Category Manager

Our client is currently recruiting for the position of Category Manager, based in Aberdeen.

Responsibilities:

End-to-end Category Management

• Provides a very good knowledge and understanding of end-to-end Category Management within the Wells & Subsurface categories.
• Ensures value is maximised from the contract negotiation through the whole life cycle of the category.
• Works closely with business stakeholders to understand their needs in detail, both for the immediate and/or future Wells & Subsurface requirements.
• Develops a robust sourcing strategy for use within the Wells & Subsurface categories, which delivers breakthrough results and year on year continuous improvement.
• Undertakes category and project-related assessments to generate innovative opportunities and robust strategic sourcing plans.
• Reviews the specific category set up and looks for ways to better manage it: in order to improve value delivery, eliminate waste, improve sourcing leverage and reduce administrative burden.
• Working as a Business Partner with key internal stakeholders, manage all procurement activity across the Wells & Subsurface expenditure categories. This includes the creation and implementation of category plans or contract strategies that will ensure delivery in line with business objectives, regulatory requirements and the landing of all value negotiated.
• Carry out negotiations to ensure that value is delivered throughout the whole life cycle of the contract.
• Provide some input into the corporate investment and value assurance framework process in support of Wells & Subsurface projects.

External Market Expertise:

• Demonstrate a good knowledge of the Wells and Subsurface market.
• Be seen by the business as the Procurement / commercial go-to person for some Wells & Subsurface categories related matters.
• Understand the category and provide some leadership and insight for the business on all aspects of market dynamics, regulatory framework, suppliers and technical innovations.
• Report changes and updates in the market through proactive governance.

Team Contribution

• Plan and manage the framing session for high level Wells projects.
• Support the team with the preparation of the overall procurement strategy (OPS) for specific projects.
• Support the identification of improvement opportunities, helping to define and drive change with peers across the team and PSC in general.
• From time to time, manage the monthly dialogue meeting with the Wells and Subsurface stakeholders.
• Occasionally review papers written by the other members of the team.
• Support the review of papers and contributions for Non-ops assets.
• Provide input for the preparation of the Supply Chain Action Plan (SCAP) for specific projects as required by OGA.
• Support the team to provide relevant information to key external authorities such as the OGA, CMA, etc.

Procurement:

• Source and procure a range of goods and services across one or more Wells & Subsurface categories, ensuring optimum value for money within defined service and quality criteria.
• Identify opportunities for, lead and evaluate competitive tenders and proposals for the supply of goods and services, negotiating with suppliers on all commercial and contractual matters and applying judgement as to what constitutes an acceptable level of contractual risk and supply resilience.
• Create negotiation strategies and support/lead complex negotiations.
• Deliver a "fit for purpose" sourcing and selection approach which is flexible, and delivery focussed.

Contracts:

• Draft, negotiate and obtain agreement to contracts, ensuring that operational and commercial risks to the business are fully understood and minimised.
• Engage internal stakeholders such as the Line (Wells and Subsurface), HSE, Legal, Insurance and Finance when negotiating a contract, to ensure that all related risks have been adequately reviewed and acceptable.
• Manage all cost reconciliation and contract close out activities at the end of a project or at contract expiration for assigned contract portfolio.

On-going improvements & delivery of Value Add:

• Identify and achieve defined improvement to the bottom line and cost saving targets by examining total acquisition costs and working closely with internal stakeholders and suppliers.
• Forecast future expenditure patterns within key business segments, developing appropriate strategies to ensure budgeted value improvements are proactively identified and implemented.
• Challenge business plans where alternate opportunities exist to deliver higher value outcomes, ensuring all options have been duly evaluated.

Supplier Management

• Within the Category Management framework, develop, build and maintain supplier engagement through appraisal and performance monitoring, value analysis, continuous improvement, supplier / supply base development, compliance and demand management.
• Coordinate multiple stakeholder interfaces and touch points across the business to ensure a consistent approach.
• Ensure compliance to contract terms, both legal and commercial (including value delivery).
• Lead the discussion on management of contractual risk and agree in conjunction with senior stakeholders' steps to ensure remediation or reduction.
• Provide effective overview of supplier performance to contract and support operational teams, if performance issues arise.
• Manage commercial interfaces between senior stakeholders from the business and suppliers.
• Drive communication between the key internal stakeholders and suppliers to ensure a consistent approach.
• Resolve contractual and supplier disputes when they occur, protecting the interests of the business at all times and engaging Legal Business Partners where required. Gain appropriate remediation/recompense for the business if appropriate.
• Ensure robust working relationships with any pre-existing business embedded SRM functions, creating an efficient and seamless flow of activity between the teams for the projects or categories being managed.
• Consult in the budgeting process in relation to supplier spend and engage on supplier cost saving initiatives, leading where appropriate.
• Challenge requirements and re-negotiate contracts in life and at renewal to optimise value and drive cost savings.

