Manager Supply Chain Services – Contracts

Boardwalk•Houston, TX

21h•Onsite

About The Position

The Supply Chain Manager – Contracts & Category Management is responsible for leading the development, execution, and governance of enterprise-wide contracting strategies and category management programs supporting Boardwalk’s operations and growth objectives. This role transforms service-based and indirect spend from decentralized, transactional purchasing into structured, strategic categories with standardized contracts, competitive pricing frameworks, and strong supplier performance management. The position plays a critical role in driving commercial discipline, reducing cost variability, improving contract compliance, and delivering sustainable value through structured category strategies, advanced analytics, and executive stakeholder alignment. This role serves as a strategic advisor to senior leadership, ensuring category strategies align with enterprise priorities, financial objectives, and long-term operational needs.

Requirements

10+ years of experience in a strategic procurement, sourcing, contract management role
2-5 years previous supervisory experience
Excellent networking, interpersonal and collaborative skills
Proven organization skills and strong attention to detail
Strong computer skills including but not limited to, Oracle EBS and MS-Office Suite
Ability to handle multiple competing tasks efficiently in a fast-paced environment
Excellent problem solving, mathematical, and analytical skills

Nice To Haves

Interstate natural gas pipeline experience
Mechanical, structural or electrical knowledge, as well as understanding of natural gas pipeline system operations.

Responsibilities

Category Management & Commercial Strategy Develop, own, and continuously evolve formal category strategies aligned with enterprise objectives and business unit priorities.
Build and maintain comprehensive category plans incorporating demand forecasts, market dynamics, supplier strategies, and cost optimization opportunities
Drive demand aggregation, supplier consolidation, and standardization of scopes of work and pricing structures
Align category strategies with Operations, Engineering, and Finance to ensure support of both operational and financial objectives
Integrate innovative commercial models and contracting approaches to enhance long-term value
Contracting Strategy Governance Lead the development and governance of enterprise-wide contracting frameworks.
Establish and standardize MSAs, SOWs, pricing schedules, and commercial terms across all service categories
Implement governance models for contract approval, compliance, and lifecycle management
Drive transition from fragmented contracting to enterprise-wide agreements with preferred suppliers
Partner with Legal to strengthen contract templates, risk allocation, and commercial protections
Ensure contracts address key risks including pricing variability, scope ambiguity, indemnity, and performance obligations
Commercial ExecutionLead structured sourcing and negotiation strategies that deliver measurable business value.
Lead RFQs/RFPs with robust evaluation frameworks and clear award criteria
Develop negotiation strategies that deliver cost savings, improved terms, and long-term value creation
Implement transparent pricing models (rate cards, unit rates, performance-based structures)
Ensure sourcing activities align with category strategies and enterprise contracting frameworks
Supplier Relationship & Performance Management (SRM) Develop and lead a structured supplier management program.
Establish supplier segmentation and strategic partnership models for critical categories
Implement performance management frameworks including KPIs, scorecards, and business reviews
Drive supplier accountability across safety, quality, delivery, and commercial performance
Build long-term strategic partnerships with key suppliers to drive innovation and continuous improvement
Market Intelligence & Benchmarking Provide forward-looking market insights to inform strategy and decision-making.
Conduct ongoing analysis of market trends, cost drivers, supplier capacity, and emerging risks
Benchmark pricing, supplier strategies, and commercial models against industry peers
Establish regular reporting mechanisms to share market intelligence with leadership and stakeholders
Monitor emerging technologies and innovative service delivery models impacting category performance
Contract Compliance, Analytics & Continuous Improvement Drive disciplined contract compliance and continuous improvement across categories.
Implement processes to validate invoiced pricing against contracted terms and eliminate commercial leakage
Lead contract and category performance lookbacks to identify savings opportunities and improvement actions
Develop analytics and reporting to track compliance, supplier performance, and financial outcomes
Partner with Finance and IT to enhance visibility into spend, contract adherence, and savings realization
Financial Integration & Business Impact Align category strategies with financial planning and enterprise performance.
Provide category inputs into budgeting and forecasting processes, including cost drivers and savings projections
Support development of financial models by aligning commercial inputs with operational requirements
Identify and deliver cost reduction opportunities that directly impact EBITDA and cash flow
Ensure category strategies support working capital optimization and cost predictability
Supply Chain Risk & Business Continuity Lead proactive risk management and resilience planning.
Identify and manage risks related to supplier performance, pricing volatility, and market disruptions
Develop mitigation strategies including supplier diversification, contract protections, and demand planning
Provide leadership with insights on external risks including market, regulatory, and geopolitical factors
Cross-Functional Leadership & Stakeholder Engagement Serve as the primary commercial partner to the business.
Engage and influence senior leadership to gain alignment and approval for category strategies
Partner with Operations, Engineering, Project Management, Finance, and Legal to ensure integrated execution
Drive adoption of standardized contracting and sourcing practices across business units
Lead change management efforts as category management and contracting capabilities mature
Team Leadership & Capability Development Build and lead a high-performing category management organization.
Lead and develop category managers, contracts specialists, and sourcing professionals
Define roles aligned with category ownership and strategic execution
Provide coaching to elevate commercial, analytical, and negotiation capabilities
Foster a community of practice to share best practices and continuously improve performance
Process, Systems & Digital Enablement Drive modernization of contracting and category management processes.
Support implementation and optimization of Contract Lifecycle Management (CLM) systems
Partner with IT and data teams to develop analytics, dashboards, and reporting tools
Improve data quality, spend visibility, and supplier insights to enable better decision-making
Drive continuous improvement in procurement and contracting workflows