Lead Specialist, Category Management (Supply Chain)

About the Role

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.

Responsibilities

Stakeholder & Contract Management

• 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

Category Strategy

• 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

Sourcing, Contracting & Negotiation

• 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

Process Improvement & Analytics

• 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

Qualifications

• 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
• Experience with contract execution and sourcing
• Exposure to contracting/ sourcing tools (Ariba, GEP, Jaggaer, etc.)

Required Skills

• 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

Pay range and compensation package

• Status: Non-Exempt
• Contract to Perm
• Location: Houston, TX (Downtown)
• Work Schedule: 5/40 (5 days/week in office)

Equal Opportunity Statement

TealEnergi is committed to fostering, cultivating and preserving a culture of diversity, equity and inclusion. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, age, disability, ethnicity, gender or gender identity, language, national origin, physical or mental ability, political affiliation, religion, sexual orientation, or protected veteran status.