Category Specialist

Procurement

• Identify new opportunities, develop business cases, and drive change.
• Plan, coordinate, and develop category and contracting plans.
• Conduct market assessments, cost modelling, benchmarking and total cost of ownership analyses.
• Provide strategic and business alignment direction to the Refinery Procurement team on category, sourcing, contracting strategies, negotiation, and supplier management.
• Partner with the business to develop procurement strategies that deliver sustainable cost savings, ensuring alignment with business objectives and consistent application of strategic sourcing principles.
• Develop mechanisms and metrics to hold suppliers accountable for performance and delivery.
• Collaborate with suppliers and technical stakeholders to introduce new ideas, processes, and technologies into the facilities.
• Understand the needs of Reliability, Operations, Maintenance, and Capital Projects stakeholders, translating them into supply base strategies that enhance cost effectiveness and resilience.

Advisory

• Provide functional guidance on procurement processes and controls to the Refinery Procurement Manager, identifying opportunities for process improvement and efficiency.
• Support the rollout and implementation of procurement strategies, processes, standards, and guidelines.
• Act as a procurement advisor to the Procurement Manager and team, providing category guidance and implementing global and regional initiatives at a local level.
• Engage regularly with stakeholders to review project plans and drive service quality and supplier performance.
• Coordinate with internal stakeholders on legal, risk, and tax matters.
• Coordinates with Global Category Managers to seek advise and explore synergies for strategic contracts

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree, preferably in Engineering or Procurement/Supply Chain Management.
• 2–3 years’ experience in Procurement/Category Management within Oil & Gas, Pharmaceutical, Chemical, or related industries. Experience in a plant environment (e.g., terminal, refinery) is an advantage.
• In-depth understanding of Category Management, including category planning, strategic sourcing, contracting, supplier management, and strong negotiation skills.
• Experience with total cost ownership (TCO), Should Cost Modelling, and other category management techniques.
• Knowledge of refining/manufacturing commodities markets (e.g., maintenance, rotating equipment, catalysts & chemicals, projects).
• Experience providing project procurement support for capital projects.
• Ability to identify new opportunities, challenge the status quo, and drive change, including process improvements and simplification.
• Strong consensus-building, influencing, analytical, project management, change management, communication, and presentation skills.
• Proven team player with a strong drive for performance and results; consistent and reliable execution of work plans.
• Knowledge of refining process plants or similar manufacturing facilities is a plus.