Category Lead

Job Summary

• To develop and execute category sourcing strategies that ensure the reliable, cost-effective, and sustainable supply of materials, equipment, services, and critical inputs required for refinery and petrochemical operations.
• The role is responsible for maximizing value through strategic sourcing, supplier relationship management, commercial negotiations, market intelligence, and risk mitigation while ensuring compliance with procurement policies, governance standards, and business objectives.
• The Procurement Category Lead serves as the commercial focal point for assigned spend categories, driving total cost of ownership optimization, supply assurance, operational continuity, and continuous improvement to support the organization's operational excellence and profitability goals.

Scope of Responsibility

The Procurement Category Lead is accountable for managing assigned procurement categories, including but not

limited to:

• Process Chemicals and Catalysts
• Maintenance, Repair and Operations (MRO)
• Mechanical Equipment and Spare Parts
• Electrical and Instrumentation Materials
• Rotating and Static Equipment
• Engineering Services
• Logistics and Transportation Services
• Industrial Gases and Utilities
• Information Technology
• Corporate and Administrative Services
• Capital Project Procurement

Financial Scope

• Annual category spends ranging from USD 50 million to USD 500 million+ depending on portfolio.
• Responsible for identifying and delivering annual cost optimization targets.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

Category Strategy Development:

• Develop and maintain long-term category strategies aligned with business objectives.
• Conduct spends analysis and category segmentation.
• Develop sourcing roadmaps and procurement plans.
• Identify opportunities for cost optimization and value creation.
• Analyze market trends, risks, and supplier capabilities.

Strategic Sourcing:

• Lead end-to-end sourcing activities.
• Develop RFQ, RFP, and tender strategies.
• Evaluate supplier proposals and commercial offers.
• Conduct commercial negotiations and contract award recommendations.
• Ensure competitive sourcing and compliance with procurement policies.

Supplier Relationship Management:

• Develop strategic supplier partnerships.
• Conduct supplier performance reviews.
• Monitor supplier risk and business continuity plans.
• Drive supplier innovation and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Manage supplier development programs.

Contract Management Support:

• Collaborate with Contract Management teams during contract lifecycle.
• Support contract negotiations and renewals.
• Ensure contractual obligations are achieved.
• Resolve commercial disputes and claims.

Cost Management:

• Deliver annual savings and value creation targets.
• Drive total cost of ownership initiatives.
• Benchmark pricing against industry standards.
• Monitor commodity and market indices.
• Identify alternative sourcing opportunities.

Risk Management:

• Identify supply chain vulnerabilities.
• Develop mitigation plans for critical categories.
• Ensure dual sourcing where required.
• Support business continuity planning.
• Monitor geopolitical and market risks impacting supply

Governance and Compliance:

• Ensure adherence to procurement policies and procedures.
• Maintain audit-ready procurement documentation.
• Ensure ethical sourcing practices.
• Promote transparency and regulatory compliance.
• Support internal and external audits.

Stakeholder Engagement:

• Serve as procurement business partner to assigned functions.
• Align sourcing priorities with operational requirements.
• Support refinery shutdowns, turnarounds, and project execution.
• Facilitate cross-functional sourcing decisions.

Continuous Improvement:

• Implement category management best practices.
• Drive procurement digitization initiatives.
• Improve procurement cycle times.
• Enhance supplier collaboration platforms.
• Support procurement transformation programs.

Key Requirements

Education and Work Experience:

• Bachelor's Degree in Engineering, Supply Chain, Business Administration, Accounting, Economics or a related discipline; a postgraduate degree (MBA or relevant master's) is an added advantage
• Professional certification such as CIPS, CPSM, CSCP, CIPSMN, or equivalent is strongly preferred
• 8 - 12 years' progressive experience in procurement, category management, or process/operations roles within oil & gas, refining, or petrochemical environments
• Demonstrated expertise in category management, including development and execution of category strategies and delivery of measurable value outcomes
• Strong track record in strategic sourcing and commercial negotiations, including management of technical and performance-based contracts
• Experience in supplier and contract management, including engagement with catalyst manufacturers, licensors, and specialty chemical providers
• Proven ability to conduct technical supply market intelligence and analysis, including benchmarking, supplier evaluation, and product performance assessment
• Strong understanding of procurement planning, budgeting processes, and alignment with operational and process requirements
• Familiarity with standard sourcing methodologies, procurement systems, and chemical/material management practices
• Experience working within oil & gas, refining, petrochemical, or other asset-intensive industries is highly desirable

Behavioral Competencies:

Integrity and Ethics:

• Demonstrates transparency and accountability.
• Upholds procurement governance standards.

Results Orientation:

• Focuses on value delivery and business outcomes.
• Consistently achieves procurement targets.

Collaboration:

• Builds strong cross-functional relationships.
• Works effectively with suppliers and stakeholders.

Customer Focus:

• Understands internal customer needs.
• Delivers reliable procurement support.

Problem Solving:

• Identifies root causes.
• Develops practical and sustainable solutions.

Adaptability:

• Responds effectively to changing market conditions.
• Thrives in dynamic operational environments.

Communication:

• Communicate clearly and professionally.
• Presents recommendations confidently to leadership.

Leadership Competencies:

Strategic Thinking:

• Develops long-term sourcing strategies.
• Aligns category plans with business priorities.

Decision Making:

• Makes timely, fact-based procurement decisions.
• Balances commercial, operational, and risk considerations.

Stakeholder Management:

• Influences senior stakeholders.
• Builds alignment across business functions.

Change Leadership:

• Drives procurement transformation.
• Promotes innovation and continuous improvement.

Performance Management:

• Establishes clear targets.
• Monitors and improves category performance.

Business Acumen:

• Understands refinery economics.
• Connects procurement decisions to business value.

Digital Competencies:

ERP Systems:

• SAP S/4HANA
• SAP MM
• SAP Ariba
• Oracle ERP

Procurement Analytics:

• Spend analytics platforms
• Procurement dashboards
• KPI reporting systems

Data & Reporting Tools:

• Advanced Microsoft Excel
• Power BI
• Tableau
• Microsoft Power Platform

Digital Procurement Tools:

• E-Sourcing platforms
• Contract lifecycle management systems
• Supplier management portals
• Digital tendering systems

Emerging Technologies:

• AI-enabled sourcing tools
• Predictive analytics
• Procurement automation
• Digital supplier collaboration platforms

Functional Competencies:

Strategic Procurement & Category Management:

• Category strategy development
• Strategic sourcing
• Spend analysis
• Demand management
• Procurement planning

Commercial Management:

• Cost modeling
• TCO analysis
• Commercial negotiations
• Contract commercial evaluation
• Cost reduction methodologies

Supplier Management:

• Supplier relationship management
• Supplier development
• Supplier performance management
• Supplier risk assessment

Market Intelligence:

• Commodity market analysis
• Benchmarking
• Industry trend monitoring
• Supply market assessment

Risk & Governance:

• Procurement governance
• Supply risk management
• Compliance management
• Business continuity planning.