Manager, Supplier Inclusion

JOB SUMMARY 

The purpose of this position is to provide leadership to the Supplier Inclusion team at Southern Company Gas; to develop, implement and monitor all aspects of Supplier Inclusion for the LDCs including facilitating interactions with external organizations and suppliers and integrating supplier inclusion strategies into the overall category management and sourcing strategies for the organization. Incumbent will lead growth and enhancement of the Supplier Inclusion strategy focused on the “moving to racial equity” initiative and establish clear linkage between inclusion strategies and operating company strategies with a local focus on execution of those strategies. This position will lead the Supplier Business Development Program (BDP) and the Diverse Business Partnership (DBP) programs which develops and mentors small and diverse businesses for Southern Company. This position will also sit on regional, and local advocacy group boards to drive the strategies around supplier inclusion. The incumbent will represent the CEOs of operating companies at specific statewide or local events associated with inclusion initiatives. The incumbent will interface with executives to develop and communicate the overall strategy for their operating company and/or business unit. This position will report to the General Manager, Supplier Inclusion.

JOB REQUIREMENTS 

Education

Required: Bachelor's degree in business management, finance, supply chain, supplier inclusion, statistics, engineering, construction, or related field Preferred: MBA; Six Sigma, P.E., or Project Management certification 

Experience

Minimum 5+ years management experience, including experience leading people, performing, and utilizing analytics to influence decisions and drive business results. Minimum 5-7 years of experience specifically in Supply Chain, Engineering, Construction or Related 

Operations Capacity

5+ years demonstrated ability to work across multiple departments and business verticals Demonstrated ability to form and maintain relationships and alliances with multiple business unit personnel Demonstrated strategic thinking and ability to influence internal leaders in support of supplier inclusion goals and objectives. Strong presentation skills with an ability to deliver to a wide variety of audiences including senior leadership, key external stakeholders, and business leaders. • Advanced business development skills, including experience establishing, developing, and maintaining relationships with diverse suppliers, advocacy organizations and internal partners 

Knowledge and Skills

Previous supervisory skills over staff, major projects, or initiatives desired Strong business acumen Proven analytical skills to evaluate metrics, perform data analysis and market research Must be able to demonstrate effective communication (both verbal and written) skills with the ability to interface with customers, engineers, suppliers, and executives, at all levels Advanced project management and organizational skills Excellent relationship building skills (internal and external customers as well as suppliers) Must have strong sourcing, negotiation, and supplier management skills Must demonstrate strong internal customer focus and commitment to customer value Committed to and familiar with principles of diversity and equity Ability to perform tasks and jobs in a virtual environment to collaboratively work on projects  and meet goals and expectations Proficient in Excel, Word, Outlook, and PowerPoint, GEP and Maximo Must be a change agent with the ability to weigh and balance competing priorities Outgoing and engaging Self-starter Strategic thinker 

KEY JOB RESPONSIBILITIES 

Functional Expertise:

Establish clear linkage between diversity strategies, sourcing strategies, operating company, and business unit strategies. Develop and enhance relationships with strategic diverse suppliers. Direct the planning, organization and participation of supplier inclusion and other company personnel to diversity events. Support the development and execution of the enterprise wide Supplier Inclusion strategy, initiatives, policies, and procedures that ensure alignment with Southern Company Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Strategy and compliance with governing Federal laws and requirements. Maintain personal networks and participate as a board member in professional organizations and advocacy groups relating to diversity suppliers. Understand on a high level the Southern Company contracts manual; specifically, sole-sourcing, Tier II language, and negotiation requirements 

Business Acumen:

Accountable for growth and enhancement of the Supplier Inclusion strategy for Southern Company. Responsible for executing strategy to influence policy at the state level regarding regulation in the realm of supplier and business diversity. Develop and recommend policies to support Supplier inclusion. Manage the supplier inclusion business development program and diverse business partnership program with participating diverse companies across the Southern Company system with engagement monthly, including evaluating and executing on opportunities for continuous improvement. The program will include, but not limited to, training for diverse suppliers around marketing, accounting, safety, and supplier financing. Responsible for the remediation plan for diverse suppliers that are not successful in the execution of contracted work activities. 

Engagement:

Coordinate Supply Chain Management diversity initiatives with the Supplier Sustainability team and other Southern Company business segments. Participate and assume a leadership role in the planning of in-house supplier events. Encourage and facilitate increased utilization of small business & MWVBE suppliers by assisting strategic sourcing and category management teams with the identification of eligible and capable diverse suppliers for procurement opportunities. Maintains and improves relationships with community-based organizations, regulatory leaders, and key stakeholders to gain support for regulatory initiatives  Develop and manage relationships with diverse businesses and advocacy organizations assuming responsibility for the overall success of those relationships.  Represent the company and its representative business units at national, regional, and local supplier inclusion events and actively participates on industry committees and/or industry groups sponsored by national and regional supplier inclusion organizations that the company sponsors. Conduct Supplier Inclusion training to leadership, supply chain staff, external stakeholders, and suppliers. Responsible for managing the reporting process including working with all divisions in establishing and maintaining reporting guidelines; launching a supplier inclusion score card; assisting with goal measurements and implementation strategy. Lead the Tier II program where prime contractors are introduced to small and diverse companies for partnerships to perform work for Southern Company Provide oversight in developing a demand planning schedule (approximately for the next 5-years) for major projects across the system and generate a deliverable highlighting the Supplier inclusion strategy for that business unit 

Driving Results:

Develop and monitor progress on Supplier inclusion goals. Report on Supplier inclusion metrics to key operating company executives and prepare and file ad-hoc, monthly and annual reports that document program spend, compliance and progress toward enterprise-wide goals to the federal government on behalf of the operating companies Leads cross functional teams to ensure all supplier inclusion goals are met. Evaluate existing and future supplier agreements and incorporate terms and conditions that ensure Diverse  Supplier participation on a subcontracting level. Develop and maintain Supplier inclusion performance reporting in accordance with any governmental agency requirements. Prepare and administer budget according to plan. Monitor budget variances. Provide explanations on variances and takes appropriate action. Responsible for the monitoring and reporting supplier scorecards or performance metrics and the regular reporting of such performance, deficiencies, or variances. Manages staff selection, development, and retention. Establishes and monitors work goals and objectives. Coaches staff, provides feedback, and evaluates performance.