Purchasing Assistant Jobs in Hawaii (NOW HIRING)

We recognize our competitive advantage -- our people. We believe in our people, who share our vision of meeting the needs of our employees, customers, and communities and who carry out the continued success of the company.
Our employees are committed to the company's foundational values: integrity, excellence, teamwork, environmental stewardship, and community commitment. In turn, we invest in our employees, providing opportunities for challenge and advancement and offering a competitive compensation package.
Applications will be screened based on the information provided; in order to assist us in determining qualifications, please upload a current resume and take some time to update your employment information, certifications, etc. The information will flow over to your profile.
Posting End Date: This position will remain open until filled. Early applications are highly encouraged.
BRIEF POSTING DESCRIPTION:
The P VP PURCHASING Department of the P SUPPORT SERVICES Division at Hawaiian Electric Company has 1 Management vacancy available. (Role: Professional)
JOB FUNCTION:
Responsible to ensure vendors' procurement and contractual obligations are met for the Company.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
Strategic Sourcing:

• Implements category management strategies and business processes to leverage overall spend to maximize cost savings for the Company and its mission, vision, and values.
• Manages competitive solicitation, vendor selection, and negotiation of contracted pricing to meet process area/division/department goals and objectives.
• Works directly, at all levels, with vendors to maintain effective vendor relationships; determines the appropriate procurement strategy to maximize the potential value to be received from all vendors.
• Uses SAP (the Company's enterprise application software) appropriately to track and record contracted pricing through Outline Agreements (OLA) and Source Lists.

Contract Compliance:

• Maintains familiarity with contract language and associated terms and conditions to ensure appropriate risk mitigation.
• Resolves disputes and/or claims pertaining to contractual terms through collaboration with internal business units.
• Manages the negotiation process, including review and recommendation of contractual and other related commercial terms.
• Facilitates the collaboration and review between vendors, internal customers, legal, risk management, information assurance, and other internal stakeholders.
• Utilizes Ariba Contract Lifecycle Management and ISNetworld Contractor Management tools appropriately to track compliance of all Terms and Conditions with vendors.

Transactional Efficiencies:

• Works collaboratively with Buyers, Supply Chain Clerks and Disbursement Accounting to rectify and resolve purchase order and/or invoice discrepancies. This may require communication with the vendor and/or the business unit to verify job scope, schedule, price, freight charges, quantity, and that remittance complies with contracted terms.

Other:

• Executes work to high professional standards and ensures compliance with Audit, Sarbanes-Oxley Act (SOX), and ethical guidelines.
• Performs and is accountable for other responsibilities and duties as assigned. This may include but is not limited to:
  • Investigation and resolution of purchase order and invoice discrepancies, including price, quantity, unit of measure, conditions, surcharges, description, etc.
  • Participates in Company emergency response activities as assigned, including any activities required to prepare for such emergency response.

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:
Knowledge Requirements

• Working knowledge of the concepts and principles of purchasing, contract administration, Hawaiian Electric's Corporate Code of Conduct (if applicable), insurance programs, project management practices, cost estimating, scheduling, negotiation principles, contract law, and procurement techniques and procedures that are normally acquired through various college level courses or related experience.
• Basic/working knowledge of concepts and principles of electric utility operations, maintenance, and construction that are normally acquired through related experience.
• Proficient in the use of personal computers and/or mainframe systems and related software applications including SAP and the Microsoft Office suite (i.e., Outlook, Excel, Word, PowerPoint, etc.).
• Familiarity with applicable Federal and State regulations, permits, laws and codes, especially those relating to safety and environmental compliance.

Skills Requirements

• Excellent verbal, written, presentation and listening skills to effectively communicate with all levels of the organization, vendors, and the public sector. Is detail-oriented and ensures professionalism and accuracy, especially in written documents and communication.
• Strong interpersonal, negotiation and conflict resolution skills to motivate, persuade, and influence various groups and individuals.
• Leadership skills and abilities to work with a variety of individuals occasionally dealing with sensitive, difficult or confrontational issues.
• Ability to remain flexible in a demanding work environment and adapt to rapidly changing priorities.
• Demonstrated organizational skills to assess job demands and complex projects, and maintain accurate records of all activities.
• Task-driven and self-directed ability to manage a high volume of work in a timely fashion with minimal supervision.

Experience Requirements

• Several (3-5) years of related work experience in purchasing or project/contract administration, preferably in the electric utility industry relative to construction, purchasing, engineering, operations, maintenance, or closely related field.

Role: Professional
Number of Vacancies: 1
Location: Honolulu - Oahu
Hiring Range: The hiring range for the Purchasing Contract Manager [Req ID 10546] position is $79,600.00 to $101,600.00. The person selected will be placed according to his/her skills and qualifications.
About Hawaiian Electric Companies
Hawaiian Electric Companies provide electricity and services to 95 percent of the state's 1.4 million residents. The company is also one of the state's leading employers and a major contributor and supporter of community and educational programs.
The demand for power that has fueled the growth of the Hawaiian Islands has been met by Hawaiian Electric Companies for well over a century. And as the next millennium unfolds, the company is committed to providing quality service and seeking clean local energy sources to power generations of Hawaii families and businesses to come. Visit us at http://hawaiianelectric.com.
Interested individuals should apply online. The application must clearly indicate the demonstrated experience/knowledge/skills/abilities the candidate possesses which specifically qualifies him/her for the position.
Applicant Certification
By submitting an application for the position, candidates:
1. Authorize the Hawaiian Electric Companies to confirm all statements contained in the application and/or any materials submitted and made a part of the application as they relate to the position and to the extent permitted by law;
2. Authorize and consent to, without reservation, the Hawaiian Electric Companies sharing any and all information regarding previous or present employment, educational training or personal information from their records and from any other source with the hiring department or subsidiary company;
3. Release, discharge, and hold harmless, Hawaiian Electric Companies, from any and all liability for any damage which may be claimed as a result of furnishing such information to the hiring department or subsidiary company;
4. Authorizes release and transfer of all personnel records to be maintained by the hiring company in the event of an inter-company transfer; and
5. Authorize, direct, and consent to Hawaiian Electric Companies and/or its authorized agents to conduct investigations into candidates' background. These investigations may include, but are not limited to searches for information about applicants; record of criminal convictions to the extent permitted by law, education records, professional certifications, personal character references, and employment history.
EEO StatementHawaiian Electric Companies is an equal opportunity employer, including disability and protected veteran status. Hawaiian Electric Companies complies with all applicable laws, including Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Any request for reasonable accommodation needed during the application process should be communicated by the candidate to the HR Service Center at (808) 543-4848.
Affiliate Disclaimer
The relationship between Hawaiian Electric and unregulated, energy-related affiliate companies is governed by the Affiliate Transaction Requirements (ATRs) established by the Hawaii Public Utilities Commission (PUC). The ATRs were established with the PUC's Decision and Order No. 35962 issued on December 19, 2018, and subsequently modified by Order No. 36112, issued on January 24, 2019, in Docket No. 2018-0065. With Decision and Order No. 42409, issued on March 23, 2026, in Docket No. 2025-0391, the PUC indefinitely suspended certain sections of the ATRs.
The ATRs address many issues related to Hawaiian Electric's interactions and transactions with Affiliates and Affiliate-Related Entities. If you'd like more information about these rules/regulations, you can email ATR@hawaiianelectric.com.