Category Manager – Drilling Rigs

Category Manager – Drilling Rigs (Contract-to-Hire or Direct Hire)

Location: Primarily focused on onshore rigs, mainly in Utah. Some travel may be required.

Work Model: Hybrid, with regular in-office presence required.

Hire Type: Contract-to-Hire (Manager open to direct hire for the right candidate)

Rates: Open

About the Role

The Category Manager – Drilling Rigs will own sourcing strategy, supplier relationships, commercial negotiations, and the seamless flow of materials and services that support highperformance geothermal drilling operations. This role requires deep expertise in supply chain best practices, experience navigating complex drilling programs, and the ability to lead cross-functional teams in a fastpaced environment.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Sourcing & Category Management

• Own the regional strategy for onshore drilling rigs, including longterm sourcing models and supplier portfolio planning.
• Manage the full category lifecycle from strategy creation through contracting and ongoing supplier performance management.
• Develop 3–5 year category strategies aligned to drilling forecasts and organizational objectives.
• Identify opportunities for cost reduction, cost avoidance, and value creation.

Advanced Commercial & Contracting Strategy

• Lead development of nextgeneration contracting models, including:
  • Performancebased and outcomedriven agreements (e.g., ROP, NPT reduction, uptime).
  • Incentive/penalty frameworks tied to drilling efficiency.
  • Integrated service models (rig + directional + digital services).
• Negotiate complex, multiyear agreements with major drilling contractors.
• Drive standardization and modularization of contract frameworks.

Digital & Technology Integration

• Collaborate with drilling and digital teams to integrate:
  • Realtime drilling data (WITS/WITSML, SCADA, IoTenabled rigs).
  • Automation technologies (autodrillers, remote operations, AIenabled optimization).
  • Predictive maintenance and performance analytics.
• Ensure supplier alignment with digital interoperability and datasharing requirements.
• Embed datadriven insights into sourcing and performance management workflows.

Performance Management & Value Delivery

• Define and track KPIs such as:
  • Cost per foot / cost per well
  • Rate of penetration (ROP)
  • Nonproductive time (NPT)
  • Rig uptime & utilization
• Lead continuous improvement programs with suppliers and operations teams.
• Deliver measurable cost savings, cost avoidance, and performance value.

CrossFunctional Leadership

• Partner closely with drilling engineering, field operations, finance, legal, and other internal stakeholders.
• Ensure supply chain strategies align with operational timelines and budget requirements.
• Support efficient coordination across drilling schedules and project priorities.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management or a related field
• 10+ years of experience in upstream oil & gas with significant exposure to drilling operations or rig contracting
• Proven success negotiating and managing drilling rig contracts
• Experience overseeing largescale drilling service categories
• Strong understanding of onshore drilling operations and rig performance metrics
• Experience in unconventional shale plays

Preferred Qualifications

• Selfstarter with a history of building and executing strategic supply chain initiatives
• Strong analytical, critical thinking, negotiation, and problemsolving abilities
• Excellent communication skills, able to influence and align stakeholders
• Experience managing complex, highimpact supplier relationships