Manager, Gas Procurement

CenterPoint Energy and its predecessor companies have been in business for more than 150 years. 

Our Vision: Our vision is to become the most admired utility in the United States through the execution of our long-term growth strategy. We have an unwavering commitment to safely and reliably deliver electricity and natural gas to millions of people. 

Our Commitment: CenterPoint Energy is committed to creating an inclusive work environment where business results are achieved through the skills, abilities and talents of our diverse workforce.

At CenterPoint Energy, individuals are respected for their contributions toward our company objectives. We strive for an inclusive work environment across all levels that is reflective of the available workforce in the communities we serve. 

Job Summary:

The procurement manager leads a Category team responsible for strategic sourcing activities and supplier management functions for utility categories. The ideal candidate will build organizational strength, create robust sourcing strategies, negotiate agreements, manage strategic supplier relationships, and drive continuous improvement in support of business objectives. This role will also be called upon to contribute to the broader procurement transformation.  Additional responsibilities include category management process, utilization of market intelligence, financial analysis, sourcing strategy and stakeholder management. This position is responsible for managing procurement categories including, but not limited to Construction, Materials, and Engineering services. This role requires regular engagement with stakeholders, assisting with the management of strategic sourcing, category management adoption, contract negotiations and developing cost reduction strategies on an enterprise level.

Essential Functions: 
•Responsible for leading a team of Procurement professionals to align & execute enterprise sourcing strategies for assigned commodities and spend categories as well as providing coaching and management oversight on work activities and work products
•Drive supplier negotiations, sourcing initiatives and multi-year category strategies that optimize CenterPoint Energy’s spend across the organization.
•Responsible for performance management, talent management and succession planning, ensuring that the appropriate tools and processes are in place to support the team.
•Ensure savings initiatives spanning cost reduction, cost avoidance, revenue enhancement, rebates, working capital, etc. are accurately documented, reviewed, reported and transferred to the annual operating budgets and long-term strategic plans.
•Applies broad and deep subject matter expertise to solve a variety of highly complex business issues.
•Promote collaboration and obtain buy-in with key stakeholders to ensure execution of category strategies.
•Utilization of market intelligence to perform market analysis activities such as should cost modeling, commodity indices etc. Manages industry pricing complexity through detailed and frequent analysis.
•Work cross-functionally with Legal, Risk and Data Privacy to mitigate risk in the contracting process.
•Demonstrate ability to develop, present and gain consensus on complex category strategies.
•Successfully lead through influence, experience and bringing category strategies to adoption.
•Self-starter, energetic and motivated to influence the future of the organization.
•Directly involved in contract negotiations/relationship management of high complexity, high risk contracts with significant (potential) business strategy impacts.
•Interpret and draft contract provisions to mitigate exposure to risk.
•Ensure all applicable contracts have appropriate terms and conditions, deliverables and KPIs.
•Demonstrates a proactive approach in meeting business partners' expectations through frequent communication, scope alignment, business requirements gathering, project execution and timeline management. 
•Creates a shared vision by embedding and integrating the role of strategic sourcing into various parts of the business.
•Other projects/activities/responsibilities as assigned
    
Basic Qualifications:
Education:  
Bachelor’s degree required or relevant CNP knowledge.

Experience:
•5+ years of sourcing/category management, contract negotiation/management, vendor management experience required. 
•Experience leading a team of direct reports required 
•Proven track record of success in identifying and achieving savings through the development and execution of category strategies. 
•Possesses a strong business acumen along with demonstrated cost center management experience 
•Knowledge of and experience in direct or operational categories preferred
•Comprehensive knowledge of contract negotiation and category management methodology.
•Occasional travel may be required.
•Highly functional in Excel, PowerPoint and Word. 
•Prior experience using Coupa and SAP for sourcing, spend and contracts management is a plus
•Demonstrated experience in leading strategic sourcing projects and multi-year category strategies from inception to implementation.
•Negotiate and draft enterprise-wide agreements that minimize financial and business risk exposure and provide optimal terms and conditions. Understand and negotiate business specific legal terms and conditions and explain them to clients in an easy-to-understand manner.
•Ability to influence others and to act as a change agent within the department and company.
    
This job description reflects and assignment of essential functions, it does not prescribe or restrict the tasks that may be assigned.  Other duties and tasks may be assigned to this job at the Company’s discretion.

We want you to know
Being a part of the CenterPoint Energy team is more than a career alone. It's an opportunity to make a positive impact. You will be an integral part of enabling everyday life and the pursuit of possibilities for the customers we serve and the communities we share. The vital services we provide are at the core of making our world work, and by sharing your energy with us, we'll create a better tomorrow together. 
 

What we bring to you

• Competitive pay
• Paid training
• Benefits eligibility begins on your first day
• Transit subsidies
• Flexible work schedule, paid holidays and paid time off
• Access to discounts at fitness clubs and an on-site wellness center at our headquarters in Houston
• Professional growth and development programs including tuition reimbursement
• 401(k) Savings Plan featuring a company match dollar-for-dollar up to 6% and a company contribution of 3% regardless of your contribution

Job Type: Full Time 
Posting Start Date: 06/06/2025​
Posting End Date: 06/20/2025

This contractor and subcontractor shall abide by the requirements of 41 CFR §§ 60-1.4(a), 60-300.5(a), and 60-741.5(a). These regulations prohibit discrimination against qualified individuals based on their status as protected veterans or individuals with disabilities and prohibit discrimination against all individuals based on their race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin. Moreover, these regulations require that covered prime contractors and subcontractors take affirmative action to employ and advance in employment individuals without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status or disability.

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