Sr. Specialist, Contracts/Category

NextDecade; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

NextDecade is seeking a Sr. Contracts Specialist to support sourcing, purchasing, and contract-management activities within the Digital category. This role collaborates with internal stakeholders and provides end-to-end exposure to procurement, including software agreements and professional services.

The position requires strong analytical and communication skills, 7+ years in related fields, and a Bachelor’s degree. Office-based role in Houston with compliance to company policies and procedures.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business, supply chain, or a related field.
• Minimum 7+ years in category management, procurement, sourcing, or related discipline.
• Strong interpersonal, analytical, written and verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Support sourcing activities across spend areas.
• Prepare and process purchase orders and statements of work.
• Conduct market research and monitor industry trends.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to clarify requirements across functions.
• Assist with contract review, maintenance, and compliance monitoring.
• Maintain procurement documentation per policies and procedures.
• Support spend analysis, budget tracking, and supplier performance.

Skills

Contract management

Procurement

Sourcing

Vendor management

Cross-functional

Analytics

MS Excel

Power BI

Education

Bachelor’s degree in business or related field

Tools

Sirion

SAP

Microsoft 365

Job description

It’s fun to work in a company where people truly BELIEVE in what they’re doing!
We’re committed to bringing passion and customer focus to the business.

JOB SUMMARY

Reporting to the Manager, Category within Supply Chain, the Sr. Contracts Specialist supports sourcing, purchasing, and contract-management activities for goods and services across the Shared Services category with a primary focus in Digital. The position may also support additional shared service categories based on business needs.

This role supports shared services / Indirect contracting which may include Software Agreements, Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) master service agreements, professional services agreements, purchase orders, statements of work, statements of services, and other commercial contracts. This opportunity provides exposure to end-to-end procurement while promoting cost effectiveness and compliance with company policies and procedures.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Support sourcing activities, including identifying, evaluating, and selecting suppliers across relevant spend areas.

• Prepare and process purchase orders, statements of work, and statements of services accurately and on time.

• Conduct market research to identify potential suppliers, benchmark pricing, and monitor relevant industry trends.

• Partner with internal stakeholders to clarify business requirements and coordinate procurement activities across functions.

• Support proposal evaluations and commercial analyses to identify cost-savings and cost-avoidance opportunities.

• Help resolve supplier‑related issues involving quality, delivery schedules, and invoice discrepancies.

• Support spend analysis, budget tracking, and supplier performance monitoring.

• Assist with contract review, contract maintenance, and compliance monitoring.

• Maintain procurement documentation in accordance with company standards, guidelines, policies, and procedures.

• Contribute to process‑improvement initiatives, administrative activities, and special projects as assigned.

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in business, supply chain, or a related field.

• 7+ years of experience in category management, procurement, sourcing, or a closely related discipline.

• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to collaborate effectively across functions.

• Strong analytical, written, and verbal communication skills.

• Strong project-management and organizational skills.

Preferred Requirements:

• Experience supporting the Digital category (i.e.; software and licensing, professional / managed services, enterprise platforms, value added resellers, Artificial Intelligence applications, networking)

• Experience supporting Shared Services / Indirect category initiatives

• Working knowledge of supply chain and contract‑management systems, including Sirion and SAP.

• Working knowledge of Microsoft 365 applications and experience creating dashboards in Power BI.

Work Environment & Physical Expectations

This position operates primarily in a professional office environment, with occasional work within or outside a complex construction environment. The role routinely uses standard office equipment, including computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets, and related equipment.

This is primarily a sedentary role. The employee must be able to stand and/or sit continuously to perform essential job functions for a full shift. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.

• Lift up to 20 pounds when handling files, boxes, or office equipment.

• Open filing cabinets and bend, stand on a stool, or climb as needed to perform job functions.

• Talk and listen as required to perform the role.

• Use close, distance, and color vision and adjust focus.

• Stand, walk, use hands to handle or feel, and reach with hands and arms.

• Move throughout office, site, and facility areas.

• Wear required personal protective equipment when job functions require it.

Other Duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

*In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification document form upon hire.

_NextDecade provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all applicants without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty, or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws. NextDecade complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities.

DOT Requirements: The US Department of Transportation (DOT) and the company have adopted regulations governing the control of drug use by persons in certain job classifications. This position is subject to the Federal Pipelines Regulation; and is stipulated in the 49 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) part 40 that requires drug and alcohol testing and must meet the testing standards. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions as defined per Company policy.

NEXTDECADE VALUES

• Safety – We make safety a priority. Everything we do relies on the safety of our people and the communities around us.

• Integrity – We do the right thing, and are open, ethical, and fair. We hold ourselves to the highest standards in all that we do.

• Honesty – We value truth and honesty in ourselves and others. We honor our commitments and take responsibility for our actions.

• Respect – We listen, and respect people, the environment, and the communities in which we live and work.

• Transparency – Transparency builds trust. We promote open communication with our people, our customers, and all our stakeholders.

• Diversity – We value diversity of people and thought. It takes people with different strengths, ideas, and cultural backgrounds to make our company succeed.