Category Manager (Logistics & Supply Chain)

Category Manager (Logistics & Supply Chain)

Location: Houston, TX
Schedule: 9/80 work schedule (Monday to Thursday in office, Fridays remote)
Rate: 72- 82/hr
Contract Duration: 12 months with potential extension

Position SummaryWe are seeking an experienced Category Manager to lead strategic sourcing, procurement, contracting, supplier management, and logistics category initiatives. This role will support business operations, capital projects, and supply chain activities by developing sourcing strategies, managing supplier relationships, negotiating contracts, and driving continuous improvement across logistics and transportation services.
This is a strategic, commercially focused position suited for a professional who can influence stakeholders, optimize supplier performance, identify cost-saving opportunities, and deliver value across complex supply chain and logistics operations.
Key Responsibilities

• Manage supplier relationships and category strategies across transportation, freight forwarding, warehousing, customs brokerage, materials management, and third-party logistics services.
• Develop and execute category management and contracting plans aligned with business objectives and project requirements.
• Conduct market analysis, benchmarking, cost modeling, and total cost of ownership evaluations to support sourcing decisions.
• Lead end-to-end sourcing events, including supplier selection, commercial evaluations, negotiations, contract awards, and implementation.
• Draft, review, negotiate, and manage contracts, service agreements, rate schedules, and commercial terms.
• Support capital projects and operations teams with logistics planning, transportation strategies, import/export requirements, and risk mitigation.
• Collaborate with project teams, engineering, construction, procurement, and logistics providers to identify and manage supply chain risks.
• Monitor supplier performance through KPI tracking, scorecards, governance reviews, corrective action plans, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Provide guidance on procurement processes, supplier governance, trade compliance requirements, and logistics best practices.
• Partner with regional and global stakeholders to implement sourcing initiatives, leverage strategic suppliers, and drive operational efficiencies.
• Prepare and present category performance reports, sourcing results, market intelligence, cost-saving opportunities, and risk assessments.

Required Qualifications

• High school diploma required; bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Logistics, Business, Engineering, Commerce, or a related field preferred.
• Minimum 5 years of relevant procurement, category management, logistics, transportation, supply chain, or sourcing experience.
• Strong knowledge of strategic sourcing, contract management, supplier relationship management, and procurement processes.
• Experience analyzing supplier proposals, pricing structures, cost drivers, and commercial opportunities.
• Understanding of import/export processes, customs requirements, transportation planning, Incoterms, and logistics risk management.
• Strong analytical, financial, negotiation, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities while working independently and collaboratively across teams.

With over 90 years' combined experience, NES Fircroft (NES) is proud to be the world's leading engineering staffing provider spanning the Oil & Gas, Power & Renewables, Chemicals, Construction & Infrastructure, Life Sciences, Mining and Manufacturing sectors worldwide. With more than 80 offices in 45 countries, we are able to provide our clients with the engineering and technical expertise they need, wherever and whenever it is needed. We offer contractors far more than a traditional recruitment service, supporting with everything from securing visas and work permits, to providing market-leading benefits packages and accommodation, ensuring they are safely and compliantly able to support our clients.