Utility is delivering sustainable energy solutions, enabling the energy transition to a low carbon world. It’s our passion, our drive and why we exist. Our team combines world-leading expertise and thought leadership with many decades of industry experience. Leveraging our proprietary and differentiated solutions, Utility is unlocking beyond net-zero hydrogen production as the affordable clean energy of the future.
Position Overview:
We are seeking a results-driven and analytical
Strategic Procurement Manager
to develop sourcing and supplier relationship strategies that enable our rapid commercialization. This role is responsible for leading procurement initiatives across a broad range of categories that support cost-effective solutions, unlock supplier innovation, risk mitigation, and alignment with overall business objectives. The ideal candidate brings strong negotiation skills, deep market insight, and a proactive, data-driven approach to strategy creation.
This role involves collaborating cross-functionally with R&D, engineering and project execution teams to deliver end-to-end supply chain solutions built for short and long-term deployments. This role will work in our Houston office, located in the Energy Corridor.
Key Responsibilities:•Develop and execute global supplier/commodity/sourcing strategies for key categories (e.g., balance of plant, bulk materials, engineering services & select core technologies), ensuring that suppliers are capable of meeting technical and business requirements
•Collaborate with engineering and project execution to develop thorough bid packages (e.g., RFQs, ITBs)
•Establish supplier selection criteria, evaluate alternative suppliers, manage the RFQ process, lead complex bid analysis and drive final supplier selection in partnership with project execution, engineering, quality, and other cross-functional partners
•Properly prepare for and negotiate various agreements as needed with suppliers to establish best-in-class pricing, flexibility, quality, delivery, payment, warranty, and service terms
•Formulate contingency plans to de-risk technical challenges, long lead times, single sources, and geopolitical influences along the supply chain
•Accountable for staying informed of industry trends, best practices, and unlocking supplier innovations for designated categories
•Supports the execution of early phase project / Front End Loading development (particularly FEL-1 and FEL-2) by leveraging technical and economic input from suppliers in close collaboration with engineering and project execution
•Analyze and validate current cost models, adjusting as needed, to enable accurate and fast project economic analyses
•Support project execution with certain tactical procurement needs as required
Qualifications:
•Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Engineering, or related field (Master’s degree or relevant certification such as CPSM, CIPS, or PMP is a plus).
•7+ years of experience in strategic sourcing, procurement, or supply chain management, with a track record of implementing global supply chain strategies
•Strong negotiation, analytical, and project management skills.
•Proficient in procurement tools and ERP systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle, Coupa).
•Strong project management skills with the ability to manage multiple complex initiatives simultaneously.
•Experience working in a high-growth, fast-paced environment.
•Excellent problem-solving, decision-making, and leadership skills.
•Effective communication skills, capable of articulating complex technical concepts to diverse stakeholders and senior management.