Category Manager - EPC

Join a growing Gulf South energy utility and take ownership of high-impact strategic sourcing initiatives supporting major construction and capital investments. This direct-hire opportunity offers full benefits, a 10% bonus, and a hybrid schedule with Fridays remote , while giving you the chance to influence commercial strategy, supplier performance, contracting, and procurement processes across a large regulated utility.

The Category Manager will provide sourcing and supply chain leadership for major construction projects, materials, and services. This hands-on role requires 7+ years of strategic sourcing experience , strong capital project procurement expertise, and a background in the chemical, EPC, utility, or oil and gas industries . Working directly with business stakeholders and executive leadership, the Strategic Sourcing Lead will develop sourcing strategies, negotiate commercial terms, manage supplier performance, and provide contract lifecycle oversight while ensuring procurement activities support operational, financial, and project objectives.

Responsibilities

• Lead sourcing and procurement activities supporting construction projects and services valued at $20 million+ .
• Develop commercial sourcing strategies and contracting plans aligned with capital project and operational requirements.
• Lead competitive sourcing, supplier evaluation, negotiation, contract placement, and implementation.
• Optimize pricing, commercial terms, performance standards, service levels, and total value.
• Analyze market conditions, supplier capabilities, rates, incentives, and cost drivers to inform sourcing decisions.
• Manage strategic material procurement and supplier relationships in partnership with business stakeholders.
• Establish supplier performance frameworks, KPIs, and business review processes.
• Provide contract lifecycle oversight, including compliance, change orders, claims, disputes, and resolution.
• Leverage aggregated spend to improve pricing, contractual terms, and supplier service levels.
• Partner with project, operations, and executive stakeholders to ensure early Supply Chain involvement in planning and execution.
• Present sourcing strategies, commercial recommendations, risks, and supplier performance information to senior and C-suite leadership.
• Incorporate diverse and local suppliers into sourcing strategies in alignment with procurement requirements.
• Identify opportunities to streamline procurement workflows and improve operational efficiency.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of strategic sourcing experience required.
• Capital project contracting and procurement experience required.
• Experience within the chemical, EPC, utility, and/or oil and gas industry required.
• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Business, Accounting, Engineering, Finance, or a related discipline required; MBA preferred.
• Experience developing and executing sourcing strategies for large construction or capital project spend.
• Demonstrated experience with commercial negotiations, complex contracts, supplier performance, change orders, claims, and dispute resolution.
• Experience working directly with senior business stakeholders and executive leadership.
• Coupa experience preferred.
• Experience with SAP, Ariba, Oracle, PowerAdvocate, or other sourcing/procurement platforms.
• Knowledge of gas utility materials, equipment, and services highly desirable.
• Experience working within regulated environments preferred.
• Experience developing and managing supplier and procurement KPIs.
• Ability to work onsite Monday through Thursday in New Orleans, LA, with Fridays remote .