Supply Chain Operational Buyer Professional Co-Op/Intern (Summer 2027)

FirstEnergy Corp.; Akron (OH); Hybrid; USD 25,000 - 33,000; Full time

Job summary

FirstEnergy is seeking a Supply Chain Operational Buyer Intern in Akron, OH, with some remote option on select days per policy. The program offers on‑the‑job training, mentorship, and projects spanning day‑to‑day purchasing, supplier coordination, and data analytics.

Participants will explore strategic sourcing, contract management, and process improvement while developing professional procurement skills through hands‑on assignments.

Qualifications

• Currently enrolled in a Bachelor’s program in Supply Chain Management or related field.
• Minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA.
• Must have a graduation date not earlier than May 2028.
• Authorization to work in the U.S. without current or future sponsorship.
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to follow detailed processes while identifying and resolving issues.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint); experience with data analysis or procurement systems is a plus.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, particularly Excel, Word, and PowerPoint; exposure to data analysis, ERP, or procurement systems is a plus but not required.
• A proactive and curious mindset with a willingness to learn, ask questions, solve problems, and build professional relationships.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills with the ability to communicate effectively with team members, business partners, and suppliers.
• Ability to gather, organize, and analyze information and communicate findings clearly to others.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, follow established processes, and maintain strong attention to detail.
• Strong analytical, critical-thinking, and problem-solving skills.
• Strong teamwork orientation with a commitment to workplace safety.

Responsibilities

• Assist with processing purchasing requests and supplier coordination.
• Create and maintain purchase orders, including supporting PO issuance, change orders, cancellations, and other purchasing transactions in accordance with established processes and policies.
• Work directly with suppliers and internal partners to obtain information, clarify requirements, resolve purchasing issues, and support the timely delivery of materials and services.
• Support high-volume procurement activities while developing an understanding of purchasing policies, approval requirements, documentation standards, and procurement best practices.
• Assist with supplier-related issues involving purchase orders, pricing, delivery requirements, documentation, invoicing, and other transactional discrepancies.
• Utilize procurement and enterprise systems to process purchasing activities, research transactions, maintain accurate records, and support day‑to‑day Operational Buying activities.
• Review purchasing data and reports to identify open items, exceptions, trends, and opportunities to improve procurement efficiency.
• Help identify opportunities to utilize existing contracts and preferred suppliers when fulfilling business requirements, supporting compliance and procurement efficiency.
• Support process improvement initiatives focused on simplifying purchasing activities, improving data quality, reducing manual work, strengthening compliance, and improving the internal stakeholder experience.
• Gain exposure to sourcing and category management activities, including competitive bidding, supplier evaluations, bid analysis, market research, and supplier strategy.
• Support Contract Lifecycle Management activities, including contract administration, documentation management, and compliance tracking.
• Conduct business research and data analysis and developing reports, presentations, and recommendations for Supply Chain team members and leadership.
• Collaborating across Supply Chain and other business functions to better understand how procurement supports business operations and organizational objectives.

Skills

Organizational skills

Communication

Analytical thinking

MS Office proficiency

Data analysis

Problem-solving

Multi-tasking

Education

Bachelor’s in Supply Chain Management or related field

Tools

Microsoft Excel

ERP systems

Job description

FirstEnergy at a Glance

We are a forward-thinking electric utility powered by a diverse team of employees committed to making customers’ lives brighter, the environment better and our communities stronger.

FirstEnergy (NYSE: FE) is dedicated to safety, reliability and operational excellence. Headquartered in Akron, Ohio, FirstEnergy includes one of the nation's largest investor-owned electric systems, more than 24,500 miles of transmission lines that connect the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions, and a regulated generating fleet with a total capacity of 3,780 megawatts.

Job Description

This is an open position with FirstEnergy Service Co. a subsidiary of FirstEnergy Corp. [SC00]

Work location is Akron, OH with the opportunity to work remote on either Monday or Friday each week per company policy. The Summer 2027 session will take place from May 17 th , 2027 – August 20 th , 2027.

