Senior Manager, SCM Operations Category Management

Worker Type: Employee
Job Post End Date: 11/09/2026
About this opportunity:
The Senior Manager, SCM Operations Category Management position is an exciting leadership opportunity to lead strategic sourcing, contracting and category management across Cenovus assets. Reporting to the Director, SCM Operations, the successful candidate will lead a high-performing team and collaborate closely with multiple business stakeholders to develop and execute strategies that deliver sustainable value, strengthen supplier relationships, and support operational and corporate objectives.
The role provides end-to-end accountability for the procurement lifecycle, from strategic planning, sourcing, tendering, and commercial negotiations through contract award, supplier performance management, and ongoing category optimization. It oversees the Services, Chemicals, Materials & Equipment categories, with a focus on delivering value, managing supply and commercial risk, improving supplier performance, and continuously enhancing SCM processes.
As a senior leader, this position works across business units and functions to align priorities, anticipate evolving business needs, and develop practical solutions to complex supply chain challenges. The role requires strong commercial judgment, collaboration, communication, and people leadership, with the ability to influence stakeholders and translate corporate requirements into effective business outcomes.
What you’ll do:
Lead, coach, and develop a high-performing team including recruitment, performance development discussions, compensation recommendations, workload planning, effective delegation, and stretch opportunities that build capability and support career growth
Drive business performance and organizational health by establishing clear priorities, setting expectations, and reinforcing accountability while fostering an engaged, collaborative, and results-oriented team environment
Provide strategic oversight of the Services, Chemicals, Materials & Equipment categories, leading sourcing and contracting strategies, supplier performance management, and the identification and mitigation of commercial, contractual, operational, financial, reputational, ethical, and supply chain risk
Partner with business stakeholders and suppliers to develop sourcing and category management strategies aligned with Cenovus objectives, identify and quantify value opportunities, and improve total cost of ownership, quality, service, reliability, and drive improved cost, quality, service, reliability and supply outcomes
Identify and manage supplier and market risks while balancing risk mitigation with opportunities for innovation, value creation, and improved business performance
Champion continuous improvement across SCM Operations by simplifying processes, implementing best practices, enhancing ways of working, and adapting priorities to evolving business requirements
Support the development and evolution of the SCM Operations operating model, including team structure, interfaces with Upstream and Downstream businesses, alignment with peer SCM functions, and clearly defined roles, responsibilities, and RACIs
Establish, monitor, and communicate key performance metrics for sourcing and contracting, value delivery, cost, quality, supplier performance, and operational execution, using data-driven insights to identify improvement opportunities and strengthen business outcomes
Build strong cross-functional partnerships and influence decision-making across business units and functions, aligning stakeholders around shared objectives and delivering practical, sustainable solutions
Communicate complex information clearly and effectively, tailoring messages to diverse audiences and ensuring corporate requirements, business priorities, risks, and recommendations are understood and translated into action
Who you are:
Our ideal candidate will have the following minimum requirements:
Legally authorized to work in Canada
Undergraduate degree in a technical or business discipline, or equivalent combination of education and experience; professional Supply Chain certification such as SCMP, CSCP, CIPS, or ISM is an asset
16+ years of experience in Supply Chain Management, Finance, or related disciplines, including 10+ years in progressively senior leadership roles
Extensive knowledge and experience in category management, strategic sourcing, contracting, supplier relationship management, and end-to-end procurement processes
Strong understanding of Procure-to-Pay (P2P), master data management and governance, SAP, financial and commercial analysis, and data analytics and visualization tools
Demonstrated experience leading large, multidisciplinary teams, including people leaders, with a focus on talent development, performance management, organizational effectiveness, and business results
We acknowledge the value of transferrable skills and may consider equivalent combinations of experience and education should you not meet a specific requirement.
Note: The application deadline for this position is 11:59 PM MT November 8, 2026.
Cenovus was ranked one of Canada’s Best Employers in 2025. We’re committed to being an employer of choice in our industry by offering a competitive total rewards package and employee programs and rewarding career development opportunities. Learn more.
If you require accessibility assistance to complete the on-line application or otherwise apply for an open position with Cenovus, its subsidiaries and affiliates, please email careeropportunities@cenovus.com.
Who we are:
Ranked as one of Canada’s Best Employers in 2025, Cenovus is an integrated energy company headquartered in Calgary. We’re committed to maximizing value by developing our assets in a safe, responsible and cost-efficient manner. We operate in Canada, the United States and the Asia Pacific region. Our operations include oil sands projects in northern Alberta, thermal and conventional crude oil and natural gas projects across Western Canada, crude oil production offshore Newfoundland and Labrador and natural gas and liquids production offshore China and Indonesia. Cenovus’s downstream operations include upgrading, refining and marketing operations in Canada and the United States.
Find Cenovus on LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram.
The Cenovus experience
Total rewards
We’re committed to being an employer of choice through competitive compensation and our comprehensive total rewards package, including:
Paid vacation (including a flex day program for eligible staff)
Health & dental benefits
Substantial mental health coverage
Life insurance
Disability benefits
Employee family assistance
Virtual healthcare coverage
Our development philosophy
We foster a culture of continuous learning and development to support employees as they build meaningful careers. We offer a variety of employee development initiatives, including:
Internal course offerings
Education assistance for additional development
Opportunities to work on special projects
Leadership development programs for emerging and established leaders
We actively promote internal job movement, recognizing the value of gaining new perspectives, building connections across teams, and applying expertise in new ways. As a fully integrated energy company, we believe that sharing knowledge across our business and operations creates stronger outcomes—for employees and for the company as a whole.
Our culture
Our purpose: We energize the world to make people’s lives better.
Our values:
Protect what matters
Do it right
Make it better
Do it together
Cenovus Cares: We believe in the power of purpose-driven work. Our Employee Giving and Volunteering Program, Cenovus Cares, connects our people to our purpose, inspiring action and elevating impact year-round.
Support causes you care about with volunteer opportunities in and outside of work.
Earn donation grants while volunteering (up to $1,000 per event).
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