Senior Category Specialist

Job Type:
Regular

Plains is an industry-leading transportation and midstream provider specializing in transportation, storage, processing and marketing solutions for crude oil. We own an extensive network of pipeline transportation, terminalling, storage and gathering assets in key oil producing basins and transportation corridors and at major market hubs in the United States and Canada. The company is headquartered in Houston, Texas.

We're on the lookout for passionate self-starters who thrive in fast-moving, collaborative, and innovative environments.

The Senior Category Specialist owns high-value, complex spend categories across North America and delivers measurable business value through strategic sourcing, commercial negotiations, and category strategy execution. This role operates with a high degree of autonomy and partners cross-functionally to reduce total cost, manage risk, ensure compliance, and improve supplier performance across the full sourcing lifecycle.

Experience supporting technical, operations-driven categories common in midstream or industrial environments is highly desirable.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Sourcing & Category Leadership

• Lead end-to-end sourcing initiatives (RFx, supplier evaluation, negotiations, and contract award) for assigned categories
• Develop and execute multi-year category strategies aligned to business priorities, market conditions, and risk profiles
• Apply Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) principles to sourcing decisions and recommendations

Commercial & Contract Management

• Draft, review, and redline commercial agreements, including service contracts and long-term supply agreements
• Lead commercial negotiations to optimize pricing, terms, and risk allocation
• Partner with Legal and Risk to ensure contracts meet policy, regulatory, and business requirements

Supplier Performance & Relationship Management

• Serve as the primary relationship owner for key suppliers within assigned categories
• Establish performance metrics, lead supplier reviews, and drive corrective action plans
• Identify opportunities for innovation, continuous improvement, and value creation with suppliers

Analytics, Reporting & Insights

• Perform spend analysis, savings tracking, and cost modeling to support sourcing decisions
• Develop clear, executive-ready reports and dashboards to communicate results and performance
• Use data to identify trends, risks, and optimization opportunities

Cross-Functional Partnership

• Act as the single point of contact for assigned categories, partnering with Operations, Engineering, Finance, Legal, and Logistics
• Translate stakeholder needs into sourcing strategies and executable plans

Process Improvement & Governance

• Identify and lead initiatives to streamline sourcing processes, improve efficiency, and standardize best practices
• Ensure sourcing activities comply with internal policies and external regulatory requirements
• Maintain accurate documentation and support audit and governance needs

Risk Management

• Monitor market, supplier, and geopolitical risks impacting supply continuity and cost
• Develop and implement mitigation strategies, including supplier diversification and contractual protections

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Accounting, Finance, Engineering, or a related field
• 7+ years of experience in strategic sourcing, procurement, or supply chain management (10+ years preferred)
• Demonstrated success leading supplier negotiations, contract management, and category strategies
• Advanced proficiency in Excel and PowerPoint; experience with analytics tools (e.g., Power BI, SQL) preferred
• Strong analytical, communication, and stakeholder-management skills
• Proven ability to manage multiple priorities and deliver results independently
• Cleared criminal history (background) and satisfactory reference checks
• Compliance with the Company's drug and alcohol policy including pre-employment D&A testing.
• This position is not eligible for employment-based visa sponsorship. Applicants must be authorized to work in the U.S. for the duration of their employment

Preferred Category Experience
Experience supporting one or more of the following complex, technical spend categories is strongly preferred:

• Integrity Services - including In-Line Inspection (ILI), Non-Destructive Examination (NDE), and leak detection services
• Tank Services - including tank repair, cleaning, and inspection
• Electrical & Instrumentation (E&I) - including field services, maintenance, and project based work
• Chemical & Gases - including Corrosion, Drag Reducing Agents, Process Chemicals, and bulk gases

Core Competencies

• Strategic Thinking: Converts business needs and market insight into actionable category strategies
• Commercial Acumen: Understands cost drivers, supplier economics, and market dynamics
• Negotiation & Influence: Drives outcomes through effective negotiation and cross-functional alignment
• Analytical Rigor: Uses data to support decisions and quantify value
• Collaboration: Builds trusted partnerships across functions and levels
• Ownership & Accountability: Takes full responsibility for outcomes and execution

Work Environment

• Office-based role in Houston, TX
• Occasional domestic travel

#Plains

At Plains, our employees are our most valuable asset. Hard work is rewarded with competitive compensation and a top-tier benefits program designed to keep our employees safe, healthy and happy. We work hard to deliver the best results to our stakeholders, and we also respect our employees' need for personal and family time, which is reflected in our benefits program.

We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified individuals, without regard to age, race, color, national or ethnic origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, genetic information, disability, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. Applicants with disabilities can request accessible formats, communication supports, or other accessibility assistance by contacting View email address on click.appcast.io.

Salary details estimated by job boards such as Indeed, Glassdoor, and LinkedIn do not represent Plains' compensation structure. We thank all candidates for their interest; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.


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