Job Description
Job Summary
Leads the strategy, procurement, transportation, and inventory planning for approximately $300 million and 6 million tons per year of coal supporting the company’s coal-fired electric generation units. The Manager Fuel Supply negotiates coal purchase and rail transportation agreements, forecasts short- and long-term fuel requirements, and coordinates supply and logistics plans that support reliable generation, environmental compliance, targeted inventory levels, and competitive dispatch costs. The role oversees a team responsible for coal procurement, coal handling coordination, rail logistics, contract administration, and related commercial activities involving domestic coal suppliers and major rail carriers.
Essential Functions
- Leads, develops, and manages a team of professionals responsible for coal procurement, transportation, logistics, contract administration, inventory management, and related fuel-supply activities.
- Develops and executes short- and long-term coal supply strategies for the company’s coal-fired generating units, balancing reliability, coal quality, environmental requirements, market conditions, contract obligations, and delivered cost.
- Forecasts coal requirements using generation projections, unit operating plans, burn rates, outage schedules, inventory positions, transportation capacity, weather impacts, and market conditions; adjusts procurement and delivery plans as operating assumptions change.
- Leads competitive solicitations and directly negotiates coal purchase agreements, rail transportation agreements, and related commercial arrangements, including pricing, volume, quality specifications, delivery schedules, performance standards, remedies, and other terms and conditions.
- Evaluates spot and term purchasing opportunities, supplier proposals, transportation alternatives, and contract structures; prepares detailed economic and risk analyses and recommends agreements for executive approval.
- Coordinates with generation dispatch, plant operations, finance, environmental, legal, and other stakeholders to establish monthly, annual, and multiyear fuel plans that maintain appropriate coal inventories and support unit availability.
- Oversees day-to-day coal logistics, including mine origin scheduling, unit-train movements, railcar availability, delivery performance, unloading constraints, stockpile management, and contingency plans for supply or transportation disruptions.
- Partners with generating stations to address coal handling, blending, storage, quality, sampling, unloading, and operational issues that could affect safety, emissions compliance, plant performance, or fuel availability.
- Monitors supplier and carrier performance, enforces contractual requirements, resolves commercial disputes and delivery issues, and develops corrective actions to reduce operational and financial risk.
- Manages the railcar fleet and related maintenance, utilization, cycle-time, and capacity requirements to support reliable deliveries and minimize transportation costs.
- Oversees coal commodity and transportation invoice approval; directs invoice audits, volume and pricing reconciliations, accruals, and vendor follow-up to ensure accurate and timely payment.
- Prepares fuel cost forecasts, budgets, variance analyses, management reports, and quarterly fuel adjustment clause testimony; responds to regulatory and stakeholder data requests.
- Manages coal combustion byproducts to support timely removal from generating stations, regulatory compliance, beneficial-use opportunities, and commercial value.
- Maintains productive relationships with coal producers, brokers, rail carriers, generating stations, and industry participants to monitor market developments and strengthen fuel-supply strategies.
Job Requirements
Required Qualifications for Position
- Bachelor’s degree in engineering, business, supply chain, finance, economics, or related field.
- Ten or more years of progressively responsible experience in coal procurement, fuel supply, commodity purchasing, rail transportation, power generation, coal handling, or a closely related field.
- At least five years of supervisory or people-leadership experience.
- Demonstrated experience negotiating high-value coal purchase, commodity, transportation, or comparable commercial agreements, including complex pricing, volume, performance, and risk provisions.
- Demonstrated experience forecasting fuel or commodity requirements and developing short- and long-range procurement, inventory, and delivery plans.
- Working knowledge of coal markets, coal quality, stockpile and coal handling practices, unit-train operations, railcar fleet management, and Class I rail logistics.
- Knowledge of coal-fired power plant operations, combustion, emissions-control requirements, and the operational impacts of fuel quality and delivery performance.
- Strong commercial and financial acumen, including the ability to evaluate supplier proposals, model delivered fuel costs, assess risk, and make recommendations to senior leadership.
- Knowledge of the regulatory environment and cost-recovery processes applicable to a shareholder-owned regulated electric utility.
- Strong analytical, leadership, negotiation, communication, relationship management, and presentation skills.
- Proficiency with Microsoft 365 applications, including Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Teams, and the ability to analyze complex commercial and operational data.
- Valid driver’s license
Preferred Additional Qualifications for Position
- Master’s degree in business administration, engineering, supply chain, finance, economics, or related field.
- Experience leading coal procurement, fuel supply, or transportation activities for a regulated electric utility or coal-fired generation fleet.
- Experience negotiating long-term coal supply and Class I rail transportation agreements with significant commercial value and operational complexity.
- Advanced knowledge of domestic coal markets, including coal quality, pricing, sourcing, and transportation considerations.
- Experience with fuel-cost modeling, commodity-market analysis, scenario planning, contract valuation, and risk management.
- Experience supporting regulatory filings, fuel adjustment clause proceedings, audits, or testimony related to fuel and transportation costs.
- Established relationships with coal producers, brokers, rail carriers, and other participants in the coal and electric-generation industries.
- Experience with enterprise resource planning, commodity trading and risk management, rail logistics, or fuel-inventory management systems.
Physical Demands
- Sedentary work
- Extended sitting
- Frequent communication
- Site walking
- Uneven surfaces
- Stair climbing
- Occasional bending
- PPE required
- Lifting 25 pounds
The preceding description is not designed to be a complete list of all duties and responsibilities required of the position.
As a public utility, NiSource provides essential services to customers 24/7. Emergency needs can arise at various times throughout the year, including during storm season. Employees may be required to support emergency response efforts, which could include working outside normal hours or assisting with tasks outside of typical responsibilities.
Work Authorization
Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States and must not require employer sponsorship now or in the future.
Workplace Connection
We value a workplace where everyone feels respected, included, and able to do their best work. We encourage open dialogue, value different perspectives, and work collaboratively with employees, customers, and partners.
We recognize and respect the unique experiences people bring, including different backgrounds, cultures, and viewpoints. We treat others with professionalism and care, and we each play a part in creating a positive work environment.
Veteran Hiring & Inclusion
NiSource is proud to support veterans, transitioning service members, and military spouses. We value the leadership, teamwork, and mission-focused experience the military community brings, and we are committed to providing an inclusive workplace with opportunities for professional growth and development.
Equal Employment Opportunity
NiSource is committed to providing equal employment opportunities in each of its companies to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin or ancestry, veteran status, disability, gender, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, sex (including pregnancy, lactation, childbirth or related medical conditions), genetic information, citizenship status, or any protected group status as defined by law. Each employee is expected to abide by this principle.
By applying, you may also be considered for other roles that match your skills and experience.
ADA Accommodations
If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate in any stage of the hiring process or to perform the essential functions of the position, please contact OneHR at OneHR@nisource.com or 1-888-640-3320
Safety Statement
Safety is a core value at NiSource. Employees are expected to follow safety requirements, report hazards, and help maintain a safe environment for themselves and their coworkers.
E-Verify
NiSource participates in the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's E-Verify program. Please review the following notices regarding your rights and responsibilities under U.S. law.
Salary Range*:
$133,400.00 - $200,100.00
*The salary offered to a candidate is based on several factors including but not limited to the candidate’s skills, job-related knowledge, and relevant experience, as well as internal pay equity.
Posting Start Date:
2026-10-15
Posting End Date (if applicable):
2026-10-29
Please note that the job posting will close on the day before the posting end date.
