Senior Category Specialist

Senior Category Specialist

Job Type: Regular

Plains is an industry‑leading transportation and midstream provider specializing in the transportation, storage, processing, and marketing of crude oil. Based in Houston, Texas, we own an extensive network of pipeline, terminal, storage, and gathering assets across the United States and Canada. We seek passionate self‑starters who thrive in fast‑moving, collaborative, and innovative environments. The Senior Category Specialist owns high‑value, complex spend categories across North America and delivers measurable business value through strategic sourcing, commercial negotiations, and category strategy execution.

• Lead end‑to‑end sourcing initiatives (RFx, supplier evaluation, negotiations, and contract award) for assigned categories.
• Develop and execute multi‑year category strategies aligned to business priorities, market conditions, and risk profiles.
• Apply Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) principles to sourcing decisions and recommendations.
• Draft, review, and redline commercial agreements, including service contracts and long‑term supply agreements.
• Lead commercial negotiations to optimize pricing, terms, and risk allocation.
• Partner with Legal and Risk to ensure contracts meet policy, regulatory, and business requirements.
• Serve as the primary relationship owner for key suppliers within assigned categories.
• Establish performance metrics, lead supplier reviews, and drive corrective action plans.
• Identify opportunities for innovation, continuous improvement, and value creation with suppliers.
• Perform spend analysis, savings tracking, and cost modeling to support sourcing decisions.
• Develop clear, executive‑ready reports and dashboards to communicate results and performance.
• Use data to identify trends, risks, and optimization opportunities.
• Act as the single point of contact for assigned categories, partnering with Operations, Engineering, Finance, Legal, and Logistics.
• Translate stakeholder needs into sourcing strategies and executable plans.
• Identify and lead initiatives to streamline sourcing processes, improve efficiency, and standardize best practices.
• Ensure sourcing activities comply with internal policies and external regulatory requirements.
• Maintain accurate documentation and support audit and governance needs.
• Monitor market, supplier, and geopolitical risks impacting supply continuity and cost.
• Develop and implement mitigation strategies, including supplier diversification and contractual protections.

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Accounting, Finance, Engineering, or a related field.
• 7+ years of experience in strategic sourcing, procurement, or supply chain management (10+ years preferred).
• Demonstrated success leading supplier negotiations, contract management, and category strategies.
• Advanced proficiency in Excel and PowerPoint; experience with analytics tools (e.g., Power BI, SQL) preferred.
• Strong analytical, communication, and stakeholder‑management skills.
• Proven ability to manage multiple priorities and deliver results independently.
• Cleared criminal history (background) and satisfactory reference checks.
• Compliance with the Company’s drug and alcohol policy including pre‑employment D&A testing.
• This position is not eligible for employment‑based visa sponsorship. Candidates must be authorized to work in the U.S. for the duration of employment.

• Integrity Services – including In‑Line Inspection (ILI), Non‑Destructive Examination (NDE), and leak detection services.
• Tank Services – including tank repair, cleaning, and inspection.
• Electrical & Instrumentation (E&I) – including field services, maintenance, and project‑based work.
• Chemical & Gases – including Corrosion, Drag Reducing Agents, Process Chemicals, and bulk gases.

• Strategic Thinking – converts business needs and market insight into actionable category strategies.
• Commercial Acumen – understands cost drivers, supplier economics, and market dynamics.
• Negotiation & Influence – drives outcomes through effective negotiation and cross‑functional alignment.
• Analytical Rigor – uses data to support decisions and quantify value.
• Collaboration – builds trusted partnerships across functions and levels.
• Ownership & Accountability – takes full responsibility for outcomes and execution.

Office‑based role in Houston, TX. Occasional domestic travel. #Plains

We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified individuals, without regard to age, race, color, national or ethnic origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, genetic information, disability, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. Applicants with disabilities can request accessible formats or communication supports by contacting