Process Improvement Contract Jobs in Arizona (NOW HIRING)

Summary

As a Contract Consultant on the Power Generation Team, you'll play a key role in ensuring that APS’s Generation Business Unit operates with strong vendor partnerships, optimized contract outcomes, and a firm handle on risk and performance metrics.

This position supports all phases of the contract lifecycle—from implementation and negotiation to compliance tracking and performance evaluation. You’ll lead cross-functional efforts that align contract strategy with operational needs, while identifying opportunities for efficiency, cost savings, and improved vendor performance.

As a subject matter expert in contract management and data analytics, you’ll provide insights that empower teams, improve governance, and help deliver lasting value across power generation operations.

Key Skills & Tasks

• Contract Development & Implementation: Develop and implement vendor contracts that align with operational goals, regulatory requirements, and enterprise standards.
• Contract Negotiation & Modification: Lead contract negotiations and amendments with vendors to support changing business requirements and optimize value.
• Compliance & Risk Management: Monitor contract compliance by vendors and internal teams, identifying deviations and resolving issues before they impact operations.
• Performance Analytics: Leverage data analytics to create dashboards and reports that provide transparency into contract spend, timelines, and KPIs, and evaluate contract performance, identify trends, and recommend corrective actions or process improvements.
• Process Improvement: Drive continuous improvement initiatives related to contract governance, lifecycle management, and vendor relationship optimization.

People We Want to Talk To

• Contract management professionals with experience in energy, utilities, industrial operations, or similarly complex, regulated environments.
• Strategic thinkers who bring a solutions-oriented mindset to contracts, compliance, and vendor engagement.
• Individuals who thrive on digging into contract language, data sets, and performance metrics to uncover value and mitigate risk.
• Collaborators who can navigate cross-functional relationships, bridging legal, operational, and financial perspectives with confidence.
• Professionals with strong attention to detail and organizational discipline, who can manage multiple contracts and deadlines without losing focus.
• A four-year Bachelors degree in business, engineering, law or other job related field from an accredited college or university
• Eight (8) years of progressive experience in contract management, business operations or other job related areas.
• In lieu of bachelors degree, combination of college coursework and/or experience in contract management, business operations or other job related area equaling 12 years.

Preferred Special Skills, Knowledge or Qualifications

• Fundamental understanding of contracts, contract negotiation, business operations, processes improvement, and business unit systems utilized within the organization.
• Experience with the systems specific to the business area.
• Ability to identify process improvement opportunities, gaps, data analysis and recommended solutions which tie functional needs to contract solutions. Demonstrated project/team experience and ability to prioritize work.
• Ability to review data, see relationships and patterns, as well as possess strong analytical, communication, interpersonal and organizational skills.
• Experience in managing contract projects and identifying and resolving issues.
• Expertise in PC applications including advanced skill level in Microsoft 365 tools; Teams, PowerBI, Power Apps, Copilot, Microsoft Excel, Power Point, and Word.
• Knowledge of emerging practices and technologies used within the business area.
• Knowledge of applicable federal and state laws, regulations, and standards impacting business areas.
• Demonstrated communication skills, both verbal and written.

Major Accountabilities

1) Manages a consolidated portfolio of ~$100M annually in long-term service and material agreements.

2) Conducts contract negotiations and monitors financial impacts, vendor performance and compliance. Ensures alignment with business needs and financial goals. Formulates and defines business needs, scope modifications and objectives through research and fact finding.

3) Develops, maintains or modifies key performance indicators related to vendor performance, including but not limited to performance guarantee or liquidated damage methodology and calculations lack of vendor performance, and monitor financial incentives or rebates owed by the vendor.

4) Defines and develops vendor strategy roadmap for future needs over a 10-year period. Performs benchmarking and develops business cases, using cost-benefit analysis. Stays informed on trends impacting contract strategies for future vendor services or materials need to maintain operational excellence and reliability of the Generation fleet.

