Manager, Category Management - Capital Projects

Manager, Category Management – Capital Projects 
Location: Houston, TX (Downtown, Houston)
Industry: Energy Infrastructure
Employment Type: Permanent/ Full-Time
Work Schedule: In Office, 5x days a week

NES Fircroft is a leading global technical recruitment company providing professional contract and permanent staff to a diverse worldwide client base across the energy, industrial, and process manufacturing sectors. Our client, major LNG Operator, has a permanent opportunity for a Manager, Category Management (Capital Projects) to be based in Downtown Houston, TX.

Position Overview 

NES Fircroft is partnering with a leading energy infrastructure organization that is undergoing a significant Supply Chain transformation. This opportunity is for an experienced Manager, Category Management – Capital Projects to lead strategic sourcing, category management, supplier relationships, and contract execution supporting major LNG, pipeline, power generation, and industrial capital projects.

This role will play a key part in developing and implementing category strategies that improve supply chain agility, mitigate risk, optimize supplier performance, and deliver measurable commercial value across complex capital programs.
The successful candidate will lead a team of Supply Chain professionals and collaborate closely with Project Development, Engineering, Construction, Operations, and Procurement stakeholders to support end-to-end category management activities.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a team of Supply Chain and Category Management professionals supporting capital projects and operational needs.
• Develop and execute category strategies across equipment, materials, and services supporting LNG, pipeline, and industrial infrastructure projects.
• Partner with engineering, project management, operations, and business stakeholders to align sourcing strategies with business objectives.
• Manage the full source-to-contract lifecycle including:
  • Supplier strategy development
  • Market analysis
  • RFP development and bid evaluations
  • Commercial negotiations
  • Contract execution
  • Post-award supplier performance management
• Negotiate and manage contracts including lump sum, fixed price, time-based, and multi-year agreements.
• Establish and maintain strong supplier relationships to improve performance, innovation, and value delivery.
• Drive compliance with procurement policies, contract governance, and supply chain best practices.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives as part of a broader Supply Chain transformation program.
• Develop Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) models and identify opportunities for cost optimization.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; Supply Chain, Business, Engineering, or related discipline preferred.
• 10+ years of experience in Category Management, Strategic Sourcing, Procurement, or Supply Chain leadership.
• Experience managing teams of direct and indirect reports.
• Strong background leading cross-functional teams across engineering, construction, operations, and procurement organizations.
• Proven experience with:
  • Strategic sourcing
  • Supplier negotiations
  • Contract development and execution
  • Supplier performance management
  • Competitive bidding processes
  • Source-to-contract and procure-to-pay processes

Preferred Experience

Candidates should have experience supporting capital-intensive industrial environments, including:

• LNG facilities
• Oil & Gas processing plants
• Chemical or refining facilities
• Pipeline infrastructure
• Power generation projects
• Large-scale industrial construction projects

Experience with the following categories is highly preferred:

• Valves
• Instrumentation & Electrical (I&E)
• Rotating equipment
• Compressors
• Engineering services
• EPC services
• Construction services
• Fabrication
• Technical consulting services

• Capital project stage-gate processes
• Procurement strategy development
• Capital equipment sourcing
• Contract novation
• ERP/procurement systems such as SAP, Oracle, Coupa, GEP, or JDE

Skills & Attributes

• Strong leadership and team development capabilities
• Excellent negotiation and stakeholder management skills
• Ability to influence senior leaders and cross-functional teams
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment
• Strong understanding of supply markets, contracting strategies, and commercial principles

Work Environment

This is a Houston-based position with occasional travel to operational and project sites. The role is primarily office-based with flexibility to work remotely when business needs allow.

Why Work Here

• Join a high-growth energy organization supporting some of the most critical LNG and infrastructure projects in the industry.
• Opportunity to influence and shape a modern Supply Chain organization through a major transformation initiative.
• Lead strategic initiatives that directly impact operational reliability, project execution, and commercial performance.
• Work alongside experienced professionals across engineering, construction, operations, and procurement.
• Strong company culture focused on teamwork, accountability, safety, integrity, and continuous improvement.
• Competitive compensation package and strong benefits including STIP, LTIP, 401K match, PTO, and more.
• Paid parking in Downtown or Park and Ride paid for by company.

 
About the Company
This is an excellent opportunity to become part of a leading LNG Operator. The successful applicant will receive a competitive annual compensation package, STIP, LTIP, generous medical benefits, PTO, matching 401K, holidays, and more. Candidate must have the authorization to work in the US without a visa or ongoing work permit. If interested in learning more about this opportunity, please apply directly or contact NES Fircroft for a confidential discussion, please contact Mishu Ventura.
 

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.