Category Specialist

CHEVRON SINGAPORE PTE. LTD.; Singapore; On-site; SGD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading energy company in Singapore seeks a Category Specialist to support its procurement strategies within the Joint Venture Refineries Business. This role, based at Chevron's Singapore office, involves developing category strategies, conducting sourcing negotiations, and enhancing supplier relationships. The ideal candidate will hold a Bachelor's degree and possess 5–8 years of experience in procurement, with strong skills in negotiation and project management. The position requires significant on-site presence at the refinery, emphasizing collaboration and strategic oversight.

Qualifications

• 5–8 years’ experience in Procurement/Category Management within Oil & Gas, Pharmaceutical, Chemical, or related industries.
• Experience in a plant environment is an advantage.
• Strong consensus-building and influencing skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute in-country category strategies.
• Conduct market assessments, cost modelling, and total cost of ownership analyses.
• Provide guidance on procurement processes and controls.

Skills

Strategic thinking

Interpersonal skills

Project management

Negotiation skills

Analytical skills

Change management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering or Procurement/Supply Chain Management

Tools

E-Procurement knowledge (SMART by GEP / SAP)

Job description

Requisition ID: Job Location: Singapore – Duo Tower

To submit application, please click below posting link or copy and paste to a new browser:
https://chevron.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/jobs/job/Singapore-DUO-Tower-Singapore/Category-Specialist--JV_R000068320

The Category Specialist is a key member of the Asia Pacific and Middle East (APME) SCM team, supporting the Joint Venture Refineries Business. Reporting to the Regional Category Manager (JV Refineries), this role is responsible for developing and executing in-country category strategies, sourcing, negotiations, and commercial evaluations for the Singapore Joint Venture Refinery. The position requires regular interaction with SRC management and business stakeholders.
The Category Specialist will lead cost management initiatives, oversee strategic sourcing, conduct negotiations, and implement supplier relationship management approaches to enhance commercial and operational performance. The role also supports benchmarking activities to drive best-in-class results. Close collaboration with Joint Venture Refinery management, internal stakeholders, local Procurement teams, and external vendors is essential to deliver sustainable growth and ensure the application of category management principles to maximise value for Chevron.
The ideal candidate is a strategic thinker with strong interpersonal skills, able to work both collaboratively and independently. They should have a proven track record of managing multiple initiatives to completion, effectively communicating and influencing stakeholders and suppliers at all levels, and demonstrating professionalism, customer focus, and sound business judgement.

Responsibilities for this position may include but are not limited to:

Procurement

• Identify new opportunities, develop business cases, and drive change.
• Plan, coordinate, and develop category and contracting plans.
• Conduct market assessments, cost modelling, benchmarking, and total cost of ownership analyses.
• Provide strategic and business alignment direction to the Refinery Procurement team on category, sourcing, contracting strategies, negotiation, and supplier management.
• Partner with the business to develop procurement strategies that deliver sustainable cost savings, ensuring alignment with business objectives and consistent application of strategic sourcing principles.
• Develop mechanisms and metrics to hold suppliers accountable for performance and delivery.
• Collaborate with suppliers and technical stakeholders to introduce new ideas, processes, and technologies into the facilities.
• Understand the needs of Reliability, Operations, Maintenance, and Capital Projects stakeholders, translating them into supply base strategies that enhance cost effectiveness and resilience.

Advisory

• Provide functional guidance on procurement processes and controls to the Refinery Procurement Manager, identifying opportunities for process improvement and efficiency.
• Support the rollout and implementation of procurement strategies, processes, standards, and guidelines.
• Act as a procurement advisor to the SRC Procurement Manager and team, providing category guidance and implementing global and regional initiatives at a local level.
• Engage regularly with SRC Refinery stakeholders to review project plans and drive service quality and supplier performance.
• Coordinate with internal stakeholders on legal, risk, and tax matters.
• Coordinates with Chevron Global Category Managers to seek advise and explore synergies for strategic contracts

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree, preferably in Engineering or Procurement/Supply Chain Management.
• 5–8 years’ experience in Procurement/Category Management within Oil & Gas, Pharmaceutical, Chemical, or related industries. Experience in a plant environment (e.g., terminal, refinery) is an advantage.
• In-depth understanding of Category Management, including category planning, strategic sourcing, contracting, supplier management, and strong negotiation skills.
• Experience with total cost ownership (TCO), Should Cost Modelling, and other category management techniques.
• Knowledge of refining/manufacturing commodities markets (e.g., maintenance, rotating equipment, catalysts & chemicals, projects).
• Experience providing project procurement support for capital projects.
• Ability to identify new opportunities, challenge the status quo, and drive change, including process improvements and simplification.
• Strong consensus-building, influencing, analytical, project management, change management, communication, and presentation skills.
• Proven team player with a strong drive for performance and results; consistent and reliable execution of work plans.
• Knowledge of refining process plants or similar manufacturing facilities is a plus.
• E-Procurement knowledge (SMART by GEP / SAP) is an advantage.

Work Location

The selected candidate will be based in Singapore, stationed at Chevron’s Singapore office in Duo Tower. This role will require frequent travel to the Singapore Joint Venture Refinery, with 50% to 80% of the time spent on-site, to provide essential support to the business.