Category Manager, Drilling Rigs in Houston, Texas at Fervo Energy Company

Fervo is building the most cost-effective, repeatable geothermal power plants in the world, and drilling is where that cost competitiveness is won or lost. Rig selection, contract structure, and supplier performance have a direct impact on well cost and schedule, making the Category Manager for Drilling Rigs one of the most commercially consequential roles in the supply chain organization.

The Category Manager, Drilling Rigs will report to the Director of Supply Chain and own the full category lifecycle for onshore drilling rigs, from strategy development through contract execution and ongoing supplier performance management. This role requires deep expertise in rig contracting, strong commercial instincts, and the ability to work closely with drilling engineering and field operations teams in a fast-paced environment.

The Category Manager, Drilling Rigs will develop and execute the sourcing strategy for Fervo's onshore drilling rig fleet, managing supplier relationships, leading commercial negotiations, and ensuring that rig contracts are structured to deliver cost, performance, and operational reliability. This role sits at the intersection of supply chain and drilling operations, requiring both category expertise and a practical understanding of how rigs perform in the field.

Success in this position means having the right rigs under the right commercial terms, with suppliers that are held accountable to performance standards and continuously improving. The Category Manager will be expected to drive measurable cost savings and value creation while building category strategies that support Fervo's long-term drilling program.

Responsibilities

Category Strategy & Sourcing

• Own the category strategy for onshore drilling rigs including long-term sourcing models, supplier portfolio management, and 3 to 5 year category plans aligned with drilling program forecasts and corporate objectives.
• Manage the full category lifecycle from strategy development through RFP execution, commercial evaluation, award, and contract execution.
• Identify and deliver opportunities for cost reduction, cost avoidance, and value creation across the rig category.

Commercial Strategy & Contract Negotiation

• Lead development and negotiation of complex, multi-year, multi-rig agreements with top-tier drilling contractors, including performance-based structures tied to ROP, NPT reduction, and rig uptime.
• Evaluate and implement advanced commercial models including incentive and penalty structures, integrated service arrangements, and index-based pricing mechanisms.
• Drive standardization of contract frameworks to increase execution speed and flexibility across the drilling program.

Supplier Performance Management

• Define and track category-level KPIs including cost per foot, cost per well, rate of penetration, non-productive time, and rig uptime and utilization.
• Conduct regular business reviews with drilling contractors to drive continuous improvement, address performance gaps, and surface opportunities for operational efficiency.
• Partner with drilling engineers, field operations, and digital teams to validate supplier performance in the field and identify opportunities to improve drilling outcomes.

Cross-Functional Collaboration & Digital Integration

• Work closely with drilling engineering, field operations, finance, and legal to align sourcing strategies with program schedules, well designs, and budget requirements.
• Partner with drilling and digital teams to ensure rig suppliers meet data-sharing and interoperability requirements, including real-time drilling data integration and automation technology compatibility.
• Embed data-driven decision-making into sourcing evaluation, contract management, and ongoing performance oversight.

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management or a related field
• 10 or more years of experience in upstream oil and gas with deep exposure to rig contracting and drilling services category management
• Demonstrated experience negotiating and managing drilling rig contracts across multiple suppliers and operating environments
• Strong knowledge of onshore drilling operations, rig performance metrics, and drilling contractor commercial models
• Experience with unconventional or high-volume drilling programs such as Permian or Eagle Ford operations
• Strong analytical, negotiation, and problem-solving skills with the ability to communicate complex commercial issues clearly to senior stakeholders

Preferred

• Experience supporting geothermal, directional, or technically complex drilling programs
• Familiarity with performance-based contracting models, integrated service arrangements, or digital rig technologies
• Self-starter with a track record of developing and executing strategic sourcing initiatives with measurable outcomes
• Ability to influence senior leaders through well-structured written and verbal communication

Location

Fervo Energy is headquartered in Houston, TX. This position will be eligible for some hybrid work flexibility, but regular in-office presence at the Houston location will be required. Although office based, some travel to Fervo operational sites may be required.