Procurement Intern

Are you interested in putting your supply chain knowledge to work in a fast-paced industry? Does unique problem solving and negotiation appeal to your strengths? Connexus Energy has the perfect internship for you! The Procurement Intern will assist with tasks including purchasing, supplier evaluation and planning. The internship is a temporary position requiring full-time hours during the summer of 2024. This temporary position is not eligible for benefits or relocation at this time.

Based in Ramsey, Connexus Energy is Minnesota’s largest electric cooperative, providing electricity, renewable energy alternatives and related services to 144,000+ residential and commercial members just north of the Twin Cities. We offer a collaborative work environment with challenging and rewarding work, which provides for professional development and work-life balance in a highly technical, stable and innovative industry. We give back to the communities we have served for more than 80 years by embracing opportunities to volunteer, donate and support economic development. Our talented and friendly staff focuses on achieving our mission of powering our members and communities toward a smarter energy future with a passionate focus on affordability, innovation, safety, and grid reliability.

Purpose:

The Procurement Intern will work closely with the Procurement Specialist in learning all aspects of the function including purchasing, supplier evaluation, negotiation, contract review and management. This position will play a critical role in driving efficiencies, deploying enabling technology, ensuring planning settings and material data within the ordering system are up to date.

Key Responsibilities and Results:

Assist with purchasing processes to assure the continuous supply of material and services required by the organization.

• Confirm data integrity on requisitions and purchase orders; follow up as required to assure they are complete. Ensure requisitions are properly prepared and ready to be converted to a purchase order.
• Review acknowledgements for agreement with purchase orders and alert the Procurement Specialist of any discrepancies.
• Maintain and update data within ERP system.
• Use software forecasting tools to order necessary items based on balance of availability and cost.
• Effectively work cross-functionally with internal customers and team members to ensure alignment of sourcing objectives and requirements.
• Assist the Procurement Specialist in operational improvement and optimization projects.
• Identify opportunities to improve supplier performance metrics and reporting.
• Compiling data from various systems and providing data analysis for various projects.

Support vendor relationships to facilitate best price and service.

• Conduct market research and analysis to identify potential suppliers and vendors
• Build knowledge of industry and company changes affecting both the supply and demand for products or services.
• Support the initiation and renewal of contracts in the purchase of equipment, materials, and services.
• Maintain vendor relationships to achieve necessary material quality, timeliness of delivery and competitive pricing.

Required Education, Experience, Skills and Talents:

• Currently enrolled full-time in a 4 year higher education institution and completed a minimum of one year of study.
• Majoring in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, or related business degree.
• Understanding of procurement processes and procedures
• Working knowledge of an ERP system
• Advanced understanding of Excel (formula’s, advanced filtering, pivot tables, etc.)

Preferred Education, Experience, Skills and Talents:

• Strong analytical and problem solving skills
• Knowledge of data visualization software preferred (i.e. PowerBI, Tableau)
• Ability to add, subtract, divide, multiply to calculate discounts, extended prices on purchase order and rate structure for freight.
• Strong computer skills (data entry, spreadsheets, report writing, word processing)
• Excellent customer service and customer focus
• Ability to maintain good working relationship both internally and externally

The application review process will continue until filled.

Pre-Employment Requirement: Employment is contingent upon successfully completing a pre-employment background check and drug screen.

Compensation: Connexus Energy offers a competitive wage and friendly work environment

An Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer: Minorities, Women, Veterans, Disabilities

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, disability or veteran status