Senior Category Lead in Aberdeen

Annan House Staff EnQuest is an independent oil and gas development and production company, focused on turning opportunities into value by targeting maturing assets and undeveloped oil fields. We are one of the largest UK independent oil producers in the UK North Sea, and have also established a presence in oil basins outside the UK North Sea, as part of our long term growth strategy. Fundamental to EnQuest's success to date is our greatest asset - our people. Their talent, expertise, knowledge, experience, and commitment have delivered remarkable results and we continue to look for the same attributes in prospective new employees as we pursue plans for further development in the UKCS and internationally. At EnQuest, we support a diverse and inclusive workplace and continually develop our culture. We are respectful and open with others, valuing the diversity of all our people and listening to the views they bring. Our focus on diversity and inclusion makes our performance stronger and makes us a better business.

The successful candidate for this post will become part of a progressive, innovative and ambitious business that holds a distinct set of values, based on respect for the individual. As well as having the opportunity to pursue their goals and achieve their ambitions, they will also be encouraged to contribute fresh ideas and take on new challenges that test their abilities and elevate their performance to new levels.

THE ROLE

The Senior Category Lead is a senior Supply Chain role, accountable for leading the evaluation and integration of complex business requirements and developing innovative, value-adding commercial solutions. The role will provide strategic category and contracting advice to senior stakeholders, with a strong focus on HSE&A, governance, risk management and service excellence. The position will lead key supplier and partner interfaces, ensuring EnQuest objectives, commercial standards and audit requirements are achieved while delivering a value-driven service to the business.

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES

• Lead the delivery of integrated Supply Chain support within an Exploration and Production (E&P) environment across suppliers and contractors relevant to the assigned category.
• Act as a senior Supply Chain focal point and trusted commercial adviser to business stakeholders, building strong relationships and constructively challenging requirements where appropriate.
• Implement and maintain a safe production environment, abiding by and reinforcing Company's HSE&A policy.
• Develop, implement and maintain effective category strategies for assigned areas of spend, supported by robust Contractor Performance Management programmes that position both EnQuest and its contractors for success.
• Lead and champion change associated with contract consolidation, standardisation and the adoption of preferred commercial and category management approaches.
• Provide a high-quality service to business users, balancing cost, value, risk, expediency and operational efficiency.
• Lead complex and high-value contract negotiations and contract management activities, ensuring EnQuest commercial standards are applied and material commercial and contractual risks are appropriately mitigated.
• Lead the delivery of effective supplier and contractor performance management, including escalation and resolution of material performance issues.
• Undertake market, supplier and commercial analysis to identify emerging trends, risks and value opportunities, translating findings into clear recommendations for stakeholders.
• Lead lean process management and re-engineering activities, as required, to maximise efficiency within the Contracts function and drive continuous operational and contractor improvement.
• Effective evaluation and management of supplier risks through systematic audit procedures.
• Lead and actively contribute to wider Supply Chain initiatives, sharing knowledge and supporting the development of colleagues where appropriate.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Interpersonal

• Excellent interpersonal and networking skills.
• Ability to articulate issues in a clear and concise manner.
• High level of influencing and stakeholder management skills, including confidence engaging with senior leaders.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Customer services and interpersonal skills.
• Meeting facilitation/ Multi-media presentation skills.
• Advanced negotiation skills, with the ability to lead complex commercial discussions and secure sustainable outcomes.

Skills & attributes

• Presents self in a professional and ethical manner appropriate to the role and values of EnQuest.
• Produces work of accurate and presentable quality in the appropriate formats.
• Works in a collaborative manner.
• Strategic and analytical thinking, with the ability to translate business priorities into practical category and contracting strategies.
• Strong commercial judgement, including the evaluation, management and escalation of risk within a supply management context.
• Customer focussed orientation with the ability to fully understand and respond to customer requirements.
• Modelling of costs and evaluation of SCM solutions in an Exploration and Production environment.
• The ability to make and clearly justify effective, value-driven decisions within short timeframes and with appropriate autonomy.

Experience

• Able to demonstrate sustained personal effectiveness, ownership and leadership in previous senior Supply Chain, category management or contracting roles.
• Can demonstrate extensive experience in the negotiation and drafting of UKCS supply chain agreements, including strong working knowledge of commercial and contractual terms and conditions.
• Can demonstrate in-depth experience of leading end-to-end sourcing and contracting activities for complex, high-value, multimillion-dollar contracts.
• An understanding of E&P activity, particularly in relation to the UKCS where practical experience must be demonstrated.
• Comprehensive understanding of the key strategic drivers relevant to upstream operations and the commercial, contractual and supply chain risks that must be understood and mitigated.
• A working knowledge of Oil & Gas Supply Chain in the relevant areas of business.
• Proven experience of leading effective Contractor Performance Management programmes and managing senior supplier relationships.
• Well versed in Contract structures, templates, formats with special emphasis on LOGIC.
• The ability to demonstrate an understanding of contracting within an ERP application and the governance controls required throughout the contract lifecycle.

QUALIFICATIONS

• A university degree preferably in Business, Legal, Commercial, Supply Chain or QS.

We pursue our growth strategy. We apply our capabilities to challenge, develop and implement focused improvement programmes in a financially disciplined way, adding value and delivering Safe Results in challenging environments in the UK, Middle East and Asia. With opportunities to contribute and develop as part of an independent production and development company with interests in the UK North Sea and Malaysia, we have a diverse range of roles to make a positive difference through innovation.