual obligations are met.
• Oversee quality assurance efforts, ensuring that purchased products or services meet established quality standards and regulatory requirements.
• Promote sustainability and responsible sourcing by considering environmental and ethical factors in procurement decisions.
• Ensure compliance with all legal and regulatory requirements, as well as internal procurement policies and procedures.
• Conduct in-depth cost analysis to identify cost-saving opportunities and provide regular reports to management.
• Develop and implement risk mitigation strategies related to procurement activities, including contingency plans for potential supply chain disruptions.

• 10 to 15 years of experience in procurement or related roles, including a track record of progressively responsible positions in procurement management.
• Strong knowledge of purchasing and supply chain practices and standards.
• General knowledge of finance and accounting practices.
• Strong analytical skills, communication skills, and negotiating skills.
• Ability to interact with business unit personnel and suppliers.
• Ability to handle multiple transactions while under time constraints.
• Strict adherence to Procurement Procedures and documentation requirements.
• Proficiency in procurement software and tools, as well as expertise in enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems.

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Law, Finance, Supply Chain preferred.
• Certified Purchasing Manager (CPM); Certified Professional in Supply Management (CPSM); Certified Professional Contract Manager (CPCM) is a plus.
• Knowledge of Uniform Commercial Code.
• Strong knowledge of generation, power delivery, gas and corporate equipment and materials is desired.
• Strong knowledge of IBM’s Enterprise Resource Planning system is desired.
• Working knowledge of Word, Excel, and databases is required.
• General knowledge of business practices associated with procurement, such as budgeting, traffic/logistics, contracts, engineering, risk management, accounting, and legal.

The position is based at CHQ013 - The Energy Center, providing an opportunity to get a foot in the door with Alabama's largest IOU.

This is a Contract position based out of Birmingham, AL.

The pay range for this position is $37.00 - $45.00/hr.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: • Medical, dental & vision • Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital • 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available • Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) • Short and long-term disability • Health Spending Account (HSA) • Transportation benefits • Employee Assistance Program • Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

This is a fully onsite position in Birmingham,AL.

This position is anticipated to close on Feb 27, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 30,000 consultants and more than 4,500 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing due to a disability, please email actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com for other accommodation options.