5) Provides input and gathers functional requirements, policy/procedure interpretation and future business needs related to managing existing contracts or development of new contracts for materials and services. May coordinate assigned phases of project planning and execution for small projects which includes estimating resources and tasks; and creating, managing and controlling project schedules and resources. Defines and documents business processes by establishing project scope and objectives through research, benchmarking and analysis.

6) Leads and supports the development, planning, analysis and implementation of business initiatives related to contracts and vendor management. Designs and implements contract strategies that enhance organizational effectiveness through vendor partnerships. Manages projects of moderate-to-complex scope and budget to support contract management within Generation.

7) Drives contract process improvements and system enhancements based on business requirements. Evaluates and enhances new and existing workflows using data-driven analysis. Recommends and implements process improvement initiatives, which may include technology solutions to streamline operations, automate tasks and increase efficiency.

8) Identifies opportunities and resolves routine to complex contract-related operational issues by collaborating with Supply Chain, Operations Support, Operations and vendors to implement solutions and measure outcomes to ensure business objectives are met.

9) Provides operational support including, but not limited to: gap analysis, training and data integrity audits.

10) Develops and maintains standardized reports and statistical summaries to ensure data accuracy and consistency. Writes, maintains and supports a variety of reports or queries utilizing appropriate reporting tools.

11) Monitors vendor performance and ensures compliance with access and data security protocols.

12) Mentors junior staff and shares knowledge of business/technical environment, priorities and processes.

13) Conducts research, analyzes data and presents findings to stakeholders.

14) Leads or supports project assignments, including needs analysis, scope definition and ongoing maintenance of contract implementation.

15) Maintains documentation of processes, guidelines, tools, procedures and training materials required to support the business unit. May assist in the planning, development and administration of Generation's budget functions.

Export Compliance / EEO Statement

This position may require access to and/or use of information subject to control under the Department of Energy's Part 810 Regulations (10 CFR Part 810), the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) (15 CFR Parts 730 through 774), or the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) (22 CFR Chapter I, Subchapter M Part 120) (collectively, 'U.S. Export Control Laws'). Therefore, some positions may require applicants to be a U.S. person, which is defined as a U.S. Citizen, a U.S. Lawful Permanent Resident (i.e. 'Green Card Holder'), a Political Asylee, or a Refugee under the U.S. Export Control Laws. All applicants will be required to confirm their U.S. person or non-US person status. All information collected in this regard will only be used to ensure compliance with U.S. Export Control Laws, and will be used in full compliance with all applicable laws prohibiting discrimination on the basis of national origin and other factors. For positions at Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Stations (PVNGS) all openings will require applicants to be a U.S. person.

Pinnacle West Capital Corporation and its subsidiaries and affiliates ('Pinnacle West') maintain a continuing policy of nondiscrimination in employment. It is our policy to provide equal opportunity in all phases of the employment process and in compliance with applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations. This policy of nondiscrimination shall include, but not be limited to, recruiting, hiring, promoting, compensating, reassigning, demoting, transferring, laying off, recalling, terminating employment, and training for all positions without regard to race, color, religion, disability, age, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status, protected veteran status, or any other classification or characteristic protected by law.

For more information on applicable equal employment regulations, please refer to EEO is the Law poster. Federal law requires all employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of every person hired to work in the United States, refer to E-Verify poster. View the employee rights and responsibilities under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA).

In compliance with the Drug Free Workplace Act of 1988, the Company is committed to a work environment that is free from the effects of alcohol and controlled substances, and free from the abuse or inappropriate use of prescribed and over-the-counter medications. The Company requires employees to be subject to drug and alcohol testing that is job-related and consistent with business necessity, regulatory requirements and applicable laws.

Hybrid: Employees in hybrid roles work both in their home offices (virtually) and alongside their colleagues (in person).

In order for employees to build strong relationships and to promote meaningful in person interactions, hybrid employees are expected to work about 40% of their time in-person at an APS or other (non-home office) location.

*Employees are expected to reside in Arizona (or New Mexico for Four Corners-based employees).

*Working from a home office requires adequate technology and an appropriate ergonomic set up.

*Role types are subject to change based on business need.

Job Segment: Sustainability, Nuclear, Energy