Category Management & Strategic Sourcing Manager - Prod Ops

Specific Responsibilities

The Category Management & Strategic Sourcing Manager for Apache Corporation will be a member of Apache’s Global Supply Chain team] at the company’s Houston, Texas office reporting to the Category Management & Strategic Sourcing Director. The Category Manager will lead a team in developing strategies to minimize the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) which includes leading strategic sourcing initiatives, contract negotiations and supplier performance management activities. This role will interact with Apache's Executive Leadership, operating assets, and relevant stakeholders to maximize opportunities and ensure buy-in. In addition, they will lead initiatives aimed at identifying opportunities for savings/value creation, and recommending changes required to drive higher performance for the organization. This person must have analytical and problem-solving skills, as well as the ability to lead a team to drive projects in adherence to their schedules. 

This role will be primarily responsible for the following:

• Develop and lead highly skilled group of Category Analyst and Advisors. 
• Lead and assist others in the development and implementation of category strategies for assigned categories. 
• Lead the identification and implementation of TCO (Total cost of ownership) reduction opportunities for the goods and services being evaluated. Optimize the total cost of the product or service by leveraging across markets, forming key supplier alliances, consolidating the supplier base, and exploring efficiencies involved in the supply chain. 
• Perform assessments for the goods and services being evaluated, develop detailed supply market analysis, and construct cost models to facilitate long-term management of Apache spend. 
• Construct comprehensive complex bid evaluation models incorporating relevant criteria and weightings with input from Key Stakeholders. 
• Manage the competitive bidding process for multiple lines of services both locally and globally as part of strategic sourcing events, including supplier communications. 
• Develop highly complex negotiation strategies by identifying and quantifying gives, takes and best alternatives. 
• Prepare and execute commercial agreements in a manner that ensures proper definition of the business relationship allocating / mitigating risk between Apache and the supplier. Ensure compliance with related policies and procedures. 
• Work with key Stakeholders, including Senior leadership, and suppliers to create accurate material forecasts, placing orders to ensure adequate inventory and safety stock levels avoiding any operational down time. 
• Drive Supplier performance management through measurement of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), communication of operational performance and identification of areas for improvement. 
• Develop detailed contract management plans with input from Stakeholders to ensure adherence to commercial / technical requirements.
• Identify and monitor leading supply market indicators to proactively adjust category strategies.

Qualifications & Experience

The successful candidate will have the following qualifications and experience:

• Bachelor's degree
• Master's degree in Business, Supply Chain Management or relevant discipline is preferred. 
• 8+ years of job related experience - Preferred
• Certified Professional in Supply Management (CPSM) – Preferred
• Membership of a recognized Supply Chain organization (CIPS, ISM) - Preferred
• Process driven, servant leader with the ability to drive efficient execution across transactional GSC activities.
• Ability to establish and manage exceptional operational performance demonstrating delivery to key metrics and objectives.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to achieve results through effective relationship management.
• Strong working knowledge of Category Management and Strategic Sourcing processes and tools.
• Strong people management skills and experience.
• Strong analytical and problem solving skills.
• Communication skills to augment supporting high risk operating assets and high exposure corporate requests.
• Ability to understand user needs, interact with the assets/functions and provide alternative solutions.
• Strong project management skills with the ability to establish priorities and drive teams to planned outcomes.
• Track record of leading high performing organizations that deliver challenging outcomes.
• Ability to establish and manage to effective operational and performance metrics to demonstrate delivery on objectives.
• Demonstrates drive and determination to achieve success.
• Strong commercial skills and business acumen.
• Ability to foster effective team