Job Description

Job Description
CenterPoint Energy and its predecessor companies have been in business for more than 150 years. Our vision to lead the nation in delivering energy, service and value drives our strategy and performance. We have an unwavering commitment to safely and reliably deliver electricity and natural gas to millions of people.
Diversity and Inclusion
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.
 
Learn more in the “About Us” section of our careers web site.
  
As the Manager, Natural Gas & Electric Utility Procurement, you will be responsible for the management of the end-to-end strategic category management activities for Natural Gas or Electric Utility categories. The ideal candidate will bring thought leadership, set the direction, and ensure delivery performance of Strategic Sourcing objectives (aligned with business priorities). This role will also be called upon to contribute to the broader procurement transformation.  Additional responsibilities include category management process, utilize market intelligence function, financial analysis, sourcing strategy and stakeholder management. For the Electric Utility, this position is responsible for managing procurement categories including, but not limited to Construction services, Vegetation Management, Engineering and requires engaging stakeholders, assisting with the management of strategic sourcing, category management adoption, contract negotiations and developing cost reduction strategies.  For the Natural Gas, this position is responsible for Construction, Line Locating and Inspection, Engineering, Generation and Renewables and requires engaging stakeholders, assisting with the management of strategic sourcing, category management adoption, contract negotiations and developing cost reduction strategies.
 
Specificially, you will be responsible for:

Leading a team of Procurement professionals to align & execute enterprise sourcing strategies for assigned commodities and spend categories.
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.
Utilize Market Intelligence function 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.
Ensures all applicable contracts have appropriate cyber 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.

Qualifications

Basic Qualifications:  

Bachelor's degree required
5+ years of sourcing/category management, contract negotiation/management, vendor management experience required.
Experience leading a team of direct reports

Preferred Experience, Education and Skills:

 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 SAP Procurement Tools for sourcing, spend and contracts management.
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.