Head of Supply Chain and Procurement

Job Summary Leads the strategy, procurement, transportation, and inventory planning for approximately $300 million and 6 million tons per year of coal supporting the company's coal-fired electric generation units. The Manager Fuel Supply negotiates coal purchase and rail transportation agreements, forecasts short- and long-term fuel requirements, and coordinates supply and logistics plans that support reliable generation, environmental compliance, targeted inventory levels, and competitive dispatch costs. The role oversees a team responsible for coal procurement, coal handling coordination, rail logistics, contract administration, and related commercial activities involving domestic coal suppliers and major rail carriers.

Essential Functions Leads, develops, and manages a team of professionals responsible for coal procurement, transportation, logistics, contract administration, inventory management, and related fuel-supply activities.

Develops and executes short- and long-term coal supply strategies for the company's coal-fired generating units, balancing reliability, coal quality, environmental requirements, market conditions, contract obligations, and delivered cost.

Forecasts coal requirements using generation projections, unit operating plans, burn rates, outage schedules, inventory positions, transportation capacity, weather impacts, and market conditions; adjusts procurement and delivery plans as operating assumptions change.

Leads competitive solicitations and directly negotiates coal purchase agreements, rail transportation agreements, and related commercial arrangements, including pricing, volume, quality specifications, delivery schedules, performance standards, remedies, and other terms and conditions.

Evaluates spot and term purchasing opportunities, supplier proposals, transportation alternatives, and contract structures; prepares detailed economic and risk analyses and recommends agreements for executive approval.

Coordinates with generation dispatch, plant operations, finance, environmental, legal, and other stakeholders to establish monthly, annual, and multiyear fuel plans that maintain appropriate coal inventories and support unit availability.

Oversees day-to-day coal logistics, including mine origin scheduling, unit-train movements, railcar availability, delivery performance, unloading constraints, stockpile management, and contingency plans for supply or transportation disruptions.

Partners with generating stations to address coal handling, blending, storage, quality, sampling, unloading, and operational issues that could affect safety, emissions compliance, plant performance, or fuel availability.

Monitors supplier and carrier performance, enforces contractual requirements, resolves commercial disputes and delivery issues, and develops corrective actions to reduce operational and financial risk.

Manages the railcar fleet and related maintenance, utilization, cycle-time, and capacity requirements to support reliable deliveries and minimize transportation costs.

Oversees coal commodity and transportation invoice approval; directs invoice audits, volume and pricing reconciliations, accruals, and vendor follow-up to ensure accurate and timely payment.

Prepares fuel cost forecasts, budgets, variance analyses, management reports, and quarterly fuel adjustment clause testimony; responds to regulatory and stakeholder data requests.

Manages coal combustion byproducts to support timely removal from generating stations, regulatory compliance, beneficial-use opportunities, and commercial value.

Maintains productive relationships with coal producers, brokers, rail carriers, generating stations, and industry participants to monitor market developments and strengthen fuel-supply strategies.

Job Requirements High school diploma or GED required.

5+ years of progressively responsible experience in coal procurement, fuel supply, commodity purchasing, rail transportation, power generation, coal handling, or a closely related field.

Demonstrated experience negotiating high-value coal purchase, commodity, transportation, or comparable commercial agreements, including complex pricing, volume, performance, and risk provisions.

Demonstrated experience forecasting fuel or commodity requirements and developing short- and long-range procurement, inventory, and delivery plans.

Working knowledge of coal markets, coal quality, stockpile and coal handling practices, unit-train operations, railcar fleet management, and Class I rail logistics.

Knowledge of coal-fired power plant operations, combustion, emissions-control requirements, and the operational impacts of fuel quality and delivery performance.

Strong commercial and financial acumen, including the ability to evaluate supplier proposals, model delivered fuel costs, assess risk, and make recommendations to senior leadership.

Knowledge of the regulatory environment and cost-recovery processes applicable to a shareholder-owned regulated electric utility.

Proficiency with Microsoft 365 applications, including Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Teams, and the ability to analyze complex commercial and operational data.

Preferred Additional Qualifications for Position Bachelor's degree in engineering, business, supply chain, finance, economics, or a related field preferred; master's degree in business administration, engineering, supply chain, finance, economics, or a related field is an additional preference.

Experience leading coal procurement, fuel supply, or transportation activities for a regulated electric utility or coal-fired generation fleet.

Experience negotiating long-term coal supply and Class I rail transportation agreements with significant commercial value and operational complexity.

Advanced knowledge of domestic coal markets, including coal quality, pricing, sourcing, and transportation considerations.

Experience with fuel-cost modeling, commodity-market analysis, scenario planning, contract valuation, and risk management.

Experience supporting regulatory filings, fuel adjustment clause proceedings, audits, or testimony related to fuel and transportation costs.

Established relationships with coal producers, brokers, rail carriers, and other participants in the coal and electric-generation industries.

Experience with enterprise resource planning, commodity trading and risk management, rail logistics, or fuel-inventory management systems.

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As a public utility, NiSource provides essential services to customers 24/7. We encourage open dialogue, value different perspectives, and work collaboratively with employees, customers, and partners.

Veteran Hiring & Inclusion NiSource is proud to support veterans, transitioning service members, and military spouses. We value the leadership, teamwork, and mission-focused experience the military community brings, and we are committed to providing an inclusive workplace with opportunities for professional growth and development.

Equal Employment Opportunity NiSource is committed to providing equal employment opportunities in each of its companies to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin or ancestry, veteran status, disability, gender, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, sex (including pregnancy, lactation, childbirth or related medical conditions), genetic information, citizenship status, or any protected group status as defined by law. Employees are expected to follow safety requirements, report hazards, and help maintain a safe environment for themselves and their coworkers.

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The salary offered to a candidate is based on several factors including but not limited to the candidate's skills, job-related knowledge, and relevant experience, as well as internal pay equity.