Advisor, Category Management Project Execution

At Cheniere, we provide the world with safe, reliable energy in the form of LNG.  But more than that, we provide opportunities for our employees to make an impact on their local communities every day. Our diversity is key to our continued success and forges a path where our culture supports greater equity and inclusion for our employees, customers and beyond.

Cheniere Supply Chain Management (SCM) is shaping our future with a focused transformation program.  We are mobilizing to establish an agile and resilient supply chain that is fit to support our company’s growth.  The Cheniere SCM team are accountable to support our business partners to create value, mitigate risk and assure security of supply.   We are building a team of SCM professionals that not only deliver value today but create a more agile and resilient supply chain for the future.  

POSITION OVERVIEW
The Advisor, Category Management will report to Manager, Category Management Capital Projects and support the Project Development and Engineering and Construction (E&C) capital project functions. This position will specialize and focus on power generation and liquefaction materials, equipment and services, leading the sourcing, contracting, onboarding and contract management for major infrastructure projects, with responsibilities spanning strategy, supplier relationships management, post contract award activities, technical collaboration, and cost control.

The Advisor is responsible for overseeing, managing, and coordinating procurement activities for specifically assigned projects related to power generation. This role ensures that all materials, equipment, and services are acquired on time, within budget, and in compliance with specifications, SCM, Company, and regulatory requirements.  The Advisor will be responsible to integrate and manage activities across various Company stakeholders, functions, and suppliers to support successful project delivery. 

This is a non-DOT position.

KNOWLEDGE
Deep understanding of electric power generation and/or utility plant construction or operations, with significant working knowledge of LNG or Oil & Gas plant or pipeline construction or operations.  
 
RESPONSIBILITIES AND ESSENTIAL DUTIES
o    Manage power generation capital project supply chain activities, including but not limited to: 
o    Drive and manage third party service providers in connection with supply chain services efforts, which consist of preparing engineered equipment packages/orders including preparing RFx, commercial and technical bid evaluations, expediting, inspection, planning/coord traffic/logistics, import duties/tariffs, etc.
o    Manage and maintain current and planned supply chain purchase orders, including preparation and issuance of purchase orders and contracts, processing confidentiality agreements, negotiating commercial and template terms and conditions with third parties and in coordination with multiple internal functions, managing third party service providers in respect of all matters noted above, together with all power generation capital project specific scoping requirements, which in addition to inside-the-fence requirements, will include transmission scope, aux boiler scope, raw water scope, potential for heavy haul surveys, or other subcontractor work needed to expedite third party procurement, construction, construction management, and other service providers.
o    Support and coordinate with relevant internal functions in connection with all power generation capital project scoping/order requirements, including commissioning/start-up scope/contract/order needs, related start-up spare requirements as applicable, and operations and maintenance team planning and support
o    Coordinate logistics/heavy haul with applicable owner-furnished equipment suppliers
o    Drive and manage third party construction contractor procurement efforts, which may include purchase orders on third party contracting forms, including, for example, bulk material orders such as pipe, structural steel, electrical cable, etc., as applicable
o    Manage supply chain costs, invoicing, and peripherals associated with support for sales/use tax or any duties/imports on all purchase orders/agreements in coordination with relevant internal functions, and managing third party service providers in connection with similar matters as to purchase orders/agreements in place or planned under reimbursable or similar arrangements
o    Maintain detailed forecasts and manage compliance with Required on Site (ROS) dates for all suppliers with respect to equipment and material, ensuring robust schedule maintenance (validating, expediting, and forecasting) among third party service providers
o    Develop relationships with Engineering and Construction partners and suppliers to align business needs, supplier capability, and drive performance and best practices.  
o    Establish and facilitate Supplier Performance Management meetings with appropriate cadence.  
o    Collaborate with SCM sub-functions and business partners to assure ways-of-working meet company policy, HSE requirements, compliance, ethics, and delegated authorities.   
o    Develop and implement sourcing strategies to manage RFP/RFQs to solicit and evaluate supplier proposals, create award recommendations, and deliver various types of contracts and/or purchase orders associated with capital project procurement.
o    Draft and negotiate complex contract terms across various supply, service, joint venture, and EPC agreements to support engineering, construction and commissioning and operating of power generation and LNG assets. 
o    Oversee and manage the integration of Cheniere and 3rd Party Supplier procurement processes to create end-to-end procurement solutions.
o    Evaluate supplier performance and maintain strong supplier relationships to ensure cost-effectiveness and quality performance.  
o    Oversee procurement schedules and expediting activities to guarantee timely delivery of materials, equipment, and services.  
o    Collaborate closely with project managers, engineers, and finance teams to forecast procurement needs and resolve potential supply chain risks.  
o    Monitor procurement KPIs, track spending, and generate reports for leadership on cost savings and procurement efficiency.  
o    Manage claims, variations, and contract amendments to minimize risks and ensure accountability.  
o    Drive continuous improvement in procurement practices and supply chain efficiency.  
o    The duties and responsibilities described are not a comprehensive list, and additional tasks may be assigned to the employee from time to time; or the scope of the job may change as necessitated by business demands.

