Supply Chain Category Manager - Production Operations

Crescent Energy•Houston, TX

About The Position

The Category Manager – Production / Operations is responsible for developing and executing category strategies that support safe, reliable, and cost-effective operations across a multi-basin asset base. This role serves as the commercial lead for critical Production and Operations categories (e.g., compression, chemicals, artificial lift, transportation and hauling), ensuring alignment with operational objectives, market conditions, and enterprise strategy. The position partners closely with Production, Facilities, Field Operations, Legal, and HSE to define requirements, execute sourcing strategies, mitigate supply and cost risk, and manage supplier performance. A key focus of this role is driving cost savings and optimization, ensuring continuity of supply, improving supplier performance, and leveraging market intelligence to inform decision-making.

Requirements

8+ years of supply chain, procurement, or category management experience in upstream oil and gas.
Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Business, Engineering, or related field required.
Demonstrated success leading strategic sourcing events and managing supplier relationships in complex, dynamic markets.
Strong working knowledge of production and operations categories, suppliers, and market dynamics.
Proven ability to develop and execute category strategies that deliver measurable value.
Strong commercial acumen with advanced negotiation and contract management skills.
Excellent analytical capabilities with the ability to access data from multiple sources, interpret data, develop meaningful insights, and provide actionable recommendations.
Ability to evaluate trade-offs across cost, operational performance, and supply availability risk.
Strong stakeholder management and collaboration skills, with the ability to influence without direct authority.
Effective communication and presentation skills, with the ability to convey complex information clearly.
Proactive, results-driven mindset with a focus on continuous improvement and value creation.
Ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced, operationally driven environment.
Strong problem-solving skills and sound judgment in high-impact decision-making.
Values team input, observations, suggestions and differences for their contribution to higher quality results.

Nice To Haves

Experience working in multi-basin or multi-asset environments is preferred.

Responsibilities

Develop, implement, and continuously refine category strategies across operating areas aligned with operational plans and company objectives.
Lead strategic sourcing initiatives, including RFPs, RFQs, and negotiations for critical services and materials.
Evaluate market conditions, supplier capabilities, and cost drivers to optimize sourcing decisions.
Identify and execute opportunities for cost savings, cost avoidance, and value creation.
Align sourcing strategies with long-term business planning, capital programs, and activity forecasts.
Establish and manage supplier performance frameworks, including KPIs, scorecards, and regular business reviews.
Drive continuous improvement with key suppliers across safety, service quality, cost, reliability, and innovation.
Develop and maintain strategic supplier relationships to ensure access to capacity, technology, and competitive pricing.
Lead issue resolution and supplier risk mitigation efforts.
Monitor market trends, supply/demand dynamics, and pricing benchmarks across assigned categories.
Provide insights and recommendations to stakeholders on market conditions, timing of sourcing events, and contracting strategies.
Maintain a strong understanding of key cost drivers and their impact on category spend.
Benchmark suppliers and pricing to ensure competitiveness and informed decision-making.
Identify and capture cost savings and optimization opportunities through strategic sourcing, demand management, and specification alignment.
Support budgeting and forecasting processes by providing category-specific cost assumptions and market outlooks.
Evaluate total cost of ownership and value trade-offs across sourcing options.
Collaborate with stakeholders to outline specifications and identify alternative solutions that deliver improved value.
Ensure continuity of supply for critical operations by proactively managing supply risks.
Assess and mitigate risks related to cost volatility, supplier capacity, operational performance, and logistics constraints.
Develop contingency plans and alternative sourcing strategies to maintain operational continuity.
Evaluate commercial, operational, and supply availability risks in all sourcing and contracting decisions.
Partner closely with Production, Field Operations, corporate leadership, and HSE teams to define requirements and align sourcing strategies.
Facilitate cross-functional decision-making, ensuring alignment with strategic objectives and operational priorities.
Communicate category strategies, market insights, and performance outcomes to stakeholders and leadership.
Influence stakeholders to adopt standardization, best practices, and value-driven sourcing decisions.