Senior Specialist, Category Management (Operations)

Tealenergi•Houston, TX

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Lead Specialist, Category Management is a key Supply Chain Management role responsible for managing a portfolio of contracts and overseeing the full contract lifecycle — from sourcing and contracting through implementation and ongoing management. This role partners closely with internal stakeholders and suppliers to drive compliance, efficiency, and value delivery while continuously improving sourcing and contracting processes, tools, and systems.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree preferred or equivalent combination of education and experience
Minimum of five (5) years of progressive experience in Supply Chain or Category Management
Strong understanding of sourcing, commercial terms, and contract negotiation
Experience with source-to-contract and procure-to-pay systems (ERP experience preferred)
Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Strong analytical, problem-solving, and organizational abilities
Ability to work effectively across functions in a fast-paced environment
Strong attention to detail with the ability to think strategically

Responsibilities

Serve as the single point of accountability for spend across assigned contracts
Partner with internal stakeholders to ensure compliance with delegated authorities, policies, and ethical standards
Support contract owners by gathering and reviewing supplier performance feedback
Coordinate with purchasing, supplier assurance, legal, insurance, treasury, and risk functions during contract negotiations
Partner with the Category Manager to support the development and execution of category strategies
Align sourcing and contract strategies with business needs and supply market capabilities
Lead supplier pre-qualification and qualification activities
Develop and manage RFPs, including total cost and value-based evaluation models
Negotiate commercial terms and contract structures with qualified suppliers
Prepare bid evaluations and supplier award documentation for approval
Ensure timely execution of high-quality contracts supporting safe, reliable operations
Maintain accurate contract documentation and records within enterprise systems
Support creation of Contract Purchase Agreements (CPAs) and Blanket Purchase Agreements (BPAs)
Manage post-award activities, including contract handover and supplier performance management
Act as a power user for sourcing and contract management systems
Perform data analysis to identify trends, insights, and improvement opportunities
Partner with centers of excellence to enhance category management practices
Support change management initiatives for new processes and systems
Develop clear visual reporting to support decision-making
Document and share best practices across the commercial team