Director of Supply Chain & Administrative Operations

Essential Utilities, Inc. delivers safe, clean, reliable services that improve quality of life for individuals, families, and entire communities.

Operating as the Aqua (water and wastewater services) and the Peoples and Delta (natural gas) brands, Essential serves approximately 5.5 million people across 10 states. We are committed to sustainable growth, operational excellence, a superior customer experience, and premier employer status - including a competitive and comprehensive benefits package as well as a commitment to career growth opportunities.

We are advocates for the communities we serve and are dedicated stewards of natural lands, protecting more than 7,600 acres of forests and other habitats throughout our footprint.

Our company is one of the most significant publicly traded water, wastewater service and natural gas providers in the U.S.

Are you looking for a fantastic career at Essential? We have a great opportunity for an Director of Supply Chain & Administrative Operations. 

As a premier infrastructure company, Essential Utilities offers a wide array of exciting and challenging career opportunities that support our mission to provide natural resources for life.  We seek a talented, skilled and diverse workforce that values teamwork as well as a steadfast commitment to our customers and to the environment.  Our two utilities, Aqua and Peoples, provide water, wastewater and natural gas services that families and businesses rely on in their everyday lives.

The Director of Supply Chain & Administrative Operations is a strategic leadership role reporting to the Chief Administrative Officer which oversees all aspects of supply chain, materials management, accounts payable, facilities and physical security functions. This includes direct oversight of all strategic planning, supplier management, strategic sourcing, category management, inventory management, spend analytics, demand planning, materials management, invoice processing, vendor management, facilities governance and oversight of physical security strategy.  This position particularly with a focus on AP (Accounts Payable) and Facilities, oversees the entire supply chain process, including purchasing, inventory, and logistics, ensuring efficient operations and cost-effectiveness, while also managing the AP function and facilities-related activities. 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES:

Overall

• Develop, implement and maintain strategic plans for purchasing, procurement, inventory, materials management, accounts payable, facilities, and physical security.
• Partner with company stakeholders across the organization to design, implement and execute standard processes for purchasing, procurement, inventory management, invoice processing, facilities management and physical security.
• Manage a non-union and small union workforce.  Responsible for team organizational design, performance management, employee development and succession planning, all in accordance with applicable HR policies and procedures.
• Instill an energized work environment, fostering an atmosphere that enables employee trust, collaboration and engagement.
• Inspire confidence and motivate others to perform at their best.  Develop and coach staff while effectively addressing performance issues.  
• Prepare and manage capital and operating budgets for each area of responsibility, handling variance reporting and forecasting throughout the year.
• Build, monitor and report on key performance indicators (KPIs) to senior management and organization.
• Assist with other tasks or projects as assigned.

Supply Chain/Inventory/Materials Management

• Lead and mentor a cross-functional team of managers and staff across multiple locations and lines of business.
• Negotiate contracts and manage relationships with key suppliers and vendors.
• Cultivate and manage supply vendor relationships to ensure cost-effective and reliable supply.
• Oversee inventory data and processes, ensuring efficient and accurate tracking of materials.
• Develop and implement strategy to capture supply discounts to ensure maximum profitability.
• Collaboratively develop sourcing strategies, both long and short term, to support Supply Chain initiatives.
• Monitor and analyze supply chain performance, identifying areas for improvement.
• Instill collaboration across entire procure-to-pay value stream and implement efficiencies in procurement, goods receipt a