Sr. Manager, Contracts & Procurement (Ref ID: 113)

ABOUT NEXTDECADE

NextDecade Corporation is an energy company accelerating the path to a net-zero future. Leading innovation in more sustainable LNG and carbon capture solutions, NextDecade is committed to providing the world access to cleaner energy. Through our subsidiaries Rio Grande LNG and NEXT Carbon Solutions, we are developing a 27 MTPA LNG export facility in South Texas and have proposed a carbon capture and storage project at the site. We remain committed to advancing and lowering the cost of utilizing carbon capture and storage and helping companies reduce their facility emissions and achieving their clean energy goals. NextDecade’s common stock is listed on the Nasdaq Stock Market under the symbol “NEXT.” NextDecade is headquartered in Houston, Texas. For more information, please visit www.next-decade.com.

SUMMARY OF THE ROLE

As Sr. Manager of Supply Chain Management, you will play a crucial role in overseeing and managing critical contracting and procurement processes within our organization. Your responsibilities will include executing and managing strategies and plans, covering all stages from sourcing events, negotiations to contract execution, and post-award management. You will ensure procurement activities are conducted efficiently and in accordance with company policies and procedures.

Proven experience in managing teams of varying sizes, preferably on EPC projects or Category Management teams, fostering a supportive and collaborative work environment.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Procurement Strategy:

• Responsible for developing, implementing, and executing procurement strategies to optimize our spend management program costs, availability, and efficiency.
• Responsible for identifying and evaluating potential suppliers, negotiating agreements, and establishing relationships to ensure the availability of quality goods and services.
• Responsible for monitoring market trends and best practices to continually improve business processes.

Category Management:

• Responsible for developing and implementing category strategies to optimize the performance of specific market segmentations and verticals. Upon implementation, the role will be responsible for integrating with the company materials management and logistics (i.e., master data, inventory, warehousing, and multi-modal logistics) plans.
• Responsible for analyzing market trends, understanding supplier behavior, competitor activities, and stakeholder preferences through market research, industry reports, and data analysis.

Category Strategy Development: Developing comprehensive category strategies aligned with overall business objectives, considering market trends, competitor analysis, and stakeholder insights. This shall include risk identification for unplanned events and mitigations.

Planning: Determining the optimal product availability for assigned categories, considering factors such as company preferences, demand forecasting, interchangeability, and inventory management. This should include VMI, virtual inventory and consignment.

Supplier Management: Building and maintaining relationships with suppliers to negotiate favorable terms, pricing, and partnering opportunities.

Financial Analysis: Conducting regular financial analysis to monitor category performance, identifying opportunities for growth, and making data-driven decisions to improve profitability.

Partnering and Pricing: Collaborating with the marketplace to plan and execute strategies and discount programs to drive optimal commodity categorization.

Inventory Management: Working closely with logistics to ensure efficient inventory management, minimize stockouts, reduce excess inventory, and disposal management.

Performance Monitoring: Tracking and monitoring key performance indicators (KPIs) for assigned categories, such as SLA performance, safety, and credit worthiness, and developing strategies to address emergent issues or capitalize on opportunities.

Continuous Improvement: Continuously evaluating and refining category management processes and strategies to improve efficiency, effectiveness, and competitiveness.

Strategic Supplier Relationship Management (SSRM):

• Responsible for developing and managing the company’s Strategic Supplier Relationship Management (SRM) program which is essential for optimizing our procurement process and ensuring resiliency in our supply chain.

Relationship Management: Building and fostering positive relationships with key suppliers to enhance collaboration and maximize value.

Performance Management: Conducting regular supplier performance evaluations and implementing corrective actions as needed.

Continuous Improvement: Driving continuous improvement initiatives to streamline procurement operations and enhance supplier diversity.

IT/OT Systems Projects:

• Responsible for developing and managing strategy for sourcing IT/OT systems, which is essential in standing up our core business and operations systems. The IT/OT systems projects require sourcing strategies, contract negotiations, post-award management, and interface management.

IT/OT Systems Sourcing Strategy: Developing comprehensive IT/OT strategies aligned with overall business objectives, considering market trends, competitor analysis, and stakeholder insights.

IT/OT System Project Implementation: Responsible for reviewing and approving software FDDs, UATs, defect management, acceptance, and SLAs for integration with our master data, purchasing, materials management, inventory processing and multi-modal logistics.

Contract Strategy:

• Responsible for developing and implementing contract strategies for critical Capex and Opex projects. Contracts may include complex engineering, procurement and construction or varietal mix of Fixed-Price, Time & Materials, or Cost-reimbursable.

Negotiation Strategy: Developing negotiation strategies and leading negotiations to secure favorable terms and conditions, lead times, and optimal costs.

Contract Lifecyle Management: Developing and maintaining processes for the contract lifecycle management (CLM) system to track contract lifecycles from initiation to renewal or termination. Use CLM to track, monitor, report, and deliver on contract obligations.

Compliance: Ensuring compliance with legal, regulatory and company requirements in all contracts.

Cross-functional Collaboration:

• Responsible for collaborating with internal stakeholders, including legal, finance, projects, and operations teams, to align contracting and procurement activities with business objectives.
• Responsible for providing guidance and support to departmental managers on procurement processes and contract management best practices.
• Responsible for providing input into scope development and deliverable requirements toward clear and successful engagement with contractors and suppliers.

EDUCATION, SKILLS, EXPERIENCE, & COMPETENCIES

Basic Requirements:

• Minimum of 10+ years of experience in contracts and procurement, with a demonstrated record of success in leadership and increasing responsibility.
• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain Management, Industrial Engineering, or related field.
• Previous experience with category management, materials management, IT projects, or logistics.
• Previous experience in complex services, equipment, and materials.
• Experience managing contracts and procurement personnel.
• Experience managing major contractors and suppliers.
• Experience working in a matrixed organization.
• Excellent communication and people skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret data and make strategic recommendations.
• Works well in dynamic team environment with matrixed objectives.
• Strong understanding of contract law and procurement principles.
• Knowledge of industry trends, market dynamics, and supplier behavior.
• Proficiency in contract management and procurement software.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and other data analysis tools.
• Excellent negotiation, communication, and people skills.
• Strategic thinking and problem-solving abilities.

Preferred Requirements:

• Master’s degree preferred.
• Supply Chain Certifications such as CPSM, CCCM, CPCM, CSCP, MCIPS or other relevant certifications preferred.

Work Environment

This position operates in a professional office environment with occasional work within or outside of a complex construction environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers/fax, filing cabinets, etc. This is primarily a sedentary role; however, the incumbent must be able to stand and/or sit continuously to perform all essential job functions for a full shift.

Able to meet the following physical demands of the job, with or without reasonable accommodations:

• Ability to lift up to 20 lbs. as required in order to lift files, boxes and office equipment as necessary.
• Ability to lift files, open filing cabinets and bending, standing on a stool, or climbing as necessary to perform these functions.
• While performing the duties of this role, the incumbent may be required to talk or hear.
• The incumbent is required to stand, walk, use hands to handle or feel; and reach with hands and arms.
• Ability to move throughout all areas of each office/site location and facilities.
• Able to wear all necessary PPE equipment to perform job functions.

*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.