Category Management Lead

Brunel Energy is recruiting a Category Management Lead to work with a major oil and gas company on a 6-months contract in Houston, TX. Key Responsibilities: Develop and execute category management strategies that align with business objectives related to cost, operational efficiency, supplier performance, and safety. Lead strategic sourcing activities, including market analysis, RFx processes, supplier evaluations, commercial negotiations, and contract awards. Manage the full contract lifecycle for Master Service Agreements (MSAs), Material Agreements, and other strategic contracts, including post-award contract management. Build strong relationships with internal stakeholders across Operations, Maintenance, Engineering, Supply Chain, and Finance to understand business requirements and deliver procurement solutions. Lead commercial negotiations with suppliers to achieve favorable pricing, contract terms, and long-term value while mitigating commercial risk. Manage critical spend categories supporting industrial or energy operations, ensuring supply continuity and contract compliance. Identify and implement cost-saving and value improvement initiatives through strategic sourcing, supplier optimization, and category planning. Monitor supplier performance through KPIs and continuous improvement initiatives to ensure service quality and operational excellence. Support procurement governance by ensuring compliance with company policies, procurement procedures, and contractual obligations. Analyze spend data and market trends to develop sourcing recommendations and drive continuous improvement across assigned categories.