Procurement Specialist Jobs in Tennessee

Requisition ID: 110000

Share Our Purpose. Be Yourself. Feel Valued.

People are the heart of our business. As an American Water employee, you will be offered a competitive salary and health benefits package, along with opportunities to develop, grow, and evolve your career. Our benefits packages focus on key areas such as health & wellness, emotional & well-being, and savings for current & future goals.

We are Beautifully Different. We strongly believe having diversity across our company makes us more successful and helps us provide essential services to our customers. We are stronger because we embrace different ideas, viewpoints, experiences, and backgrounds. American Water is the best choice for your next role! Click here for more information on our inclusion, diversity, and equity journey.

About American Water

American Water (NYSE: AWK) is the largest regulated water and wastewater utility company in the United States. With a history dating back to 1886 and celebrating 140 years in 2026, We Keep Life Flowing® by providing safe, clean, reliable and affordable drinking water and wastewater services to approximately 14 million people with regulated operations in 14 states and on 18 military installations. American Water’s approximately 7,000 talented professionals leverage their significant expertise and the company’s national size and scale to achieve excellent outcomes for the benefit of customers, employees, investors and other stakeholders.

Primary Role

The buyer position manages the sourcing of goods, services, and projects while continuously identifying and implementing opportunities to lower total cost of ownership. Activities include participating in cross-functional project teams and executing sourcing strategies.

Key Accountabilities

• Prepare, assist and develop bid packages, statement of work documents, and requests (RFP/RFI) according to specifications and business requirements. Develop and execute sourcing strategies from project identification through close-out including alternative sourcing options.
• Establish and maintain productive relationships with Engineering Center of Excellence and Operations management.
• Support business with all commercial needs including dispute resolution and contract interpretation.
• Analyze project specific detail on relevant costs related to projects such as labor, material, equipment, and overheads to facilitate sourcing decisions.
• Build and maintain Supplier/Contractor relationships with the objective of reducing total costs, increasing productivity, and eliminating inefficiencies in the supply chain.
• Measure compliance to and effectiveness of unit-cost and other framework agreements.
• Support Company risk management objectives in areas such as safety insurance requirements, and supplier depth.
• Support Supplier Diversity strategies.
• Identify and recommend sustainability options to the business.

Knowledge/Skills

• Analytical problem solving skills to produce best product/service at lowest total cost of ownership within required time frames.
• Business acumen to analyze commercial business, procurement issues and risk management issues with continuous improvement mindset.
• Knowledge of sourcing strategies, and methodologies related to service and construction procurement.
• Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in written presentation form.
• Ability work in a collaborative team environment within Supply Chain and stakeholders.
• Knowledge of SAP (Preferred).
• Extensive knowledge and experience in Microsoft Office Products Knowledge and ability to utilize e procurement tools effectively.

Experience/Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Supply Chain, Finance, Engineering or related disciplines or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• CPSM (Certified Professional in Supply Management) or CPM (Certified Purchasing Manager) a plus.
• Minimum 4 years’ total work experience. Minimum 2 years’ experience in procurement or in category management.

Travel Requirements

Travel Required 10-20%.

Competencies

Champions safety
Customer obsessed
Cultivates innovation
Nimble learning
Drives Results
Collaborates

Join American Water... We Keep Life Flowing™

American Water is firmly committed to Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) and prohibits employment discrimination for employees and applicants based on his or her age, race, color, pregnancy, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, marital status, citizenship, or because they are an individual with a disability, protected veteran or other status protected by federal, state, and local laws.