Manager – Gas Supply & Planning

Organization: Rhode Island Energy
Date Posted: 7/20/2022
City: Providence
Location: Rhode Island
Country: United States
Primary Category: Management
Type of Position: Full-Time

The Manager of Gas Supply Planning and Procurement, working in conjunction with the Manager of Gas Supply Trading and Scheduling, is responsible for identifying and developing gas supply procurement and portfolio optimization strategies while ensuring reliable, least cost service to customers. The Manager will establish and implement effective, reasonable planning and procurement processes to develop and maintain a portfolio of gas supply resources to meet load obligations consistent with internal guidelines, approved Rhode Island Public Utilities Commission (RIPUC) and Division of Public Utilities and Carriers (DPUC) guidelines, and regulations, and all other applicable rules and regulations. This individual will also prepare, support, and defend submissions to the RIPUC and DPUC regarding: the Long-Range Resource and Requirements Plan (LRP); process used to identify and procure resources; gas cost recovery; as well as policy changes and other regulatory activities at both the State and Federal levels, in conjunction with internal and external legal counsel. The Manager is responsible for supporting the implementation and on-going utilization of an energy trading and risk management system.

• Develop a newly-formed organization to meet gas supply planning and procurement objectives and manage the organization’s future success.
• Recruit, train and retain staff skilled in gas supply planning and procurement activities with knowledge of the New England regional gas supply dynamics. Develop processes and ensure adequate training and personnel development planning and coordination. Undertake goal setting and performance measurement. Ensure that team members understand and support the natural gas business and direction of PPL RI.
• In conjunction with Manager of Gas Supply Trading and Scheduling and the Director and Manager of Gas Control, determine annual, seasonal, monthly, and daily mix of assets needed to meet the Company’s regulated gas supply obligations and system pressure and flow needs. Support portfolio optimization with the identification of resource prioritization considering contract implications.
• In conjunction with the Manager of Gas Supply Trading and Scheduling, manage the commercial and regulatory activity associated with the Company’s Natural Gas Portfolio Management Plan (NGPMP).
• Manage and conduct request for proposals (RFPs) for natural gas supplies, delivered services, pipeline and/or storage capacity, asset management arrangements, and LNG supply to ensure they are executed and managed consistent with reliability requirements, bid documents and instructions, PPL objectives, and all applicable regulatory rules. Manage the evaluation of responses to RFPs using defined metrics and criteria.
• Negotiate various commercial contracts, such as NAESB agreements, long-term pipeline and storage capacity contracts, LNG and trucking arrangements, and asset management arrangements.
  Manage and support the development of the Company’s LRP, which includes: reviewing the demand forecast and serving as primary contact with the Company’s Energy Planning, Analysis, and Forecasting team; managing the use of the SENDOUT portfolio optimization software; supporting various procurement analysis and research; and providing testimony to RIPUC and DPUC.
• In conjunction with Director of Energy Trading (who has responsibility for the Company’s financial hedging program) develop monthly demand forecasts to inform financial hedging activity.
• Maintain an advanced working knowledge of natural gas industry and regulatory developments to explain same in response to internal and external inquiries. Anticipate potential impact of future market conditions, trends, and regulations; make associated recommendations; adopt and implement changes to procurement strategy when required.
• Develop and implement PPL RI’s strategic position; understand and explain relative competitive positions; recommend actions based on positions, strategies, and initiatives.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in business, accounting, finance, engineering, mathematics, or other analytical discipline.
• Five to ten years of gas industry experience preferably with New England natural gas markets and infrastructure.
• Knowledge of gas supply planning and procurement activities including issuance and evaluation of RFPs for resources; development and support of integrated resource plans for a natural gas utility; and resource optimization (e.g., use of SENDOUT or similar software).
• Expertise in the negotiation and execution of long-term gas supply resource contracts (e.g., NAESB, pipeline capacity, and LNG).
• Knowledge of FERC and state regulatory/statutory requirements affecting the purchase, sale and or transportation of natural gas.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to build strong relationships and maintain successful relationships across industry sectors.
• Possess excellent working knowledge of Word and Excel applications.
• Must have valid driver’s license.