Regional Technical Category Manager

Job description

Job Summary

The Regional Technical Category Manager is a new role for the Projects Business Line responding to dynamic market conditions for both EP and EP+ delivery models and will lead strategic procurement and category management for specialized, high-value custom turnkey / mechanical/electrical / fabrication/flow management activities across North American projects. This role is responsible for executing the North American procurement strategies while developing tailored regional approaches aligned with project execution and overall business objectives.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Sourcing & Contractor Management

• Develop and manage preferred supplier networks specializing in custom turnkey / mechanical/electrical/fabrication/flow management activities
• Create long-term supplier partnerships and framework agreements balancing cost, quality, schedule, loading, and risk
• Conduct market analysis on supplier capacity, pricing trends, and capability gaps
• Execute multi-million dollar cost reduction initiatives and consolidate orders for negotiation leverage
• Drive continuous improvement with key suppliers on productivity, safety, and schedule performance

Proposal Costing & Optimization

• Lead proposal development, tendering, and cost analysis for custom turnkey / mechanical/electrical / fabrication/flow management packages
• Develop detailed cost models (labor rates, material escalation, equipment, mobilization, site-specific factors)
• Perform total cost of ownership (TCO) analyses including schedule, quality, and contractual risk impacts Benchmark costs against industry standards and identify value-creation opportunities

Execution Negotiations

• Lead complex supplier negotiations on pricing, terms, conditions, and commercial frameworks
• Develop specialized terms and conditions tailored to supplier scope and risk profile
• Establish clear scope of work definitions and division of responsibility boundaries, ensuring contractor responsibilities and interface protocols
• Negotiate insurance, bonding, and risk allocation frameworks

Risk Management & Contractual Framework

• Develop comprehensive risk management strategies for supplier-specific hazards and performance uncertainties
• Define insurance requirements, coverage limits, and liability frameworks
• Implement risk mitigation strategies (performance bonds, parent company guarantees, liquidated damages)
• Ensure compliance with safety regulations and industry standards

Post-Award Management & Delivery Assurance

• Establish post-award protocols ensuring supplier performance and schedule adherence
• Monitor supplier performance against KPIs (schedule, quality, safety, cost)
• Conduct performance reviews and implement corrective action plans
• Manage supplier escalations, disputes, and change orders
• Drive on-time delivery through proactive schedule management and accountability

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner with project execution, legal, insurance, contract management, and engineering teams
• Collaborate with tendering teams on competitive bid packages
• Coordinate with safety, quality, and compliance functions
• Build relationships with internal stakeholders to identify value engineering and optimization opportunities

Qualifications

Key Characteristics

Technical Acumen

• Demonstrate deep understanding of custom turnkey / mechanical/electrical / fabrication/flow management technologies to lead strategic decisions

Strategic Thinking

• Balance long-term objectives with immediate priorities

Negotiation Excellence

• Strong negotiation skills with proven ability to secure favorable terms in complex, high-stakes contractor agreements Courage Champion innovative contracting models and transformational procurement approaches Ambitious Challenge the status quo and identify value-creation opportunities Required Qualifications: Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Supply Chain Management, or Business Management
• 5+ years of experience in custom turnkey / mechanical/electrical / fabrication/flow management procurement, contractor management, or EPC construction execution
• Proven experience in procurement, sourcing, contract management, or project management within an EPC project setting Advanced knowledge of specialized contract terms, insurance requirements, bonding, and risk allocation frameworks
• Demonstrated success in complex supplier negotiations and post-award performance management
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with ability to identify cost and schedule improvements
• Excellent project management skills managing multiple concurrent projects Advanced knowledge of construction industry standards, safety regulations, and compliance requirements Preferred Qualifications: 10+ years in custom turnkey / mechanical/electrical / fabrication/flow management procurement
• Direct water industry or EPC firm experience Professional procurement certification (C.P.M., CPSM, CIPS) Professional project management certification (PMP) Experience with SAP, Ariba, and Google Workspace Working Conditns: Up to 20% annual travel Hybrid/Remote, Various North America locations