Category Manager - Drilling, Completions & Subsurface (DCS) at Sahara Group

Sahara Group is a leading international energy and infrastructure conglomerate with operations in over 38 countries across Africa, Middle East, Europe and Asia. Spanning three decades, we have broken ground and challenged stereotypes across the global business landscape. The women and men who make up our organization are our strongest levers for growth.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Category Manager - Drilling, Completions & Subsurface (DCS)

Job Identification: 456
Location: Lagos, Nigeria
Job Schedule: Full time

Key Duties and Responsibilities

• Develop and execute category strategies for drilling, completions, and subsurface goods and services, ensuring alignment with corporate objectives and budgets.
• Identify, qualify, and develop suppliers, including local and international vendors, to meet operational and Nigerian Content (NOGICD) requirements.
• Negotiate and manage contracts for drilling rigs, well completion services, downhole tools, and subsurface materials to secure best value and compliance.
• Conduct market analysis and cost benchmarking to optimize procurement spend and support strategic sourcing decisions.
• Collaborate with engineering and operational teams to understand technical specifications, project timelines, and operational needs.
• Monitor supplier performance and manage risks, ensuring quality, schedule adherence, and compliance with HSE standards.
• Ensure compliance with regulatory and internal procurement policies, including NOGICD Act obligations and audit readiness.
• Maintain accurate procurement data and reporting, providing insights for category planning, spend visibility, and decision-making.
• Identify opportunities for process improvement to enhance efficiency, reduce costs, and strengthen supplier relationships.
• Support budget planning and cost control for the DCS category, ensuring expenditures align with financial objectives.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in an Engineering or sub-surface discipline preferably Petroleum Engineering, Drilling Engineering, Subsea/Mechanical Engineering, Petrophysics, Geo-science, or a closely related discipline.
• Postgraduate qualification (MSc/MBA) in Supply Chain Management, Procurement, or Engineering Management is advantageous.
• Professional certifications such as CIPS (Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply), APICS/CPIM, or PMI are a plus.
• Minimum of 12 years of upstream oil and gas experience, specifically in drilling, completions, or subsurface operations.
• Proven experience in strategic sourcing, category management, and supplier management for mechanical, electrical, instrumentation, or civil engineering materials/services.
• Hands-on experience with local and international suppliers, including Nigerian Content (NOGICD) compliance.
• Experience in contract negotiation, cost optimization, and procurement governance in a regulated E&P environment.
• Familiarity with ERP procurement systems (SAP, Oracle) and asset integrity/maintenance planning is preferred.

Skills and Competencies:

• Knowledge in Subsurface, Petroleum/Drilling Engineering or SCM with upstream drilling experience
• Skill proficiency in relevant industry standards and regulatory reporting requirements
• Proficiency in cost engineering
• Conversant with usual business suites (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
• Awareness of in-house tools: Oracle Fusion, etc.

Application Closing Date
15th Febraury, 2026.