What are the responsibilities and job description for the Contracts Mgr position at Consumers Energy?
Consumers Energy is Michigan’s largest energy provider, providing natural gas and/or electricity to 6.8 million of the state’s 10 million residents in all 68 Lower Peninsula counties. Consumers Energy knows job number one is to keep the lights on for customers. We are committed to delivering reliable, clean, and affordable energy to our customers 24/7.
This position is not eligible for immigration sponsorship, e.g., H-1B, TN, etc. Please do not apply if you will need immigration sponsorship for a work visa now or in the future, including sponsorship for H-1B, TN, etc., now or in the future. We are unable to hire individuals with CPT, OPT, or STEM OPT for this position as the position is not eligible for participation in the H-1B lottery program and is not eligible for current or future immigration sponsorship for a work visa.
Location: This is a hybrid (virtual/onsite) position with required onsite days on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday assigned to Parnall located in Jackson, MI. The selected candidate must be within a commutable distance or willing to relocate (relocation package is available for those that qualify).
General Summary Of Job Responsibilities
The Contracts Manager is responsible for implementing the Company’s Clean Energy Plan, including annual competitive solicitations for the procurement of wholesale electric generation, resulting in approximately $1.4 billion in obligations, as well as negotiating multi‑hundred‑million‑dollar power purchase agreements (“PPAs”). This role involves close collaboration with Consumers Energy Legal, Credit, Accounting, and other cross‑functional teams to effectively represent the Company’s interests. The Contracts Manager must possess a working knowledge of the Company’s electric system, MISO energy and capacity markets, MPSC regulations, and strong business and contract acumen.
Essential Duties And Responsibilities
At Consumers Energy, we offer more than just a place to work. We foster a culture that supports career development, growth, and stability, and we take pride in offering our co-workers excellent benefits and compensation packages. We are deliberately creating an inclusive culture that makes our diverse team of co-workers feel valued, supported, and empowered every day. We're a company made up of thousands of people, all with different stories to share and work to do, but we stand united in our company purpose: world class performance delivering hometown service.
What We Offer
We, at CMS Energy, value Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion. It is part of our DNA. We treat our employees with respect, we treat each other fairly and we value the opinions of others. We are passionate about building and nurturing an environment where everyone feels included. We don’t discriminate. We seek to learn about each other and better understand our unique differences. Our uniqueness makes us authentic. We create safe spaces where everyone can be who they truly are. We invite difficult conversations and uncomfortable topics. We value diverse perspectives; this is what makes us great together. We harbor an inclusive environment where employees feel empowered to share their backgrounds, experiences, and ideas. Our Employee Resource Groups, Women in Energy (WE), Minority Advisory Panel (MAP), Pride Alliance of Consumers Energy (PACE), GENERGY, capABLE, Interfaith and Veterans Advisory Panel (VAP) are key enablers to living the values of our company culture: Caring, Empowered, Deliberate, Agility, and Ownership.
All qualified applicants will not be discriminated against and will receive consideration for employment without regard to protected veteran status, disability, race, color, religion, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or national origin.
This position is not eligible for immigration sponsorship, e.g., H-1B, TN, etc. Please do not apply if you will need immigration sponsorship for a work visa now or in the future, including sponsorship for H-1B, TN, etc., now or in the future. We are unable to hire individuals with CPT, OPT, or STEM OPT for this position as the position is not eligible for participation in the H-1B lottery program and is not eligible for current or future immigration sponsorship for a work visa.
Location: This is a hybrid (virtual/onsite) position with required onsite days on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday assigned to Parnall located in Jackson, MI. The selected candidate must be within a commutable distance or willing to relocate (relocation package is available for those that qualify).
