Manager, Supply Chain - Category Management

At Williams, we’re powering a cleaner, more connected future, and that starts with you. Here, your work fuels communities, drives innovation, and helps deliver reliable energy the world depends on. Join a Fortune 500 team that invests in your growth, values your contributions, and challenges you to make a lasting impact every day.

As Manager, Supply Chain - Category Management, you lead a team of Category Managers supporting operational continuity and project execution. Your scope spans major equipment, construction, engineering and field services, electrical and automation, pipe/PVF, compression, and inspection. You partner with engineering, project development, project execution, operations, finance, and legal to anticipate demand and remove barriers before they affect schedule or cost. You guide RFx and negotiations covering price, delivery, warranties, performance guarantees, and risk allocation. When supplier corrective actions fail, you escalate issues or exit relationships while developing alternatives to protect business continuity.

Responsibilities/Expectations:

• Optimizes total cost of ownership, mitigates risk, collaborates with internal partners and critical suppliers
• Leads supplier negotiations, optimizes inventory and handles spend to mitigate risk in operations and/or projects efficiently and competitively
• Ensures supply chain policies are developed, implemented and carried out
• Responsible for the company's procurement, inventory, transportation and logistics programs
• Demonstrates a focus on continuous improvement to simplify processes, increase efficiencies and enhance business continuity plans
• Ensures all goods/services procured meet quality and safety requirements as set forth by the organization
• Coordinates workforce planning and career development for direct employees
• Lead all aspects of effective communication with and support of operations, project execution, business development, and accounting
• Develops category-specific market and sourcing strategies by evaluating supplier capabilities, market dynamics, demand forecasts, and business requirements
• Conducts category segmentation and market assessments to identify supply constraints, emerging technologies, alternative sources, and opportunities that strengthen long-term category positioning
• Establishes category performance measures and governance routines to monitor sourcing outcomes, supplier commitments, contract effectiveness, and realization of expected business value
• Partners early with operations, engineering, and project teams to translate future demand and technical requirements into actionable category plans that support capital projects and operational needs
• Other duties as assigned

Education/Years of Experience:

• Required: Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Finance, Construction, Accounting, Business, Engineering or Energy Management and a minimum of seven (7) years of progressive experience in related function
• Preferred: Bachelor's degree and a minimum of ten (10) years of progressive experience in related function; ISM Certification

Other Requirements:

• Demonstrates enterprise awareness and safety as the utmost priority
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Application and PC skills, with emphasis in Excel and PowerPoint
• Develops and applies strategy and tactics to resolve sophisticated supply chain problems
• Global awareness of commodity and supply chain impacts, enterprise perspective
• Exhibits change management, leadership and interpersonal skills
• Preferred: Significant leadership experience; may be formal or informal
• Preferred: Detailed knowledge of procurement processes and procedures
• Preferred: Proficiency in data analytics and Power BI
• Preferred: Demonstrated experience developing and executing category strategies aligned with business demand, market conditions, and long-term sourcing objectives
• Preferred: Experience conducting category segmentation, market assessments, supplier capability analysis, and demand forecasting to support strategic sourcing decisions
• Preferred: Ability to translate technical, operational, and project requirements into actionable category and sourcing strategies
• Preferred: Experience establishing and monitoring category performance measures to evaluate sourcing outcomes, supplier commitments, contract effectiveness, and realized business value

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Why Houston?

Big career opportunities in one of the world’s energy capitals, endless food spots and a diverse vibe—all without paying NYC or LA prices. Work hard, live better. Check out Houston.org to learn more.

We invest in our people in ways that actually show up in your day-to-day, not just on paper. Our Total Rewards are built to support how you work, live, and plan for what’s next.

Here’s a look at what that means:

• Strong pay plus an annual incentive program
• Medical, dental, and vision coverage with options that fit your life, not the other way around
• 401(k) with company match and an annual company contribution
• Paid time off, including company and floating holidays
• Paid parental leave (up to six weeks per parent), plus fertility and adoption support
• Advanced AI tools and resources to help level up and work smarter
• Clear paths to grow your career, with a strong culture of promoting from within
• Tuition reimbursement and support for continuing education
• HSA and FSA options
• Company-paid life insurance and disability coverage
• Employee stock purchase plan
• Domestic partner benefits
• Employee resource groups, wellness support, paid volunteer time, and company matching for causes you care about

Eligibility and benefits are governed by the terms of the applicable plan or program document which can be amended or terminated at any time.

For more information, please visit Total Rewards | Williams Companies.

Williams is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, national origin, age, marital status, disability, veteran status, genetic information or any other basis protected under applicable discrimination law.

Education Requirements:

Skill Requirements: