Senior Specialist, Engineered Equipment

CenterPoint Energy, Inc.; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive pay

Paid training

Benefits from Day 1

Transit subsidies

Flexible schedule

Tuition reimbursement

401(k) match

Job summary

CenterPoint Energy is seeking a Senior Strategic Sourcing Specialist in Houston to own end-to-end category execution for assigned categories within the Strategic Sourcing & Category Management portfolio.

You will manage complex sourcing events, supplier qualification programs, and negotiations, while maintaining proactive stakeholder relationships with Engineering, Operations, Project Management, and Business Units. Bachelor’s degree required and 5–9 years of experience.

Qualifications

• 5–9 years of sourcing, procurement, or supply chain experience with demonstrated responsibility for managing complete sourcing events for complex or engineered goods categories.
• Proven ability to develop RFP packages, manage bid evaluation, and produce award recommendations independently.
• Demonstrated commercial negotiation experience including preparation of negotiation briefings and independent execution of supplier negotiations.

Responsibilities

• Own day-to-day category execution for assigned categories, producing work product that is complete and decision-ready with minimal Procurement Manager editing involvement.
• Develop sourcing strategies for assigned categories including competitive approach, supplier selection rationale, evaluation criteria, and award scenario analysis aligned to the capital plan and business requirements.
• Lead supply market research including supplier landscape analysis, lead time and capacity dynamics, pricing trend identification, and supply concentration risk assessment.
• Conduct pre-RFP stakeholder discovery sessions with Engineering and Operations to establish technical requirements, performance priorities, and demand forecasts.
• Identify supply chain risks proactively and develop mitigation options, presenting the Procurement Manager with a clear situation, options, and recommendation.
• Strong analytical capability including weighted scorecard development, total cost of ownership analysis, and supply market assessment.
• Effective cross-functional communication and stakeholder management skills — able to manage working and manager-level relationships and resolve issues without Procurement Manager escalation.

Skills

5-9 years sourcing experience

RFP development

Commercial negotiation

Category management

Stakeholder management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Business, Engineering, Finance

Job description

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 Senior Strategic Sourcing Specialist owns end-to-end category execution for assigned categories within the Strategic Sourcing & Category Management portfolio. Operating with significant independence, this role manages complex sourcing events, supplier qualification programs, and commercial negotiations, while maintaining proactive stakeholder relationships across Engineering, Operations, Project Management, and Business Units.

The Senior Specialist brings category-level commercial judgment, structured analytical capability, and disciplined sourcing execution to categories that may encompass long-lead engineered equipment, commodity-influenced materials, or high-volume construction and maintenance supply. This role contributes to category strategy, executes sourcing events and negotiations with limited day-to-day oversight, manages supplier performance, and actively develops less experienced team members. The Senior Specialist earns the right to independent action by keeping the Procurement Manager appropriately informed — not about everything, but never surprising them with something material.

Essential Functions

• Own day-to-day category execution for assigned categories, producing work product that is complete and decision-ready with minimal Procurement Manager editing involvement.
• Develop sourcing strategies for assigned categories including competitive approach, supplier selection rationale, evaluation criteria, and award scenario analysis aligned to the capital plan and business requirements.
• Lead supply market research including supplier landscape analysis, lead time and capacity dynamics, pricing trend identification, and supply concentration risk assessment.
• Conduct pre-RFP stakeholder discovery sessions with Engineering and Operations to establish technical requirements, performance priorities, and demand forecasts.
• Identify supply chain risks proactively and develop mitigation options, presenting the Procurement Manager with a clear situation, options, and recommendation.
• Strong analytical capability including weighted scorecard development, total cost of ownership analysis, and supply market assessment.
• Effective cross-functional communication and stakeholder management skills — able to manage working and manager-level relationships and resolve issues without Procurement Manager escalation.

Education Description

Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Business, Engineering, Finance, or a related field.

Experience

• 5–9 years of sourcing, procurement, or supply chain experience with demonstrated responsibility for managing complete sourcing events for complex or engineered goods categories.
• Proven ability to develop RFP packages, manage bid evaluation, and produce award recommendations independently.
• Demonstrated commercial negotiation experience including preparation of negotiation briefings and independent execution of supplier negotiations.

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: 07/14/2026

Posting End Date: 07/29/2026

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.