Category Manager, Pipes, Valves & Fittings, Pacific Link

Trans Mountain Corporation operates Canada’s only pipeline system transporting oil products to the West Coast. We deliver approximately 890,000 barrels of petroleum products each day through a dual pipeline system of more than 1,150 kilometres of pipeline in Alberta, British Columbia and Washington state.

Trans Mountain also operates a state-of-the-art loading facility, Westridge Marine Terminal, with three berths providing tidewater access to global markets.  

As a federal Crown corporation, Trans Mountain continues to build on more than 70 years of experience delivering operational and safety excellence through our crude oil pipeline system. 

With our expanded pipeline system now in place, Trans Mountain provides enhanced direct access for Canadian crude oil to world markets. The expansion realizes a world-class system for oil transport, developed to Canada’s high standards within one of the most stringent regulatory regimes in the world, creating long-term economic benefits, enhanced marine protection, enhanced safety and emergency management capabilities, and enhanced skilled-worker capacity building in communities and Indigenous groups.

Our Core Values

Trans Mountain’s core values – Safety, Integrity, Respect and Excellence – guide our every step. Each obstacle we’ve overcome or success we’ve experienced has been the result of a shared commitment to living these values every day. Together, we’re focused on doing the right thing for each other and our communities. If you are looking for an opportunity to apply your strengths in an environment that encourages Safety, Integrity, Respect, and Excellence, we invite you to explore this opportunity with us!

Location: Calgary Head Office

Department: Pacific Link

Reports to: Director, SCM Materials, Logistics & Owner Managed Services

Worker Type: Employee

Schedule Type: Full-time

Work Setting: In-office

Trans Mountain is seeking a collaborative, motivated, and values driven individual to join our dynamic team as a Category Manager, Pipes, Valves & Fittings, Pacific Link. In this role, you will lead strategic planningand procurement, P.O./contract formation (including INCO terms, GC’s, pricing, warranties, delay/termination and other key terms), negotiations, fabrication/production schedule monitoring, reporting (including RAS/ROS dates, shipping, customs), administration (including change management, records management, ITP deliverables & ensuring technical document delivery by vendors and vendor reporting, invoice reviews/attestation support and follow-through), supplier qualification coordination and supplier relationship management for line pipe, valves, fittings, flanges, coatings, and related pipeline materials. This may including coordination of transportation & logistics pertaining to the category beyond oversight or, coordination with T&L resources and subject matter experts.

Working closely with Engineering, Construction, Operations, Quality, Materials Management, Logistics, Project Controls, Legal, Insurance, Finance, and other project disciplines or stakeholders, the Category Manager will help ensure critical materials are sourced, manufactured, inspected, and delivered in alignment with technical requirements, construction sequencing, project milestones, and commercial objectives. This position provides the opportunity to influence major material procurement strategies, develop and en strategic supplier and manufacturer relationships, and contribute to successful project delivery through effective cost, schedule, quality, and supply risk management.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and execute relevant material and equipment category and sourcing strategies for line pipe, valves, fittings, flanges, coatings, and related pipeline materials. This may include related assemblies and/or coordination thereto.
• Develop supply market intelligence, supplier capacity assessments, manufacturing schedules, and procurement plans for critical material including risk identification and mitigation plans or strategies.
• Translate project demand, engineering specifications, and construction schedules into coordinated sourcing strategies and procurement timelines.
• Monitor steel, commodity, manufacturing, transportation, and market conditions that may affect material pricing, availability, or delivery. This includes understanding of geopolitical and domestic policy, tariff or trade agreement impacts to supply, costs and transportation of critical materials and equipment.
• Lead supplier/vendor prequalification, shop/mill/materials qualification, market engagement, RFI/EOI, RFP, and RFQ activities as applicable.
• Lead commercial evaluations, negotiations, recommendations and strategic supply allocation alignment and approvals with follow-through on contract/P.O. award and execution in accordance with procurement governance, policies, procedures and delegated authorities.
• Oversee full life-cycle contract or P.O. management & administration, including change management, claims or regulatory support while providing indirect mentorship to contract/purchasing administrators and/or specialists.
• Structure commercial protections related to material quality, testing and inspection requirements, manufacturing schedules, delivery commitments, liquidated damages, warranties, non-conformance or breech, and supplier performance management. Includes leading development of reporting, where required, to support stakeholders and project leadership deliverables.
• Coordinate commercial requirements with Engineering, Construction, Operations, Quality, Materials Management, Legal, Insurance, Regulatory and Logistics teams to ensure alignment with technical specifications, stakeholder, legislative, corporate and project execution requirements.
• Manage relationships with mills, manufacturers, distributors, and strategic suppliers, including supplier development and, where applicable, sole-source risk mitigation initiatives, justification and documentation.
• Coordinate supplier data requirements, manufacturing progress, inspection and test plans, quality documentation, material testing and traceability records, logistics, and site delivery requirements.
• Monitor supplier performance, manufacturing progress, and delivery schedules, and implement recovery plans where required.
• Work with Materials Management, Logistics, and Construction teams to coordinate INCO term compliance, transportation, custody transfer, handling, storage, preservation, allocation, and delivery of materials. This includes ensuring schedules align with the overall project schedule and construction requirements for ROS/RAS and inventory receipt, tracking, and management.
• Support inventory optimization and material allocation decisions to minimize shortages, surplus inventory, expediting costs, and construction disruption.
• Support material warranty, claims, non-conformance, and contract close-out activities.
• Develop lifecycle cost analyses and total-cost-of-ownership evaluations for major material and sourcing decisions.
• Maintain category dashboards, supplier performance measures, procurement forecasts, and risk reporting for critical pipeline materials.
• Support other material and service categories as required.

