Category Manager III, Sr

Williams; Houston (TX); Hybrid; USD 110,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Williams is seeking a Category Manager in Houston to own spend across PVF and MRO, lead cost-saving initiatives, and develop supplier strategies across a highly transactional category.

The role demands bachelor’s degree and 7+ years of diversified supply chain experience, with travel 10–30%. You will partner with cross-functional teams to optimize contracts, spend visibility, and risk management while delivering measurable value for the business.

Hybrid work options are available for many roles.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Finance, Business, Economics, Mathematics, Engineering or technology field.
• Minimum seven years' experience in a diversified supply chain environment.
• Preferred: ISM or APICS certification; nine years' experience advantageous.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications.

Responsibilities

• Interprets business challenges and recommends standard methodologies/strategies to improve category, processes or services
• Collaborates with business partners to develop comprehensive supplier and category strategies
• Develops and leads cross-functional supplier qualification and management processes
• Builds KPIs for supplier performance reviews
• Identifies strategic supplier partnerships to control costs and optimize resources
• Develops and maintains category and subcategory structures
• Negotiates and implements contract terms and conditions
• Conducts spend analysis and develops supplier management and risk mitigation processes
• Other duties as assigned

Skills

Strategic thinking

Supplier management

Negotiation

Cross-functional collaboration

Data analysis

Education

Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Finance, Business, Economics, Mathematics, Engineering or technology field

ISM or APICS certification

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

At Williams, we’re powering a cleaner, more connected future, and that starts with you. Here, your work fuels communities, drives innovation, and helps deliver reliable energy the world depends on.

Join a Fortune 500 team that invests in your growth, values your contributions, and challenges you to make a lasting impact every day.

The Category Manager is responsible for driving teamwork across our organization to develop supply chain solutions.

This role will lead cost savings projects, demonstrate market conditions and price dislocations, lead contract disputes with suppliers, and bring forward value propositions for our business.

The ability to think beyond the status quo to develop solutions to sophisticated problems that improve performance, efficiency and safety and make decisions that impact business and project objectives are keys to success in this role!

This role represents ownership of the spend within Pipe, Valves, and Fittings (PVF) and Maintenance, Repair and Operations (MRO).

These responsibilities cover significant spend, operational risk, and value creation opportunities that warrant dedicated strategic ownership.

PVF and MRO support nearly every field operation, maintenance activity, and capital project across Williams.

The category is highly transactional, fragmented, and dependent on distributor relationships, creating opportunities for supplier consolidation, standardization, inventory optimization, and improved sourcing discipline.

Existing category strategies identify substantial savings opportunities through agreement optimization, spend visibility, and enterprise standardization initiatives.

Responsibilities/Expectations:

• Interprets business challenges and recommends standard methodologies/strategies to improve category, processes or services
• Collaborates with business partners to develop comprehensive supplier and category strategies
• Develops and leads cross-functional supplier qualification and management processes
• Builds Key Performance Indicators for supplier performance reviews
• Identifies and establishes strategic supplier partnerships to handle costs and optimize resources
• Develops and maintains category and subcategory structures
• Negotiates and implements contract terms and conditions
• Conducts spend analysis and develops measurable supplier management and risk mitigation processes
• Other duties as assigned

Education/Years of Experience:

• Required: Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Finance, Business, Economics, Mathematics, Engineering or technology field; minimum of seven (7) year's experience handling a diversified supply chain environment
• Preferred: Certification from Institute of Supplier Management (ISM) or American Production and Inventory Control Society (APICS); minimum of nine (9) year's experience handling a diversified supply chain environment

Other Requirements:

• Demonstrates excellent organizational/interpersonal skills and safety as the utmost priority
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Application and PC skills
• Experience working in a cross-functional environment
• Demonstrates conceptual and practical expertise in category and supplier management
• Demonstrates materials planning experience

Travel Requirements:

• Estimated travel is 10%-30%

Why Houston?

Big career opportunities in one of the world’s energy capitals, endless food spots and a diverse vibe—all without paying NYC or LA prices. Work hard, live better. Check out Houston.org to learn more.

We invest in our people in ways that actually show up in your day-to-day, not just on paper.

Our Total Rewards are built to support how you work, live, and plan for what’s next. Here’s a look at what that means:

• Strong pay plus an annual incentive program
• Hybrid work for most office roles, plus real flexibility in many field positions
• Medical, dental, and vision coverage with options that fit your life, not the other way around
• 401(k) with company match and an annual company contribution
• Paid time off, including company and floating holidays
• Paid parental leave (up to six weeks per parent), plus fertility and adoption support
• Advanced AI tools and resources to help level up and work smarter
• Clear paths to grow your career, with a strong culture of promoting from within
• Tuition reimbursement and support for continuing education
• HSA and FSA options
• Company-paid life insurance and disability coverage
• Employee stock purchase plan
• Domestic partner benefits
• Employee resource groups, wellness support, paid volunteer time, and company matching for causes you care about

Eligibility and benefits are governed by the terms of the applicable plan or program document which can be amended or terminated at any time. For more information, please visit Total Rewards | Williams Companies.

Education Requirements: Skill Requirements:

We don’t offer jobs; we offer career opportunities that include:

• Competitive compensation and inclusive benefits
• Growth and development opportunities
• An inclusive culture where you can be yourself
• Opportunities to get involved in the community where you work and live
• Flexible work arrangements for many positions, including hybrid schedules
• We’re proud of our innovative people who want to make the world a better place and invite you to explore how you can help us make clean energy happen.

Williams is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, national origin, age, marital status, disability, veteran status, genetic information or any other basis protected under applicable discrimination law.