Materials Manager, Southern Gas Operations (SGO) and Minnesota Utilities

Job Summary

CenterPoint Energy is looking for a Materials Manager, Southern Gas Operations (SGO) and Minnesota Utilities to join our Gas Operations Purchasing and Logistics Team, located in Houston, TX. 

You will have the ability to: be responsible for overseeing the procurement, data governance, and distribution of materials and equipment for a natural gas utility. This role ensures that all necessary materials are available for the construction, maintenance, and operation of the gas distribution network, while optimizing costs and maintaining regulatory compliance.
 

Essential Functions

To be successful in this role you will: 

Procurement and Supply Chain Management:

• Lead the implementation of an enterprise-wide Master Data Governance strategy for materials management across functional groups for best practices on Material ID Governance within an SAP ECC system.
• Develop and manage procurement strategies to ensure timely availability of materials and equipment.
• Collaborate with Procurement to negotiate contracts with suppliers to secure cost-effective, high-quality materials.
• Collaborate with demand planning, engineering, operations, and project management teams to forecast material needs.
• Maintain relationships with key suppliers and evaluate supplier performance based on quality, cost, and delivery metrics.
• Coordinate the transportation of materials to various work sites, ensuring timely delivery to support field operations.

Inventory Management:

• Develop and oversee an effective master data governance process / policies in collaboration with engineering, operations, and IT.
• Oversee inventory levels to avoid shortages or excess stock, ensuring materials are available when needed.
• Implement inventory control systems, ensuring accurate tracking, storage, and distribution of materials.
• Develop and maintain inventory policies and procedures to optimize stock levels and minimize carrying costs.

Regulatory Compliance and Reporting:

• Ensure all materials are handled in compliance with industry regulations and safety standards.
• Maintain accurate records of material usage, inventory levels, and procurement activities.
• Prepare and submit reports on material costs, usage, and inventory levels to senior management.

Team Leadership:

• Supervise and mentor materials and staff across multiple sites and regions, fostering a culture of safety, efficiency, and teamwork.
• Provide training and development opportunities to ensure the team stays updated on industry best practices and regulations.
   

Education Description

Your background includes: 

• Bachelor’s degree in supply chain management, Logistics, Business Administration, Engineering or a related field. 

Experience

• Minimum of 5-7 years of experience in materials management, preferably within the natural gas, utility or energy sector. 
• Experience in procurement, inventory management, master data governance and supplier negotiation.

A bonus to have: 

• Master’s degree is preferred. 
• Certified in Production and Inventory Management (CPIM)
• Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP)
• Lean Six Sigma certification