Category Manager Piping

Are you an expert in piping for large-scale energy projects? Do you have experience leveraging market insights and vendor networks to gain a competitive advantage in global procurement?

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We are looking for a Category Manager Piping to develop and implement piping procurement strategies, manage vendor relationships, and ensure that projects receive high-quality piping equipment on time and within budget while driving continuous improvements and meeting company objectives.

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Tasks & responsibilities:

• Develop and implement the category strategy for piping, ensuring alignment with company goals and future project needs.
• Collaborate with engineering and technical teams to define technological requirements and identify vendors.
• Conduct market analysis to ensure the category strategy meets project and operational demands.
• Lead the preparation of key deliverables such as Approved Vendor Lists (AVL), Framework Agreements, and spend analysis.
• Manage vendor qualification activities for strategically important vendors.
• Support the definition and execution of the Project Procurement Strategy (PPS) and ensure best practices are captured and implemented.
• Lead the drafting of generic Quality Control Plans (QCP) for equipment related to the piping category.
• Act as a focal point and expert in the category, guiding stakeholders across proposals, engineering, construction, and operations.
• Ensure compliance with category sourcing strategies and monitor key performance indicators such as savings and spending under group framework agreements.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with strategic vendors, fostering collaboration to achieve quality, price, and reliability goals.
• Monitor vendor capacity, risks, and opportunities, adjusting vendor relationship strategies accordingly.
• Support project and operations teams in managing vendor-related issues, such as disputes, manufacturing performance, or claims resolution.
• Organise and lead strategic meetings with vendors, such as partner technology days or steering committee meetings.

• Expertise in piping, with a strong understanding of Oil & Gas technical standards for critical steel grades.
• 15 years of experience in a Piping Procurement role, either in EPCI companies or as a Sales Engineer/Project Manager at vendors.
• Strong knowledge of European and Chinese piping markets.
• Experience in contractual negotiations and vendor management.
• Experience in construction sites or manufacturing plant environments is an advantage.
• Ability to develop long-term relationships with vendors and foster collaborative partnerships.
• Proficient in conducting market analysis and developing procurement strategies.
• Ability to lead and manage vendor qualification processes.
• Strong communication and negotiation skills
• Proactive and capable of identifying risks and opportunities related to vendor performance.
• Experience with creating and managing Quality Control Plans (QCP) for piping equipment.