Lead Sourcing Specialist

Duke Energy Corporation; Plainfield (IN); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Duke Energy Corporation in Indiana invites applications for a Lead Sourcing Specialist to drive strategic sourcing initiatives across high‑value spend areas, partnering with project teams and leaders to deliver measurable value.

The role emphasizes supplier negotiations, contract management, cost‑effective operations, and robust supplier relationships, with hybrid work from Plainfield, IN and options for Cincinnati, Charlotte or Raleigh HQ locations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree with 7 years of work experience required.
• Experience in strategic sourcing for high-value categories.
• Strong negotiation and contract management skills.
• Ability to lead cross-functional teams and influence executives.
• Experience with e-sourcing tools and ERP/asset systems.

Responsibilities

• Lead strategic sourcing for high-value categories, including market analysis and supplier negotiations.
• Develop sourcing strategies aligned with project needs, safety, and diversity objectives.
• Oversee contract management, terms, change orders, and performance reviews.
• Partner with project teams and stakeholders to support sourcing and supplier selection.
• Build strong supplier relationships and continuous improvement opportunities.
• Analyze markets, cost drivers, and risks to guide procurement decisions.
• Apply sourcing best practices and external market intelligence.
• Mentor sourcing staff and promote consistent practices.
• Present strategies, risks, and results to leadership and partners.

Skills

Strategic sourcing

Negotiation

Contract management

Supplier relationship management

Cross-functional collaboration

Stakeholder communication

Analytical thinking

Financial acumen

Project management

Education

Bachelor's degree + 7 years experience

Associate's degree + 9 years experience

HS/GED + 11 years experience

Tools

WoodMacKenzie

CAS

Maximo

PowerBI

Microsoft Office

CoPilot / AI tools

Job description

More than a career - a chance to make a difference in people's lives.

Build an exciting, rewarding career with us – help us make a difference for millions of people every day. Consider joining the Duke Energy team, where you'll find a friendly work environment, opportunities for growth and development, recognition for your work, and competitive pay and benefits.

The preferred location for this role is Plainfield, IN, but the selected candidate could also sit in our Cincinnati, Charlotte or Raleigh headquarter locations.

The Lead Sourcing Specialist plays a key role in advancing Duke Energy’s supply chain strategy by leading complex, high-value sourcing initiatives that support safe, reliable, cost-effective operations. This role offers the opportunity to influence enterprise-level sourcing decisions, partner with business leaders and project teams, and deliver measurable value through strong commercial strategy, supplier negotiations, and contract management.

Employees at this level solve complex problems, manage work with minimal supervision, and provide leadership and guidance to others. The successful candidate will develop and execute strategic sourcing plans for assigned categories of spend, assess internal customer needs and supply market conditions, lead competitive sourcing events, negotiate contracts, and institutionalize sourcing strategies that align with business unit requirements and Duke Energy standards. Keys to success include the ability to prioritize competing demands, navigate ambiguity, build consensus across functions, communicate effectively with stakeholders, and deliver actionable results with limited oversight.

Responsibilities

• Lead complex strategic sourcing initiatives for high-value or high-risk categories, including market analysis, sourcing strategy development, competitive events, supplier negotiations, contract award recommendations, and realization of annual savings or value targets.
• Develop and execute sourcing strategies that align with business unit priorities, project requirements, safety expectations, supplier diversity objectives, and broader Supply Chain and corporate initiatives.
• Lead contract management activities, including negotiation of commercial terms, evaluation of change orders, supplier performance discussions, and issue resolution.
• Partner with project management, construction, engineering, project controls, operations, legal, finance, and other stakeholders to support sourcing activities, supplier selection, and contract execution.
• Build and maintain strong supplier relationships, including strategic supplier alliances, performance management routines, market engagement, and continuous improvement opportunities.
• Analyze supply markets, commodity trends, supplier capabilities, cost drivers, diversity opportunities, and emerging risks that may impact future procurement decisions.
• Research and apply sourcing best practices, benchmarking insights, external market intelligence to improve sourcing outcomes and identify innovative opportunities.
• Provide guidance, mentoring, and process support to sourcing personnel while modeling Duke Energy leadership behaviors and promoting consistent sourcing practices.
• Communicate sourcing strategies, recommendations, risks, and results to Supply Chain leadership, cross-functional stakeholders, and executive-level business partners.

Basic/Required Qualifications

• Bachelors degree + 7 years work experience
• In lieu of required degree, Associates degree + 9 years work experience OR HS/GED + 11 years work experience

Desired Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Engineering, Finance, or a related field.
• Master of Business Administration or other advanced degree.
• Certified Professional in Supply Management, Certified Purchasing Manager, Project Management Professional, or similar professional certification.
• Strategic sourcing experience, including development and execution of sourcing strategies for complex, high-value categories of spend.
• Experience preparing market solicitation documents, conducting competitive market events such as RFPs, bids, and alliance negotiations, and measuring resulting cost savings or value.
• Strong negotiation, contract management, supplier relationship management, and supplier performance management experience.
• Experience in electric utility, power generation, engineering, EPC contracting, construction, environmental consulting, combustion products, or related industries.
• Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional teams, influence stakeholders, and communicate effectively with executive management, business partners, and suppliers.
• Strong analytical, financial, business acumen, planning, organizational, oral communication, and written communication skills.
• Experience using e-sourcing tools and ERP or asset management systems, such as WoodMackenzie, CAS, or Maximo.
• Experience using Microsoft office software suite including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, PowerBI and CoPilot or other AI software.
• Ability to work independently, manage ambiguity, prioritize competing work, and deliver results in a fast-paced environment.

Working Conditions

• Hybrid – Work will be performed from both remote and onsite locations after the onboarding period, with a requirement of at least 3 days in the office. However, hybrid employees should live within a reasonable commute to the designated Duke Energy facility. Reliable, consistent transportation is required to ensure timely arrival at the applicable facility.
• Office-based role with plant, project site, and supplier visits as business needs require.

Travel Requirements

• 15-25%

Relocation Assistance Provided (as applicable)

• No

Represented/Union Position

• No

Visa Sponsored Position

• No. This is not a Visa Sponsored Position. This role requires the ability to work lawfully in the U.S. without employment-based immigration sponsorship, now or in the future.

Please note that in order to be considered for this position, you must possess all of the basic/required qualifications.

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