Category Manager, Drilling

Stanford Climate Ventures; Houston (TX); Hybrid; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision coverage

Employer-paid life insurance & STD/LTD

401(k) with up to 6% match

Flexible PTO and parental leave

Employee stock purchase program

Job summary

Fervo Energy, based in Houston, is seeking a Category Manager to own sourcing, supplier relationships, and negotiations for geothermal drilling operations. This role requires deep supply chain expertise, cross-functional leadership, and a focus on cost, quality, safety, and sustainability.

The Category Manager will report to the Senior Category Manager. The position involves building a best-in-class supplier ecosystem, managing contract development, and ensuring on-time delivery while

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management or related field.
• Minimum 4+ years of strategic sourcing/category management in energy (geothermal, exploration oil and gas).
• Strong understanding of drilling equipment, well construction materials, and related services specific to geothermal or conventional horizontal drilling.
• Proven track record in negotiating high-value contracts and managing complex supplier relationships.
• 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.

Responsibilities

• Strategic Sourcing and Category Management: Set vision and craft strategies for geothermal drilling materials, equipment, and services.
• Market analysis to understand trends affecting internal stakeholders and category strategies.
• Forecast demand with stakeholders; define scope, risks, and supplier capabilities.
• Manage bid solicitation, evaluation, negotiation, contract execution and post-award management.
• Develop and implement process improvements for policy, forecasting, and supplier management.

Skills

Strategic sourcing

Vendor management

Negotiation

ERP systems (SAP/Oracle)

Advanced Excel

Cross-functional collaboration

Geothermal drilling materials know-how

Energy sector experience

Education

Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management or related field

Tools

SAP

Oracle

Job description

About Fervo Energy

Fervo Energy (NASDAQ: FRVO) is a modern power company developing next-generation geothermal resources to meet the growing demand for affordable, reliable, 24/7 carbon-free energy. Our mission is to transform geothermal into America’s most dependable and affordable source of clean, around-the-clock power. By combining innovations in horizontal drilling, fiber-optic sensing, and advanced reservoir engineering, Fervo has developed a repeatable approach to building utility-scale enhanced geothermal systems. Our flagship Cape Station development in Utah is planned to deliver 500 MW of firm, carbon-free power, and we are advancing a development pipeline of more than 50 GW. Join us and work alongside world-class engineers, geoscientists, operators, project builders, and business leaders working to make geothermal a cornerstone of a more reliable, affordable, and sustainable energy future.

Position Description

The Category Manager will own sourcing, supplier relationships, commercial negotiations, ensuring a seamless flow of materials and services that meet the high standards of cost, quality, safety, and sustainability. This role will be responsible for supporting all phases of geothermal drilling operations. This role requires deep expertise in supply chain best practices, a proven track record of working with complex drilling projects, and the ability to lead cross-functional teams in a fast-paced environment. The Category Manager will report to the Senior Category Manager.

Responsibilities

Strategic Sourcing and Category Management

• Set the vision, craft and execute category management strategies for geothermal drilling materials, equipment, and services (e.g., casing, wellhead systems, drilling fluids, directional drilling tools, etc.).
• Perform market analysis 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.
• Develop and implement process improvement opportunities regarding policy, process optimization, forecasting, and supplier relationship management.

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 drilling operations.
• Monitor supplier performance through QBRs, KPIs and manage corrective actions, continuous improvement initiatives, and supplier development programs.

Contract Development & Negotiation

• Manage contract 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 drilling engineers, field 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.

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management or related field
• Minimum 4+ years of progressive experience in strategic sourcing/category management in energy (geothermal, exploration oil and gas).
• Strong understanding of drilling equipment, well construction materials, and related services specific to geothermal or conventional horizontal drilling.
• Proven track record in negotiating high-value contracts and managing complex supplier relationships.
• 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.

Preferred

• 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.

Benefits & Perks

• Fervo offers a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your health, financial well-being, and life outside of work. Benefits for eligible employees include:
• Medical, dental, and vision plan options
• Employer-paid basic life insurance and short-term and long-term disability coverage
• A 401(k) plan with up to 6% match
• Flexible paid time off and paid parental leave
• Family-building, fertility, hormonal health, pregnancy, postpartum, and parenting support through Carrot
• A dependent care FSA for eligible child and elder care expenses
• An annual Lifestyle Spending Account for eligible wellness expenses, including fitness, financial planning, pet insurance, and pet care
• Employee ownership opportunities through Fervo’s Employee Stock Purchase Program, as well as LTI and bonus opportunities for eligible roles

Benefits and programs are subject to eligibility requirements and may change.

Our Workplace

Fervo Energy highly values having employees work in the office to foster collaboration and strengthen our company culture. This role follows a hybrid schedule, with team members expected to work in the office three days per week. Fervo considers this in-office schedule an essential function of the role.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Fervo Energy is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, gender, religion, marital status, registered domestic partner status, age, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, sex, genetic information, sexual orientation, military or veteran status, or any other consideration made unlawful by federal, state, or local law. Fervo also prohibits discrimination based on the perception that an individual has any of these characteristics or is associated with a person who has or is perceived as having any of these characteristics.