Category Manager Operations & Maintenance

Bwpmlp; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 110,000 - 165,000; Full time

Job summary

Boardwalk is seeking a Category Manager O&M in Houston, TX to own end-to-end commercial categories supporting a large midstream pipeline and storage network. The role covers field maintenance services, pipeline integrity, cathodic protection, right-of-way, environmental services, equipment rental, and MRO materials.

The successful candidate will manage spend, develop category strategies, negotiate MSAs, monitor contractor performance, and ensure cost efficiency across multiple states.

Responsibilities

• Own all operations and maintenance spend categories as a commercial portfolio with full accountability for cost performance, supplier strategy, contract coverage, and service reliability.
• Develop and execute multi-year category strategies across O&M sub-categories including pipeline integrity services, cathodic protection, right-of-way maintenance, field services, environmental services, equipment rental etc
• Maintain spend analytics and demand visibility across operating regions; translate operational demand into proactive sourcing strategies and supplier engagement plans.
• Identify and pursue opportunities for regional contractor consolidation, national alliance agreements, volume leverage, and process standardization to reduce total cost and administrative burden.

Job description

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Boardwalk is a limited partnership operating in the midstream portion of the natural gas and natural gas liquidsindustry, providing transportation and storage services for our customers. Our 14,000 miles of pipeline and storage assets provide diverse market connectivity to producers and end-users who need reliable sources of natural gas for power generation, home heating or petrochemical feedstocks. We have the experience, knowledge, and flexibility to design service offerings and create system enhancements tailored to our customers’ needs throughout the 13 states in which we operate. As an organization focused on sustainability, we are committed to protecting the environment while delivering this energy source. This commitment is made to our customers, employees, and the communities in which we operate. We incorporate environmental stewardship, safety, and compliance into our day-to-day operations and seek to strengthen and support the communities we serve. Additional information about the company can be found online at www.bwpipelines.com.

We are currently looking for a Category Manager O&M for our Houston, TX office.

POSITION DESCRIPTION:

The Category Manager for Operations and Maintenance is responsible for end-to-end commercial ownership of the recurring service and materials categories that sustain Boardwalk's pipeline system on a daily basis. This role develops and executes category strategies across a broad O&M portfolio including field maintenance services, pipeline integrity services, cathodic protection, right-of-way maintenance, environmental services, equipment rental, and MRO materials — ensuring cost efficiency, contractor performance, and service reliability across Boardwalk's multi-state operating footprint.

Key Responsibilities:

Category Strategy and Spend Ownership

• Own all operations and maintenance spend categories as a commercial portfolio with full accountability for cost performance, supplier strategy, contract coverage, and service reliability.
• Develop and execute multi-year category strategies across O&M sub-categories including pipeline integrity services, cathodic protection, right-of-way maintenance, field services, environmental services, equipment rental etc
• Maintain spend analytics and demand visibility across operating regions; translate operational demand into proactive sourcing strategies and supplier engagement plans.
• Identify and pursue opportunities for regional contractor consolidation, national alliance agreements, volume leverage, and process standardization to reduce total cost and administrative burden.

Sourcing, Contracting, and Contract Management

• Execute the full sourcing lifecycle for assigned categories including supplier prequalification, RFP and RFQ development, bid evaluation, commercial negotiation, and award documentation in compliance with Boardwalk's sourcing policy and delegation of authority.
• Draft, evaluate, and negotiate contract commercial structures in coordination with Legal, Insurance, Treasury, and Risk Management to ensure appropriate risk allocation and commercial terms.
• Ensure all contractual records, bid documentation, and contract correspondence are maintained in Boardwalk's contract management and ERP systems in accordance with records retention requirements.
• Manage post-award contract administration including contract handover, supplier performance monitoring, commercial assurance, and coordination of modifications and extensions.

Field Services and Maintenance Contractor Management

• Develop and manage the commercial strategy for field maintenance services including pipeline repair, valve maintenance, corrosion control, cathodic protection, facility maintenance, and environmental remediation.
• Negotiate and deploy Master Service Agreements with regional and national contractors covering services across Boardwalk's operating footprint, including appropriate rate structures, safety requirements, indemnification, and insurance provisions.
• Manage contractor performance through structured KPIs covering safety record, on‑time mobilization, work quality, invoicing accuracy, and regulatory compliance.
• Develop contractor qualification and tiering standards aligned with work risk, scope complexity, and geographic coverage requirements.

Commercial and Supplier Management

• Develop and maintain a preferred supplier base for each O&M sub-category including qualification criteria, performance expectations, and safety prequalification standards.
• Negotiate MSAs and service agreements encompassing unit rates, mobilization fees, escalation mechanisms, performance standards, and insurance