As a participant in the Co-op/Intern Professional Development Program, you will be cultivating professional skills and perform professional level work at FirstEnergy. Each participant will receive on-the-job training, mentoring, experiential learning and challenging assignments to refine skills and round out competencies.

As a Supply Chain Operational Buyer Intern at FirstEnergy, you will gain hands‑on experience supporting the day‑to‑day procurement of materials and services needed across the organization. Working alongside Operational Buyers and other Supply Chain professionals, you will help process purchasing requests, coordinate with suppliers and internal stakeholders, resolve procurement issues, and support timely and accurate purchasing activities.

In addition to core operational buying responsibilities, you will have opportunities to gain exposure to strategic sourcing, category management, contract management, data analytics, and supply chain process improvement.

As a Supply Chain Operational Buyer Intern you may participate in the following functions

• Supporting the procurement of materials and services by reviewing purchase requests, validating required information, and helping ensure requests are processed accurately and efficiently.
• Creating and maintaining purchase orders, including supporting PO issuance, change orders, cancellations, and other purchasing transactions in accordance with established processes and policies.
• Working directly with suppliers and internal business partners to obtain information, clarify requirements, resolve purchasing issues, and support the timely delivery of materials and services.
• Supporting high-volume procurement activities while developing an understanding of purchasing policies, approval requirements, documentation standards, and procurement best practices.
• Assisting with supplier-related issues involving purchase orders, pricing, delivery requirements, documentation, invoicing, and other transactional discrepancies.
• Utilizing procurement and enterprise systems to process purchasing activities, research transactions, maintain accurate records, and support day‑to‑day Operational Buying activities.
• Reviewing purchasing data and reports to identify open items, exceptions, trends, and opportunities to improve procurement efficiency.
• Helping identify opportunities to utilize existing contracts and preferred suppliers when fulfilling business requirements, supporting compliance and procurement efficiency.
• Supporting process improvement initiatives focused on simplifying purchasing activities, improving data quality, reducing manual work, strengthening compliance, and improving the internal stakeholder experience.
• Gaining exposure to sourcing and category management activities, including competitive bidding, supplier evaluations, bid analysis, market research, and supplier strategy.
• Supporting Contract Lifecycle Management activities, including contract administration, documentation management, and compliance tracking.
• Conducting business research and data analysis and developing reports, presentations, and recommendations for Supply Chain team members and leadership.
• Collaborating across Supply Chain and other business functions to better understand how procurement supports business operations and organizational objectives.

Internship Experience

• Throughout the internship, you will gain practical experience in the day‑to‑day responsibilities of an Operational Buyer while developing a broader understanding of FirstEnergy's Supply Chain organization. You will have opportunities to work with experienced procurement professionals, business stakeholders, and suppliers while building skills in purchasing, supplier management, procurement technology, analytics, problem-solving, communication, and process improvement.
• The internship will also provide exposure to adjacent Supply Chain functions, including strategic sourcing, category management, and contract management, helping you understand how tactical procurement activities connect to broader Supply Chain strategies.

Qualifications

• Currently enrolled in a Bachelor’s program in Supply Chain Management or related field at an accredited institution.
• Minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA.
• Must have a graduation date not earlier than May 2028
• Authorization to work in the U.S. without current or future sponsorship.
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to follow detailed processes while identifying and resolving issues.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint); experience with data analysis or procurement systems is a plus.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, particularly Excel, Word, and PowerPoint; exposure to data analysis, ERP, or procurement systems is a plus but not required.
• A proactive and curious mindset with a willingness to learn, ask questions, solve problems, and build professional relationships.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills with the ability to communicate effectively with team members, business partners, and suppliers.
• Ability to gather, organize, and analyze information and communicate findings clearly to others.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, follow established processes, and maintain strong attention to detail.
• Strong analytical, critical-thinking, and problem-solving skills.
• Strong teamwork orientation with a commitment to workplace safety.