Supply Chain Manager - Contracts and Category Management

Supply Chain Manager – Contracts and Category Management Houston, TX, USA Boardwalk is a limited partnership operating in the midstream portion of the natural gas and natural gas liquidsindustry, providing transportation and storage services for our customers. Our 14,000 miles of pipeline and storage assets provide diverse market connectivity to producers and end-users who need reliable sources of natural gas for power generation, home heating or petrochemical feedstocks. We have the experience, knowledge, and flexibility to design service offerings and create system enhancements tailored to our customers’ needs throughout the 13 states in which we operate. As an organization focused on sustainability, we are committed to protecting the environment while delivering this energy source. This commitment is made to our customers, employees, and the communities in which we operate. We incorporate environmental stewardship, safety, and compliance into our day-to-day operations and seek to strengthen and support the communities we serve. Additional information about the company can be found online at . We are currently seeking a Manager Supply Chain Services – Contracts for our Houston, TX office.

POSITION DESCRIPTION

The Supply Chain Manager – Contracts & Category Management is responsible for leading the development, execution, and governance of enterprise-wide contracting strategies and category management programs supporting Boardwalk’s operations and growth objectives. This role transforms service-based and indirect spend from decentralized, transactional purchasing into structured, strategic categories with standardized contracts, competitive pricing frameworks, and strong supplier performance management. The position plays a critical role in driving commercial discipline, reducing cost variability, improving contract compliance, and delivering sustainable value through structured category strategies, advanced analytics, and executive stakeholder alignment. This role serves as a strategic advisor to senior leadership, ensuring category strategies align with enterprise priorities, financial objectives, and long‑term operational needs. Key Responsibilities Category Management & Commercial Strategy Develop, own, and continuously evolve formal category strategies aligned with enterprise objectives and business unit priorities. Build and maintain comprehensive category plans incorporating demand forecasts, market dynamics, supplier strategies, and cost optimization opportunities Drive demand aggregation, supplier consolidation, and standardization of scopes of work and pricing structures Align category strategies with Operations, Engineering, and Finance to ensure support of both operational and financial objectives Integrate innovative commercial models and contracting approaches to enhance long‑term value Lead the development and governance of enterprise‑wide contracting frameworks. Establish and standardize MSAs, SOWs, pricing schedules, and commercial terms across all service categories Implement governance models for contract approval, compliance, and lifecycle management Drive transition from fragmented contracting to enterprise‑wide agreements with preferred suppliers Partner with Legal to strengthen contract templates, risk allocation, and commercial protections Ensure contracts address key risks including pricing variability, scope ambiguity, indemnity, and performance obligations Commercial Execution Lead structured sourcing and negotiation strategies that deliver measurable business value. Lead RFQs/RFPs with robust evaluation frameworks and clear award criteria Develop negotiation strategies that deliver cost savings, improved terms, and long‑term value creation Implement transparent pricing models (rate cards, unit rates, performance‑based structures) Ensure sourcing activities align with category strategies and enterprise contracting frameworks Develop and lead a structured supplier management program. Establish supplier segmentation and strategic partnership models for critical categories Implement performance management frameworks including KPIs, scorecards, and business reviews Drive supplier accountability across safety, quality, delivery, and commercial performance Build long‑term strategic partnerships with key suppliers to drive innovation and continuous improvement Provide forward‑looking market insights to inform strategy and decision‑making. Conduct ongoing analysis of market trends, cost drivers, supplier capacity, and emerging risks Benchmark pricing, supplier strategies, and commercial models against industry peers Establish regular reporting mechanisms to share market intelligence with leadership and stakeholders Monitor emerging technologies and innovative service delivery models impacting category performance Drive disciplined contract compliance and continuous improvement across categories. Implement processes to validate invoiced pricing against contracted terms and eliminate commercial leakage Lead contract and category performance lookbacks to identify savings opportunities and improvement actions Develop analytics and reporting to track compliance, supplier performance, and financial outcomes Partner with Finance and IT to enhance visibility into spend, contract adherence, and savings realization Financial Integration & Business Impact Align category strategies with financial planning and enterprise performance. Provide category inputs into budgeting and forecasting processes, including cost drivers and savings projections Support development of financial models by aligning commercial inputs with operational requirements Identify and deliver cost reduction opportunities that directly impact EBITDA and cash flow Ensure category strategies support working capital optimization and cost predictability Supply Chain Risk & Business Continuity Lead proactive risk management and resilience planning. Identify and manage risks related to supplier performance, pricing volatility, and market disruptions Develop mitigation strategies including supplier diversification, contract protections, and demand planning Provide leadership with insights on external risks including market, regulatory, and geopolitical factors Cross‑Functional Leadership & Stakeholder Engagement Serve as the primary commercial partner to the business. Engage and influence senior leadership to gain alignment and approval for category strategies Partner with Operations, Engineering, Project Management, Finance, and Legal to ensure integrated execution Drive adoption of standardized contracting and sourcing practices across business units Lead change management efforts as category management and contracting capabilities mature Team Leadership & Capability Development Build and lead a high‑performing category management organization. Lead and develop category managers, contracts specialists, and sourcing professionals Define roles aligned with category ownership and strategic execution Provide coaching to elevate commercial, analytical, and negotiation capabilities Foster a community of practice to share best practices and continuously improve performance Process, Systems & Digital Enablement Drive modernization of contracting and category management processes. Support implementation and optimization of Contract Lifecycle Management (CLM) systems Partner with IT and data teams to develop analytics, dashboards, and reporting tools Improve data quality, spend visibility, and supplier insights to enable better decision‑making Drive continuous improvement in procurement and contracting workflows

REQUIRED EDUCATION

10+ years of experience in a strategic procurement, sourcing, contract management role 2‑5 years previous supervisory experience Excellent networking, interpersonal and collaborative skills Proven organization skills and strong attention to detail Strong computer skills including but not limited to, Oracle EBS and MS‑Office Suite Ability to handle multiple competing tasks efficiently in a fast‑paced environment Excellent problem solving, mathematical, and analytical skills

PREFERRED EDUCATION

Interstate natural gas pipeline experience Mechanical, structural or electrical knowledge, as well as understanding of natural gas pipeline system operations.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Boardwalk Pipelines, LP, maintains a drug‑free workplace and will require pre‑employment drug & substance abuse testing before hiring. Boardwalk Pipelines, LP, is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment regardless of race, color, religion, age, sex, gender identity, national origin, veteran, or disability status. #J-18808-Ljbffr Bwpmlp