Team and Tools (including People Management where applicable):

• Support the recruitment, selection, training, development, management of staff to maintain a high level of commitment in a team-working environment that allows full development and use of individual competencies.
• Be a constructive integral member of the wider P&SC teams, actively supporting the development and delivery of the P&SC strategic plans and objectives.
• Identify and implement opportunities for the appropriate use of e-sourcing techniques and e-technologies to increase commercial value and/or process efficiency.
• Support junior members of the team to build and improve their supply chain skills as well as during complex negotiations.
• Participate in both Wells and P&SC general team events, in order to foster relationships and break down silos.

Safety and Compliance

• Identify any operational and regulatory risks associated with the work and escalating these as appropriate.
• Operate information systems to the required standard to maintain accurate and secure records.
• Support the roll out of IFW for new contracts/contractors.
• Understand and adhere to the company and department standards, policies and procedures.
• Adhere to the Competence and Training procedures, to promote a culture where customers are treated fairly and are properly informed.

Supporting the Head of Category:

• Establishing and maintaining the team's role as external market experts for the assigned categories/contracts.
• Supporting the drive for value delivery for the organisation and ensuring an appropriate culture in line with company values - and with a context of continuous improvement.
• Manage identified key risk indicators in relation to assigned contracts.
• Manage assigned key supplier relationships, taking a company-wide perspective where required.
• Support and actively contribute to HSES objectives and ensure managed contracts consider such as the highest priority.

Experience & Qualifications:

• Clear understanding of Category Management principles.
• Detailed understanding of relevant/assigned Wells & Subsurface categories.
• Excellent knowledge of the end-to-end Category Management including market insight, business partnering, negotiation, on-going supplier management and governance relating to assigned portfolio.
• Experience of complex business significant categories of expenditure through multiple functions within Category Management and maximising value to the business.
• Demonstrable track record of transformational value delivery through identification and implementation of innovative sourcing strategies, continuous improvement plans and demand management.
• Understanding of general and contract law and applications of LOGIC models (where applicable), in contract development, execution and dispute resolution.
• Demonstrable track record of leading complex contract negotiations.
• Commercial Know-How: Managing for value, is the external market expert, and understands our customers.
• Can own delivery elements of category wide improvement project.
• Competent in use of Company business tools - SAP, MS Packages, Contiki.
• Ability to lead/champion Supplier Relationship and Performance Management.
• Ability to ensure business compliance with Supply Chain Process.
• Degree educated (preferably in Science or Engineering) or appropriate relevant in work experience.
• MBA or MSc in Supply Chain Management will be an added advantage.
• Membership of CIPS (MCIPS) or equivalent.
• Engagement up to a senior level, demonstrating the ability to influence stakeholders and manage conflicting views. Effective networking and business partnering skills.
• Relevant experience supporting the Wells and/or Subsurface categories.
• Experience of working in a matrix organisation.
• Evidence of managing a mid-complex to complex category through the whole life cycle, ensuring the value created in the negotiation stage hits the bottom line.
• Advanced influencing, persuading and negotiating skills.
• Ability to present complex ideas/concepts and take a consultative approach with stakeholders and peers.
• Excellent analytical skills with the ability to identify and expeditiously exploit commercial opportunities.
• Advanced skills using MS Office including Outlook, Word, Excel and PowerPoint as well as Contiki and SAP.
• Relevant experience in procurement/category roles supporting the Wells and/or Subsurface functions.
• A proven record of significant cost reductions in goods and services.
• MCIPS or equivalent

Contract position

If you feel that you are well suited to the above opportunity and would like to find out more then please contact Orion Group for more information or apply by forwarding your current CV quoting reference: TR/054618.

Our role in supporting diversity and inclusion
As an international workforce business, we are committed to sourcing personnel that reflects the diversity and values of our client base but also that of Orion Group. We welcome the wide range of experiences and viewpoints that potential workers bring to our business and our clients, including those based on nationality, gender, culture, educational and professional backgrounds, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, disability, and age differences, job classification and religion. In our inclusive workplace, regardless of your employment status as staff or contract, everyone is assured the right of equitable, fair and respectful treatment.