Category Manager - E&I

Responsibilities

• Strategic Sourcing and Category Management
• Set the vision, craft and execute category management strategies for electrical equipment, instrumentation, and associated services.
• Perform market analysis (including ‘should-cost modeling) and leverage supply chain knowledge to understand and articulate market trends that may impact internal stakeholders and category strategies.
• Collaborate with key stakeholders and senior leadership to forecast demand, define scope, identify risks, and analyze supplier capabilities.
• Manage bid solicitation, evaluation, negotiation, contract execution, implementation, and post award management.
• Identify opportunities for supplier consolidation, preferred supplier agreements, framework agreements, and volume leverage across projects.
• Develop total cost of ownership models that include purchase price, spare parts, freight, duties, inspection costs, commissioning support, warranty coverage, lifecycle cost, and schedule risk.
• Supplier Selection and Relationship Management
• Build a best-in-class supplier ecosystem with a focus on technical expertise, quality, delivery performance, and cost competitiveness.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with key suppliers and service providers to ensure on-time delivery and support high-quality plant operations.
• Monitor supplier performance through QBRs, KPIs and manage corrective actions, continuous improvement initiatives, and supplier development programs.
• Contract Development & Negotiation
• Lead commercial discussions with suppliers, ensuring clear statements of work, service-level agreements, and compliance with regulatory requirements.
• Negotiate terms and pricing to achieve best-value agreements while fostering long-term, collaborative supplier partnerships.
• Provide effective overview of supplier performance to contract. Manage supplier issues and disputes to effective resolution.
• Risk Management and Compliance
• Proactively identify and mitigate risks in the supply chain, including disruptions in supply, quality control issues, logistical bottlenecks, and regulatory changes.
• Ensure all procurement and sourcing activities meet company policies, industry standards, and relevant health, safety, and environmental regulations.
• Cross Functional Collaboration
• Work closely with engineering, operations, finance, legal and other stakeholders to align supply chain strategies with project timelines and budgets.
• Provide guidance and mentorship to junior supply chain team members, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and knowledge sharing.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management or related field
• Minimum 8+ years of progressive experience in strategic sourcing/category management in energy (geothermal, power generation, oil and gas, etc.).
• Expert understanding of electrical equipment, instrumentation, and related services specific to geothermal, power generation or oil and gas.
• Experience negotiating equipment supply agreements, framework agreements, warranty terms, liquidated damages, milestone payments, and change order terms.
• Proficiency in ERP systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle) and advanced Excel/analytical skills for data management and reporting.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Experience building or using should cost models, cost breakdowns, bid evaluations, benchmarks, or total cost of ownership analyses.

Preferred Qualifications

• History of influencing senior leaders, leading cross-functional teams and nurturing talent through mentoring and development programs.
• Self-starter with a track record of developing, implementing, and managing strategic supply chain initiatives
• Ability to influence management through the use of high quality, well-structured communications, both written and verbal to ensure linkage with business strategies and drive understanding of the resulting impact.
• Strong analytical, critical thinking, negotiation and problem-solving skills.

Location

Fervo Energy is headquartered in Houston, TX. This position will be eligible for some hybrid work flexibility, but regular in-office presence at the Houston location will be required. Although office based, some travel to Fervo operational sites may be required.