Senior Specialist, Materials Management

Job Summary

CenterPoint Energy is seeking an experienced and driven Materials Management Senior Specialist to strengthen procurement execution, supplier performance, and materials availability across the business. Reporting to the Materials Manager, this role combines hands on daily purchasing leadership with the ability to manage upward by providing clear status, risk visibility, and data driven recommendations to leadership. The Senior Specialist will also contribute to process standardization, KPI reporting, and supply chain resiliency initiatives aligned to enterprise objectives.

Essential Functions

Purchasing Operations Leadership and Execution: Direct and participate in day‑to‑day procurement tasks, including PO processing, order expediting, supplier follow up, and resolution of receiving and invoice discrepancies. Maintain high data integrity and system discipline across purchase order lifecycle management, documentation, and material records to support audit readiness and consistent execution.

Stakeholder Communication and Leadership Enablement: Provide clear, decision ready updates to the Materials Manager and cross functional stakeholders by translating operational status, constraints, and risks into actionable recommendations. Coordinate across operations, finance, and IT to resolve issues efficiently, reinforce policy and regulatory compliance, and ensure aligned execution across the materials management process.

Inventory and Materials Planning: Collaborate with planning and operations teams to manage inventory levels, and reduce risk of stockouts or excess while supporting emergency materials readiness. Identify supply constraints early, expedite critical materials when needed, and escalate risks with clear mitigation options to maintain continuity of operations.

Reporting, Analytics, and Continuous Improvement: Develop and maintain performance reporting and dashboards that surface key KPIs and trends, enabling proactive management of inventory optimization, supplier performance, and operational throughput. Drive continuous improvement by identifying process gaps, standardizing workflows, and supporting digital integration and automation initiatives that improve cycle time, controls, and data quality.

Education Description

Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Finance, Engineering, or related field. Advanced degree is preferred.

Experience

Qualifications & Experience:

8+ years of direct experience in materials management, procurement, or supply chain engineering, preferably in the utility or energy sector.

Proven ability to lead daily purchasing activities and perform hands‑on operations while effectively engaging with leadership for strategic alignment.

Proficiency in ERP platforms (SAP S4/HANA) and analytics tools such as Tableau or similar.

Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret complex data sets and develop actionable recommendations.

Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to collaborate effectively with suppliers and cross‑functional teams.

Experience in managing cross-functional teams and collaborating effectively with departments such as IT, finance, operations, and supply chain.

Ability and willingness to travel up to 50%, primarily to our corporate office in Houston, TX.

Preferred Qualifications:

Experience conducting industry benchmarking and competitive assessments to identify strategic opportunities in procurement practices, cost governance, and supplier strategy.

Demonstrated capability in quantitative analysis and predictive insights to support strategic planning, risk mitigation, and leadership decision support.

Experience designing enterprise level supply chain resiliency and emergency preparedness strategies to strengthen continuity of material supply during disruption events.

Physical Requirements

Working Conditions