Job Description
Category Manager – Drilling Rigs Overview: The
Category Manager – Drilling Rigs will own sourcing, supplier relationships, commercial negotiations, ensuring a seamless flow of materials and services that meet the high standards of cost, quality, safety, and sustainability. This role will be responsible for supporting all phases of geothermal drilling operations. This role requires deep expertise in supply chain best practices, a proven track record of working with complex drilling projects, and the ability to lead cross-functional teams in a fast-paced environment. The Category Manager will report to the Senior Category Manager.
- Strategic Sourcing and Category Management
- Own the regional category strategy for onshore drilling rigs, including long-term sourcing models and supplier portfolio management.
- Manage the full category lifecycle from strategy development through contract execution and supplier performance management.
- Develop 3–5 year category strategies aligned with drilling program forecasts and corporate objectives.
- Identify opportunities for cost reduction, cost avoidance, and value creation across drilling operations.
- Advanced Commercial and Contracting Strategy
- Lead development of next-generation contracting models, including:
- Performance-based and outcome-driven contracts (ROP, NPT reduction, uptime)
- Incentive/penalty structures tied to drilling efficiency
- Integrated service models (rig directional digital services)
- Negotiate complex, multi-year, multi-rig agreements with top-tier drilling contractors.
- Drive standardization and modularization of contract frameworks to increase speed and flexibility.
- Digital and Technology Integration
- Partner with Drilling and Digital teams to incorporate:
- Real-time drilling data integration (WITS/WITSML, SCADA, IoT-enabled rigs)
- Automation technologies (auto-drillers, remote operations, AI-assisted drilling optimization)
- Predictive maintenance and rig performance analytics
- Ensure suppliers are aligned with digital interoperability and data-sharing requirements.
- Embed data-driven decision-making into sourcing and performance management
- Performance Management and Value Creation
- Define and track category-level KPIs, including:
- Cost per foot / cost per well
- Rate of penetration (ROP)
- Non-productive time (NPT)
- Rig uptime and utilization
- Drive continuous improvement programs with suppliers and drilling teams.
- Deliver measurable cost savings, cost avoidance, and value creation outcomes.
- Cross Functional Leadership
- Work closely with drilling engineers, field operations, finance, legal and other stakeholders to align supply chain strategies with project timelines and budgets.
- Align sourcing strategies with drilling program schedules and operational priorities.
Required Qualifications: - Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management or related field
- Minimum 10 years of experience in upstream oil & gas, with deep exposure to drilling operations or rig contracting
- Experience negotiating and managing drilling rig contracts.
- Demonstrated experience managing large-scale drilling service categories.
- Strong knowledge of onshore drilling operations and rig performance metrics.
- Experience in unconventional shale plays (Permian, Eagle Ford, etc.)
Preferred Qualifications: - Self-starter with a track record of developing, implementing, and managing strategic supply chain initiatives
- Ability to influence management through the use of high quality, well-structured communications, both written and verbal to ensure linkage with business strategies and drive understanding of the resulting impact.
- Strong analytical, critical thinking, negotiation and problem solving skills
With over 90 years' combined experience, NES Fircroft (NES) is proud to be the world's leading engineering staffing provider spanning the Oil & Gas, Power & Renewables, Chemicals, Construction & Infrastructure, Life Sciences, Mining and Manufacturing sectors worldwide. With more than 80 offices in 45 countries, we are able to provide our clients with the engineering and technical expertise they need, wherever and whenever it is needed. We offer contractors far more than a traditional recruitment service, supporting with everything from securing visas and work permits, to providing market-leading benefits packages and accommodation, ensuring they are safely and compliantly able to support our clients.
Job Tags
Full time, Contract work, For contractors, Remote work, Worldwide