Lead, Contracts - Downstream

Caturus Management Services, LLC•Houston, TX

3d•Onsite

About The Position

The Downstream Contracts Lead supports business objectives by independently managing LNG contracts throughout their full lifecycle, including strategy development, sourcing, commercial design, execution, supplier management, tactical procurement, payables, and closeout. The role calls for strong commercial judgment, proactive risk identification and mitigation, and clear communication of contractual positions, risks, and recommendations to internal stakeholders and external contractors. The role works closely with Project, Operations, Maintenance, Engineering, Supply Chain, Legal, Finance, and HSE teams to align commercial activity with business objectives and company policies and industry best practices. The Lead serves as the primary SCM/Procurement contact and trusted business partner for the LNG organization, leading development and maintenance of the annual LNG contracting plan and regular stakeholder engagement. The position may require domestic travel to field offices, operational sites, vendor facilities, and contractor meetings, and requires a high regard for personal safety and the safety of company assets, employees, and the public.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Business, Supply Chain Management, Engineering, or a related field.
10+ years of contract management, commercial, supply chain, or procurement experience within the oil and gas industry.
Extensive experience developing category strategies, sourcing, and commercial models.
Experience negotiating, drafting, and administering complex commercial agreements in the oil and gas sector.
Strong understanding of industry-standard contracting structures, including MSAs, service orders, purchase orders, rate schedules, equipment rentals, turnaround and maintenance agreements, and project-based contracts.
Demonstrated experience supporting EPC, maintenance, facilities, logistics, and related LNG operational activities.
Strong knowledge of commercial risk allocation, indemnity provisions, insurance requirements, limitation of liability clauses, and regulatory considerations common to LNG operations.
Ability to analyze contractual, commercial, and operational issues and develop practical, business-focused solutions.
Demonstrated commercial judgment and problem-solving capability in high-value, time-sensitive, and operationally critical situations.
Strong stakeholder management skills and ability to work effectively across multidisciplinary teams and engage confidently with contractors, suppliers, and service providers.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to clearly articulate contractual positions, risks, and recommendations to audiences ranging from field personnel to executive leadership.
Ability to work independently with minimal supervision while managing multiple priorities and deadlines.
Strategic and analytical mindset focused on continuous improvement, operational support, and proactive risk management.
Ability to adapt quickly to changing operational priorities while maintaining accountability for results.
Strong proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint, for commercial analysis, documentation, and reporting.

Nice To Haves

LNG experience.
EPC experience.

Responsibilities

Develop category strategies, RFPs, bid packages, commercial evaluations, and contract documentation for assigned scopes of work.
Lead or facilitate strategic sourcing, commercial model development, and negotiations for LNG operations, maintenance, turnaround, inspection, logistics, utilities, environmental, facilities, and other service agreements.
Prepare and review redlines, issue logs, commercial analyses, and risk assessments; negotiate commercial terms within delegated authority and escalate key issues as required.
Manage assigned contracts and supply chain from award through execution, ensuring compliance with contractual, commercial, operational, and pricing obligations.
Review, negotiate, and administer Master Service Agreements in collaboration with Legal; manage work orders, purchase orders, purchase agreements, equipment rentals, service contracts, and amendments.
Facilitate and support vendor performance discussions.
Identify cost-saving opportunities, commercial efficiencies, and contract risks, and recommend practical solutions that support operational objectives.
Partner with operations and field teams to resolve commercial and contractual issues during execution.
Proactively identify issues, unclear direction, or information gaps and determine next steps independently.
Adapt to changing priorities, operational requirements, and business needs in a fast-paced environment.
Translate strategic business objectives into executable contracting and commercial actions without step-by-step direction.
Collaborate with Operations, Supply Chain, Legal, Finance, Engineering, and HSE teams to support effective and timely contract execution.
Serve as the primary SCM/Procurement point of contact and trusted business partner to the LNG organization for contracting, procurement, and supply chain matters.
Lead development, alignment, and maintenance of the annual LNG contracting plan, consolidating business demand, planned sourcing events, contract renewals, turnaround and maintenance requirements, priorities, schedules, and resource needs.
Establish regular engagement with LNG stakeholders to capture emerging needs, communicate SCM/Procurement strategies and requirements, resolve service issues, and report progress, risks, decisions, and value delivery against the annual contracting plan.
Maintain accurate, complete, and auditable contract and supply chain records and documentation.
Support contract-related reporting and provide timely status updates to management.
Demonstrate a hands-on, ownership-driven mindset and accountability for assigned work.
Perform additional duties and special projects as assigned.
Travel domestically to field offices, operational sites, vendor facilities, and contractor meetings, as required.
Maintain a high regard for personal safety and the safety of company assets, employees, and the public.