Category Manager

The Category Manager position reports directly to the Director of Strategic Sourcing within the Procurement Department and is part of the broader Strategic Sourcing team responsible for sourcing indirect materials for TPC. This position develops, deploys, and manages the procurement strategies for the indirect materials and services required to support company operations. These commodities generally represent a major portion of a large procurement category and typically involve multi-year/multi-million-dollar expenditures negotiated and contracted utilizing strategic agreements. This leader utilizes a comprehensive sourcing process which includes a highly effective commodity and vendor analysis, comprehensive sourcing strategy development and execution, aggressive contract negotiation, and strong vendor performance management. This position is responsible for driving lowest total cost of ownership and maximum value for the assigned commodities. This position is also responsible for managing the entire portfolio of suppliers in their category(ies). This position manages and facilitates effective internal stakeholder and supplier relationships up to the senior level.

Job Roles and Responsibilities:

• Develops and deploys successful procurement strategies, driven by business needs, which include effective supplier vetting, contracting, negotiating, and supplier management skills
• Develops and deploys strategic sourcing plans specific to turnarounds or large capital projects; partners closely and interfaces effectively with key stakeholder groups
• Sources, negotiates, and procures commodities or services to bring the best overall value to TPC, including pricing and favorable commercial terms
• Proactively looks for and pursues opportunities to drive sustainable and meaningful cost savings
• Participates in best practice development and information sharing with partner groups and colleagues
• Directly supervises at least one strategic sourcing buyer and effectively utilizes, mentors, coaches, and directs to ensure staff development and successful integration with stakeholders and effective growth and deployment of procurement skills
• Conducts bid events with a high level of skill, integrity, analytical capability, and compliance to established policies, procedures, and controls to ensure the best outcome for TPC
• Assists stakeholders in scope development to ensure bid packages are complete and accurate
• Negotiates Strategic Agreements and Commercial Terms with suppliers
• Promotes excellent functional relationships with internal customers, suppliers, and other supporting organizations
• Maintains strong relationships with key business partners and ensures their needs and the needs of the business are met and exceeded
• Resolves contract performance issues and disputes with suppliers, including safety, quality, material defects, and delivery problems, and may be responsible for negotiating refunds and / or settlements
• Implements measurement systems and KPIs that clearly indicate and track purchasing and supplier performance
• Ensures ethics, safety, health, and environmental standards are met by the organization and all suppliers within their portfolio, including the use of ISNetworld to manage supplier risk
• Strategically manages the entire portfolio of suppliers within their assigned category(ies)

Required Qualifications:

• Minimum 8 years’ relevant work experience required, preferably in petrochemicals or other non-durable goods manufacturing
• Bachelor’s degree in a supply chain, engineering, financial, construction management, or related field is preferred
• A minimum of 15 years relevant work experience may be acceptable in lieu of a degree

Preferred Qualifications:

• Strong logic, reasoning, analytical, and problem-solving skills
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, both written and oral
• Expert Level knowledge and understanding of procurement processes and strategic sourcing, including controls around the process
• Intellectual curiosity and willingness to “dig in” and learn more
• Knowledge of petrochemical or adjacent industries, including chemical plant and refining
• Strong negotiation skills, including both internally and externally
• Expert knowledge of contract terms and conditions and commercial contracting
• Expert knowledge of various contracting strategies for capital projects including, but not limited to, T&M, Lump-Sum, etc.
• Strong conflict / dispute resolution skills utilizing a facilitative approach
• Strong leadership, management, and staff development skills
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite products
• Working knowledge of large ERP systems (i.e., Oracle, SAP, etc.)