Qualifications and Professional Experience

• Post-secondary education in Supply Chain Management, Engineering, Business, or related disciplines.
• A professional supply chain designation, such as SCMP or CPSM, is an asset.
• 15+ years of progressive experience in category management, strategic sourcing, procurement, contract management, or related supply chain functions.
• Significant experience procuring line pipe, valves, fittings, flanges, coatings, or comparable engineered materials for pipeline, energy, industrial, or infrastructure projects.
• Strong understanding of engineered-material contracting, manufacturing processes, inspection and testing requirements, quality documentation, material traceability, warranties, customs requirements and tariff impacts, and delivery arrangements.
• Experience leading complex commercial negotiations and strategic sourcing initiatives.
• Demonstrated experience managing relationships with manufacturers, mills, distributors, and strategic suppliers.
• Demonstrated understanding and network of key professionals, representatives and decision makers pertaining to suppliers, vendors, fabricators and associated service providers (example: transportation, logistics, coatings, preservation, maintenance, repair or parts replacement, etc.).
• Technical literacy related to pipeline materials, specifications, manufacturing, quality requirements, and material-handling considerations.
• Knowledge of applicable CSA, API, ASME, and ASTM standards is an asset.
• Experience managing long-lead materials, manufacturing schedules, inspection milestones, transportation constraints, and supply risks.
• Strong commercial and financial acumen, including pricing analysis, escalation mechanisms, lifecycle costing, and total-cost evaluation.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with colleagues and stakeholders from a variety of backgrounds and levels across the organization.
• Effective communication skills, including the ability to convey commercial and technical information clearly, respectfully, and professionally.
• Proven organization skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities, meet deadlines, take initiative, demonstrate resourcefulnes in solving complex challenges and maintain attention to detail in a fast-paced environment.
• Commitment to inclusive practices and a willingness to contribute positively to a collaborative and supportive workplace culture.

Working Conditions

• Daily attendance in an office environment on a regular work schedule when not travelling for business reasons or away on vacation.
• Willingness and ability to travel as required to supplier facilities, manufacturing locations, storage yards, project offices, construction sites, inspections, and project-related meetings.
• Periodic travel throughout Alberta, British Columbia, and other project-related locations may be required. Ability to travel outside of Canada, where required.
• May need to provide support outside of regular business hours and/or on weekends during critical sourcing events, manufacturing milestones, inspections, delivery issues, and project milestones.
• Field visits may involve exposure to active construction sites, industrial facilities, storage yards, remote locations, and varying weather conditions.
• Must be bondable with no prior criminal history and uphold the highest ethical standards.

At Trans Mountain, we believe in an inclusive, accessible, and barrier free recruitment and selection process for all applicants. If you require an accommodation at any point in the process, please contact us at: Talent@transmountain.com or the designated Talent Acquisition Advisor. Accommodation requests will not affect the assessment of your application or candidacy or the designated Talent Acquisition Advisor. Accommodation requests will not affect the assessment of your application or candidacy.

We Build Careers and Pipelines That Last

Our story is about determination, resourcefulness and resilience. It’s about charting our own course, finding innovative solutions to challenging problems and doing the right thing. It was true when Trans Mountain became a company in 1951 and it’s just as true today. We welcome new members to our team that embrace the qualities in our story, that thrive on the new path and directions we take.  Our culture is one of care and taking our responsibilities seriously. If you would like to contribute to our culture, then join our journey.

A Rewarding Opportunity

We offer:

• Valuable experience providing opportunity for professional development and career advancement;
• An opportunity to engage with and learn from some of the most talented and experienced people in the business;
• Competitive compensation;
• Comprehensive benefits programs including flexible benefits, pension and savings plans;
• A place to share a sense of purpose and build relationships;
• Meaningful work that makes a difference;
• An opportunity within the Canadian energy industry.

We value:

• The health, safety and wellness of everyone working in our company;
• Meaningful participation from Indigenous and local communities;
• The commitment and resilience of our people;
• Collaboration and achieving success together. 

In keeping with Trans Mountain’s commitment to maximize benefits for communities, priority will be given to qualified candidates from Indigenous, local and regional communities along the Trans Mountain pipeline corridor.

In Alberta, the pipeline system spans the traditional territories of Treaty 6, 7 and 8, and the Métis Nation of Alberta (Zone 4).

In British Columbia, the system crosses the traditional territories of numerous First Nations that are affiliated with the Secwepemc, Dakelh (Carrier), Nlaka'pamux, Syilx/Okanagan, Interior and Coast Salish, Stó:lo, as well as the Métis.

Trans Mountain also operates through 15 First Nation Reserves located within the region spanning the BC interior through Fraser Valley.

Our Commitment to Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accessibility (IDEA)

Trans Mountain is committed to fostering inclusion, diversity, equity and accessibility.  The diverse viewpoints and cultural knowledge that our employees bring to work enrich our organization’s collective cultural understanding, which is reflected in the work we do every day.  We strive to create an environment that is free of barriers to promote full participation in the workplace. Trans Mountain welcomes new team members from traditionally underrepresented groups, including but not limited to women, Indigenous Peoples, members of racialized groups, persons with disabilities and members of the 2SLGBTQI+ community.