Description: Location: Hybrid in Bakersfield, Chico, San Jose or Torrance Employment Type: Full Time, permanent position. Position Summary: Are you a skilled procurement professional passionate about strategic sourcing, contract negotiation, and supplier management? As a Senior Procurement Consultant with our firm, you will play a key role in driving efficiency, cost savings, and strong supplier partnerships for California’s largest water utility. Your expertise will help shape sourcing strategies, optimize procurement value, and support critical business operations. This role offers the opportunity to work on high-impact projects, collaborate across departments, and make a meaningful contribution to the company's success. Why join us? We are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued, respected, and empowered to bring their unique perspectives to the table. At Innovation Consulting LLC, you will play a crucial role in driving our commitment to emotional intelligence, efficiency, and innovation, ensuring that we deliver positive outcomes for our clients and the communities we serve. Who You Are: You are a strategic and detail-oriented procurement professional with a passion for optimizing sourcing, negotiating contracts, and building strong supplier relationships. With a proactive mindset and a solutions-driven approach, you thrive in dynamic environments where you can drive cost savings, efficiency, and value for the organization. What You’ll Do: Lead Strategic Sourcing & Procurement – Manage major sourcing activities, including RFx processes, proposal evaluations, supplier negotiations, and contract execution Optimize Supplier Partnerships – Build strong relationships with vendors to ensure the best value and service for the company. Collaborate Cross-Functionally – Work with engineering, operations, legal, and other teams to define business needs, create scopes of work, and negotiate agreements. Enhance Procurement Strategies – Identify opportunities to improve procurement efficiency through spend analysis and sourcing studies. Ensure Compliance & Best Practices – Support supplier diversity initiatives, enforce procurement policies, and assist with audits. Drive Innovation – Contribute to the evaluation and implementation of new technologies that enhance procurement processes. Share Your Expertise – Provide guidance and training to internal teams on procurement best practices. Requirements: Must-Have Qualifications Bachelor's degree in Business, Finance, Marketing, or a related field (or equivalent experience). 5+ years of experience in procurement, sourcing, or contract administration. Strong negotiation and contract management skills. Proficiency in Microsoft Office and enterprise-wide procurement systems. Ability to manage multiple priorities and work collaboratively across departments. A proactive mindset and problem-solving approach. Valid California Driver’s License. Preferred Additional Qualifications Utility, energy industry, or construction industry experience. Industry certifications (CPM, CPSM) Experience managing procurement for large-scale infrastructure, construction, or utility projects. Familiarity with ERP or procurement software such as SAP, Oracle, or Ariba. Work Environment & Additional Requirements: This role is primarily hybrid, with flexibility for occasional remote work in or near Bakersfield, Chico, San Jose or Torrance. Travel is estimated 0% to 10% of the time. Compensation: Salary Range: $100,000 to $190,000 Comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, and vision, retirement plans, reimbursement accounts, PTO (Paid time Off) and discount plans. No waiting period on benefits package. They are available immediately and accrual items begin accruing immediately. Opportunities for professional development and career growth. Supportive and collaborative work environment. Medical, Dental and Vision: Benefits are provided through Covered California, where you can choose from over 48 health plans that best fit your and your family’s needs. Our Health Reimbursement Account helps us cost-share the premiums with our employees Premiums are mostly, or sometimes entirely covered by the Health Reimbursement Account, depending on the level of plan you select. HRA (Health Reimbursement Account) can be used for covering costs of plan premiums as well as point-of-service costs and copays Benefit amounts for 2025 (12-month period): Employee only: $6,600 Employee plus one: $10,320 Employee plus family: $14,040 All plans may carryover up to $5,000 to the next year Retirement Savings Plan: 401K program with safe-harbor company matching contributions dollar-for-dollar up to 6% of employee contributions. 401K program custodian with a history of high-performing funds. Discretionary supplemental match each year. PTO (Paid Time Off) Holidays: Paid holidays for full-time employees, averaging 11 days per year, following utility holiday schedules. Sick time: 40 hours per year accrued on a bi-weekly basis, carryover allowed to next year. Vacation pay: accrued on a bi-weekly basis, carryover allowed to the next year. Vacation accrual details based on years of employment with our firm: 0-2 years: 2 weeks or 80 hours per year 3-4 years: 3 weeks or 120 hours per year 5+ years: 4 weeks or 160 hours per year Additional Benefits: Discount program on memberships, hotels, travel, concerts, electronics and other items. No waiting period on benefits package. Benefits eligibility is available immediately and accrual items begin accruing immediately. With our 401K program, you are 100% vested in all deposits from day one, no vesting period on your contributions or company contribution. Opportunities for professional development and career growth. Supportive and collaborative work environment. At Innovation Consulting LLC, you’ll be part of a team that believes in building a better world—starting with you. We’re committed to creating an environment where you feel valued, supported, empowered, and inspired to bring your unique talents to the table, driving positive change for our clients and communities. Join us, and you’ll have the opportunity to grow with a company that values diversity, ethical leadership, and sustainability, all while making a real impact in the world through our innovative and inclusive culture.