At La Plata Electric Association, our mission is to provide our members safe, reliable electricity at the lowest reasonable cost while being environmentally responsible.  We are shaping the future by building trustworthy community partnerships as an innovative, forward-thinking industry leader, delivering excellence in our member-owned cooperative.

The Plant Accountant and Purchasing Manager is responsible for overseeing plant accounting, purchasing, warehouse operations, inventory, fleet administration, and asset management for the cooperative. This position ensures accurate financial reporting and internal controls related to capital assets, inventory, and purchasing while supporting the timely and cost-effective acquisition of materials, equipment, and services necessary for operations, construction, and maintenance activities.

The Plant Accountant and Purchasing Manager collaborates closely with Operations, Engineering, and Finance to support capital planning, project tracking and regulatory compliance. This role promotes and supports LPEA’s Mission, Vision, Strategic Goals and Initiatives, Code of Excellence, and Leadership Principles, and actively supports a culture of safety for employees and the community.

Essential Duties/Responsibilities:

Plant Accounting, Assets and Financial Reporting:

• Maintain accurate records of capital assets, inventory, fleet, and equipment within the ERP system in compliance with GAAP and applicable RUS requirements.
• Monitor asset lifecycles, depreciation schedules, and replacement planning.
• Assemble documentation for the annual capital items budget and prepare monthly capital purchase and asset reports for the Controller.
• Develop and maintain project tracking tools, dashboards, and materials forecasts to support capital planning and operational decision-making.
• Conduct semi-annual physical asset audits and reconcile results.
• Assist the Finance team with preparation of annual property tax filings and responses to assessor requests.
  

Purchasing and Inventory Management:

• Manage the requisition and purchasing workflow, ensuring accurate documentation, appropriate approvals, and established minimum stock levels.
• Develop, implement, and administer procurement policies, procedures, and internal controls.
• Determine market lead times to ensure timely availability of materials and equipment.
• Track office supply inventory, assess usage trends, and coordinate timely replenishment.
• Oversee fleet acquisition, licensing, insurance, and disposal.
• Ensure purchasing and inventory activities comply with cooperative policies, state and federal regulations, and applicable RUS standards.
• Participate in the Quality Control Committee to evaluate materials used in line construction.
• Support emergency response and storm restoration by ensuring material readiness.

Warehouse Management

• Oversee warehouse operations, including receiving, storage, issuing, inventory control, and material handling.
• Coordinate cycle counts and the annual inventory process.
• Ensure safe, efficient, and compliant warehouse and fleet operations.
• Coordinate with Operations and Engineering to ensure materials and equipment are available to support construction and maintenance schedules.

Leadership and Coordination

• Supervise, develop, and support a team of three (3) employees, including work planning, scheduling, training, and performance management.
• Coordinate work assignments and prioritize tasks to meet organizational needs.
• Collaborate across departments to support capital projects, work order processes, and operational objectives.
• Promote a culture of safety, accountability, and continuous improvement.

Required:

• Associate or bachelor’s degree in accounting, business, supply chain management or a related field and five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in accounting, purchasing, inventory management or asset management; or an equivalent combination of education, certification and experience.
• Previous supervisory experience.
• Strong accounting, record-keeping and administrative skills.
• Proficiency with ERP systems and Microsoft Excel.
• Experience with budgeting, cost analysis, and vendor negotiations.
• Ability to read, interpret, and apply policies, procedures, safety rules, and technical documents.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills.
• Valid driver’s license with good driving record.

Preferred:

• Knowledge of the RUS Uniform System of Accounting and GAAP (generally accepted accounting principles) is preferred.
• Experience with an electric utility is preferred.

About La Plata Electric Association, Inc.

LPEA is an electric cooperative in beautiful south west Colorado. Our mission is to provides our members safe, reliable electricity at the lowest reasonable cost while being environmentally responsible. We are Member Powered, Future Focused and a National Leader in our industry. It is our strategic goal to ensure our members, on average, pay less for their electric service than 70% of Colorado cooperatives while reducing our carbon emissions by more than 80% of our 2005 levers by 2030.

Connections working at La Plata Electric Association, Inc.