Category Lead

The Supply Chain Category Lead holds end‑to‑end ownership of an assigned procurement category, with responsibility for strategy, governance, commercial performance, and execution oversight.

The role is accountable for ensuring that procurement activity within the category:

• Aligns with business objectives and operational priorities
• Comply with API Q2, ISO, contractual, and internal governance requirements
• Delivers value through cost control, risk management, and supplier performance
• Is executed consistently across regions, projects, and operations

The Category Lead provides direction and governance to transactional procurement roles, interfaces closely with Operations, Engineering, Projects, Finance, and Quality, and acts as the single point of accountability for category performance.

It is expected that each Supply Chain Category Lead will personally perform Buyer execution activities within their assigned category until transaction volume, complexity, or risk justify the separation of a dedicated Buyer role. End‑to‑end accountability for both commercial ownership and execution remain with the Category Lead during this period (Refer to Area of Responsibility 4 &
5)

There is no separation of Buyer execution at the beginning of the role. Category Leads will execute Buyer tasks themselves until transaction volume explicitly justifies additional resourcing.

• Category Strategy & Ownership
• Define and maintain a category strategy, including scope, supplier segmentation, sourcing models, and risk profile.
• Act as the single accountable owner for all expenses, suppliers, and performance within the assigned category.
• Ensure procurement approaches are fit for purpose across operational, project, and regional needs.

• Own and enforce commercial frameworks, including:
• Contract structures
• Terms & Conditions
• Non-Disclosure Agreements
• Change management and deviations
• Ensure contracts are applied correctly and consistently.
• Escalate and resolve commercial risks and ambiguities proactively.
• Oversee supplier onboarding, qualification, and revalidation in line with API Q2 / ISO requirements.
• Ensure suppliers are approved, competent, and fit for use.
• Monitor and manage:
• Delivery reliability
• Quality issues

(Aplies once Buyer execution has been formally separated based on transaction volume, complexity, or risk)

• Provide oversight of procurement execution without performing day‑to‑day buying (
  once Buyer execution has been separated
  )
• Ensure that:
• Purchase orders, invoices, and recharges align with approved category strategies, agreements, and commercial intent
• Delivery and supplier performance are managed against contractual commitments
• Act as the single point of escalation where execution deviates from governance requirements, commercial expectations, or defined risk tolerance.
• Maintain ownership and accountability for:
• Category strategy and sourcing approach
• Supplier relationships and performance
• Commercial frameworks, including contracts, Terms & Conditions, and NDAs
• Ensure Buyers operate in full alignment with category governance, commercial intent, and compliance requirements.
• Interface with Operations, Projects, Engineering, Finance, and Quality to resolve escalated execution, delivery, or supplier issues.

At role inception, there is no separation between Category ownership and Buyer execution. The Category Lead is responsible for both commercial ownership and day‑to‑day procurement execution.

• This transactional execution model remains in place until transaction volume, complexity, or risk explicitly justifies additional resourcing and functional separation. At that point, Buyer execution is formally separated and the role transitions to the
• Degree in Supply Chain, Engineering, Business, or related discipline.
• Significant experience in supply chain / procurement within oil & gas or industrial environments.
• Proven capability in category ownership, commercial governance, and supplier management.
• Strong understanding of contracts, commercial risk, and regulatory frameworks.
• Experi…