Manager, Enterprise Material

Job Summary

The Manager, Enterprise Materials Procurement is responsible for strategically leading category management, sourcing direction, supplier relationship management, and long-term procurement planning across Enterprise Materials categories supporting CenterPoint Energy's Electric and Gas Operations. This role provides oversight for critical utility material categories, including but not limited to Meters & Regulators, Maintenance, Repair & Operations (MRO), Safety Supplies, Gas Material Distribution, Electric Material Distribution, and Gas Pipe Support. The manager partners closely with key business stakeholders to ensure the supply base can reliably support enterprise objectives, system reliability, growth programs, emergency response, and day-to-day operations using appropriate metrics and benchmarking. The Manager provides governance, strategic direction, escalation management, and decision support to ensure effective execution and alignment with enterprise procurement strategies.

Essential Functions

• Leads strategic sourcing initiatives to optimize company spend and achieve business objectives.
• Partners with subject matter experts and internal stakeholders to gather requirements and develop sourcing strategies.
• Manages the end-to-end sourcing process, including proposal development, bidding, evaluation, and contract negotiations.
• Develops and executes data-driven analyses to support sourcing decisions and category strategy development.
• Evaluates alternatives and recommends solutions that align with business needs and risk considerations.
• Ensures adherence to purchasing policies, procedures, and internal controls.
• Maintains ownership of Supply Chain policies, procedures, standard work instructions, and training materials.
• Oversees maintenance of Supply Chain intranet and supplier portal content.
• Leads the development and negotiation of supplier contracts, including master and blanket agreements, to mitigate risk and meet business requirements.
• Monitors market conditions to ensure effective cost, quality, and supply management.
• Develops and implements evaluation tools (e.g., scorecards, should-cost models, total cost of ownership models) to support procurement decisions.
• Manages supplier relationships, including pricing, contract administration, and performance monitoring.
• Leads, mentors, and develops a team of Buyers to achieve departmental goals and build organizational capability.

Education Description

• Requires a Bachelor’s degree, preferably in a supply chain or business discipline.

Experience

• 6+ years of relevant experience. Strong knowledge of ERP systems functionality and design. Direct experience in leading tactical procurement initiatives and contract negotiations. Must have demonstrated experience in procurement analytics, process management, leadership and staff development