General Summary Of Job Responsibilities
The Contracts Manager is responsible for implementing the Company’s Clean Energy Plan, including annual competitive solicitations for the procurement of wholesale electric generation, resulting in approximately $1.4 billion in obligations, as well as negotiating multi‑hundred‑million‑dollar power purchase agreements (“PPAs”). This role involves close collaboration with Consumers Energy Legal, Credit, Accounting, and other cross‑functional teams to effectively represent the Company’s interests. The Contracts Manager must possess a working knowledge of the Company’s electric system, MISO energy and capacity markets, MPSC regulations, and strong business and contract acumen.
Essential Duties And Responsibilities
- Negotiate and draft (as needed) multi‑hundred‑million‑dollar PPAs resulting from annual competitive solicitations, ensuring appropriate contractual, economic, and commercial terms that best serve and protect the Company’s interests.
- Negotiate and draft relatively straightforward amendments or other agreements to existing PPAs or Master EEI agreements.
- Lead all aspects of annual competitive solicitations for the procurement of wholesale electric generation, fostering competition to deliver improved performance at low cost while adhering to MPSC guidelines.
- Engage with internal and external third parties to build and maintain strong relationships with suppliers, securing positive, constructive, and cost‑effective PPAs for the Company.
- Draft MPSC testimony and other regulatory responses.
- Perform regulatory compliance reporting.
- Ensure commercial, legal, and contractual compliance in all procurement transactions, including adherence to Company processes, policies, and procedures.
- Perform contract administration activities, including rate letters, letter agreements, force majeure claims, and dispute resolution.
- Develop and manage complex standard work.
- Perform other duties as assigned or as necessary.
- Knowledge of business law, commercial terms and conditions, and related legal matters.
- Understanding of the full procurement lifecycle, including experience developing Request for Proposal (RFP) packages.
- Knowledge of procurement processes and escalation mechanisms, with demonstrated ability to influence stakeholders, deliver strong customer service, and resolve issues efficiently and effectively.
- Experience creating, analyzing, negotiating, and editing contracts in accordance with Company standards and business partner interests.
- Working knowledge of MPSC regulations and strong business and contract acumen.
- Proficiency with the MS Office suite, including advanced Excel, PowerPoint, Word, Power BI, ServiceNow, SAP, and DocuSign.
- Bachelor’s degree in a technical or business‑related field with two (2) or more years of experience in contracts, procurement, or related roles within the engineering industry
- [OR] Associate degree with four (4) or more years of experience in three or more of the areas listed above
- [OR] High School Diploma or GED with six (6) or more years of experience in three or more of the areas listed above
At Consumers Energy, we offer more than just a place to work. We foster a culture that supports career development, growth, and stability, and we take pride in offering our co-workers excellent benefits and compensation packages. We are deliberately creating an inclusive culture that makes our diverse team of co-workers feel valued, supported, and empowered every day. We're a company made up of thousands of people, all with different stories to share and work to do, but we stand united in our company purpose: world class performance delivering hometown service.
What We Offer
- Competitive compensation packages
- Medical, Dental and Vision
- 401k with company match
- Paid parental leave
- Up to 13 paid Holidays
- Paid time off
- Educational Assistance Program
We, at CMS Energy, value Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion. It is part of our DNA. We treat our employees with respect, we treat each other fairly and we value the opinions of others. We are passionate about building and nurturing an environment where everyone feels included. We don’t discriminate. We seek to learn about each other and better understand our unique differences. Our uniqueness makes us authentic. We create safe spaces where everyone can be who they truly are. We invite difficult conversations and uncomfortable topics. We value diverse perspectives; this is what makes us great together. We harbor an inclusive environment where employees feel empowered to share their backgrounds, experiences, and ideas. Our Employee Resource Groups, Women in Energy (WE), Minority Advisory Panel (MAP), Pride Alliance of Consumers Energy (PACE), GENERGY, capABLE, Interfaith and Veterans Advisory Panel (VAP) are key enablers to living the values of our company culture: Caring, Empowered, Deliberate, Agility, and Ownership.
All qualified applicants will not be discriminated against and will receive consideration for employment without regard to protected veteran status, disability, race, color, religion, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or national origin.