Contracts Agent – SCS Generation

Southern Company; Mount Vernon (AL); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Southern Company is seeking a Contract Agent – SCS Generation to provide daily contracting and sourcing support, including RFPs, negotiations, contract development and risk mitigation, for services and materials.

Based at Energy Center (Birmingham, AL) or Plant Barry (Bucks, AL), you will work with category management strategies and manage 20-25 active projects concurrently while ensuring compliant procurement processes and strong supplier relationships.

Qualifications

• Contract law and drafting of terms and conditions.
• Legal and commercial negotiation skills.
• Self-motivated with minimal supervision and strong relationship skills.
• Ability to manage tight deadlines across multiple projects.
• Excellent written and oral communication for contract terms.

Responsibilities

• Support daily sourcing and contracting activities from RFI/RFP to negotiations and contract closeout.
• Lead sourcing projects and help implement strategic procurement programs.
• Communicate effectively with management at multiple levels.
• Develop sourcing strategy for a range of services with 20–25 active projects.
• Manage vendor relationships and optimize terms to reduce costs.
• Work cross-functionally to streamline processes and mitigate risk.

Skills

Contract law

Negotiation

Sourcing & contracting

Contract drafting

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree preferred

BS in Business/Management/Finance/Law preferred

Formal education in contract language/law preferred

Job description

Contract Agent – SCS Generation

Supply Chain Management Transaction Team

This position will be based at the Energy Center (Birmingham, AL) or Plant Barry (Bucks, AL).

Job Summary

Thisposition 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.

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 approximately 20 - 25 active projects concurrently, with defined turnaround parameters 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 processes 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 & Experience

• Bachelor's degree is preferred
• BS in Business, Management, Finance, or Law is preferred
• Formal education in contract language and law is highly preferred

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Contract law and drafting of terms and conditions (required)
• Legal and commercial negotiation skills (required)
• Self-motivated and ability to work with minimal supervision
• Customer focused 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 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
• 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

Behavioral Attributes

• Must demonstrate behaviors consistent with the Southern Company values
• Self-motivated
• Customer focused
• Strong work ethic
• Exhibits a strong sense of urgency
• Promotes teamwork
• Practices ethical behavior
• Displays creativity, initiative, and flexibility
• Learns from and utilizes experience

About Southern Company

Southern Company (NYSE: SO ) is a leading energy provider serving 9 million 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 solutions provider 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 customers' and communities' needs while advancing our goal of net-zero greenhouse gas 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 has been recognized by a variety of organizations, earning the company awards and recognitions that reflect Our Values and dedication to service. To learn more, visit www.southerncompany.com .

Southern Company invests in the well-being of its employees and their families through a comprehensive total rewards strategy that includes competitive base salary, annual incentive awards for eligible employees and health, welfare and retirement benefits designed to support physical, financial, and emotional/social well-being. This position may also be eligible for additional compensation, such as an incentive program, with the amount of any bonus/awards subject to the terms and conditions of the applicable incentive plan(s). A summary of the benefits offered for this position can be found here https://seo.nlx.org/southernco/pdf/SOCO-Benefits.pdf . Additional and specific details about total compensation and benefits will also be provided during the hiring process.

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: 21785

Job Category: Supply Chain

Job Schedule: Full time

Company: Southern Company Services