QUALIFICATIONS (EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS) 
Education and Certifications:  Bachelor's degree in supply chain management, business, engineering, construction management, or related field.  

Experience:  Minimum of ten (10) years’ relevant, hands-on experience with procurement processes, contract management, and supply chain best practices. Experience must include: 
•    Supply chain sourcing, contracting, purchasing, expediting, inventory and contract management
•    Negotiating engineering and construction and capital equipment contracts
•    Managing supplier relationships
•    Capital project stage gate processes
•    Power generation equipment such as turbines, transformers, heat recovery steam generators, etc.
•    Source-to-contract and purchase to pay systems i.e. Oracle, SAP, GEP, Coupa, JDE, etc.

Skills:
•    Excellent communication, negotiation, and stakeholder management abilities
•    Strong organizational and problem-solving skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously
•    Advanced MS Office skills
•    Proficiency in ERP or similar procurement software and central contract management system
•    Collaborative, teamwork approach with alignment with company values

DIRECT REPORTS 
None 
 
WORK CONDITIONS 
•    Physical Area: Our Houston office is in the heart of downtown, and we offer free parking or a metro ticket. With all corporate teams at the same location, there’s always a buzz around the office. You will have dedicated desk space and plenty of human interaction.  
•    Facilities and hardware: Our offices are modern, bright, and designed to foster collaboration. You will have access to great IT (Information Technology) equipment and support and can readily access the downtown tunnels, restaurants, and gyms. You may occasionally need to travel to our sites at Sabine Pass and Corpus Christi, and those sites are governed by FTZ (Foreign Trade Zone) regulations which do include drug and alcohol testing.   
•    Working conditions: Cheniere is committed to improving the well-being of our employees and while you may need to work outside the usual working hours, we aspire to provide a good work life balance for all.  
•    Company culture: So, what is the culture like at Cheniere? It is our values — teamwork, respect, accountability, integrity, nimbleness, and safety — at work. We are happy when we hear employees say we have a great culture. But we are not satisfied with building a great culture, we are endeavoring to build the best culture.  
•    Job is performed in a typical office environment, but is subject to time pressures and constraints, and is often dependent on input from others.  
•    Occasionally, work may be performed from home, after normal work hours or on weekends. 
•    In-office hours Monday through Friday.
•    Regular travel will be required (approx. 35% of the time). 
•    Subject to drug and alcohol testing, per applicable federal regulations or as required by Cheniere.

FREEDOM TO ACT
Ability to multi-task and function in a highly dynamic atmosphere; must exercise discretion independently.

ADA JOB REQUIREMENTS
Reasonable accommodation will be made to ensure that the essential functions of the job can be performed and not hinder the employee's performance due to physical, mental, or emotional disability.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
Cheniere Energy is an equal opportunity workplace. All employment decisions are made without regard to sex, race, color, religion, national origin, citizenship, age, disability, marital or veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other legally protected categories. This includes providing reasonable accommodation if requested for disabilities or religious beliefs and practices.