About this role
<p><span style="font-size:16.0px"><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><strong>CenterPoint Energy and its predecessor companies have been in business for more than 150 years. </strong></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:16.0px"><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><strong>Our Vision:</strong> 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. </span></span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:16.0px"><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><strong>Our Commitment: </strong>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.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:16.0px"><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">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.</span></span> </p> <p> </p><div><div style="padding:10.0px 0.0px;border:1.0px solid transparent"><div style="font-size:16.0px;word-wrap:break-word"><H2 style="font-size:1.0em;margin:0.0px"><b>Job Summary</b></H2> </div><div><div> <p><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif"><span>The Strategic Sourcing Specialist is an entry-level member of the Strategic Sourcing & Category Management team, building foundational competency across the 7-Step Strategic Sourcing Process under close oversight of Senior and Lead Specialists and the Procurement Manager. This role supports active sourcing events, maintains supplier and contract records, conducts market research, and develops the analytical and commercial skills required for progression to independent category execution.</span><span> </span></span></p> </div> <div> <p><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif"><span>The Associate operates within defined work assignments, escalates decisions appropriately, and focuses on developing professional and technical proficiency through structured involvement in real procurement work. Cultural and professional standards apply in full from Day 1 — no different expectations are extended to this level on conduct, confidentiality, or personal accountability.</span><span> </span></span></p> </div></div></div><div style="padding:10.0px 0.0px;border:1.0px solid transparent"><div style="font-size:16.0px;word-wrap:break-word"><H2 style="font-size:1.0em;margin:0.0px"><b>Essential Functions</b></H2> </div><div><div> <ul style="list-style-type:disc"> <li> <p><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif"><span>Develop and execute RFQ/RFP packages for assigned categories or sub-categories with Procurement Manager or Senior Specialist oversight, including scope of work, commercial requirements, evaluation criteria, and bid tabulation.</span><span> </span></span></p> </li> </ul> </div> <div> <ul style="list-style-type:disc"> <li style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif"> <p><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif"><span>Manage the supplier Q&A and clarification process for assigned sourcing events, maintaining competitive integrity and information parity across participating suppliers.</span><span> </span></span></p> </li> </ul> </div> <div> <ul style="list-style-type:disc"> <li style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif"> <p><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif"><span>Conduct bid evaluation including weighted scoring and basic total cost of ownership comparison, producing evaluation summaries for review.</span><span> </span></span></p> </li> </ul> </div> <div> <ul style="list-style-type:disc"> <li style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif"> <p><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif"><span>Draft award recommendation documentation that is complete, documented, and internally consistent — requiring review but not reconstruction by the Procurement Manager.</span></span></p> </li> </ul> </div></div></div><div style="padding:10.0px 0.0px;border:1.0px solid transparent"><div style="font-size:16.0px;word-wrap:break-word"><H2 style="font-size:1.0em;margin:0.0px"><b>Essential Functions Continued</b></H2> </div><div><ul style="list-style-type:disc"> <li style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif"> <p><span>Familiarity with contract structures including MSA, SOW, PO, and blanket agreement frameworks.</span></p> </li> <li style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif"> <p><span>Exposure to supplier qualification, prequalification, or performance management programs.</span></p> </li> <li style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif"> <p><span>Experience with commodity-influenced categories and index-linked pricing concepts.</span></p> </li> <li style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif"> <p><span>Familiarity with AI-assisted productivity tools and willingness to develop proficiency in their application to sourcing and supply chain analysis tasks.</span><span> </span></p> </li> </ul></div></div><div style="padding:10.0px 0.0px;border:1.0px solid transparent"><div style="font-size:16.0px;word-wrap:break-word"><H2 style="font-size:1.0em;margin:0.0px"><b>Education Description</b></H2> </div><div><p><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif"><span>Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Business, Engineering, Finance, or a related field.</span><span> </span> </span></p></div></div><div style="padding:10.0px 0.0px;border:1.0px solid transparent"><div style="font-size:16.0px;word-wrap:break-word"><H2 style="font-size:1.0em;margin:0.0px"><b>Experience</b></H2> </div><div><div> <ul style="list-style-type:disc"> <li> <p><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif"><span>Demonstrated ability to support or execute RFQ/RFP events including document development, bid evaluation, and award recommendation.</span><span> </span></span></p> </li> </ul> </div> <div> <ul style="list-style-type:disc"> <li style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif"> <p><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif"><span>Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, PowerPoint, Word) and SAP or equivalent ERP.</span><span> </span></span></p> </li> </ul> </div> <div> <ul style="list-style-type:disc"> <li style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif"> <p><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif"><span>Strong organizational skills — ability to manage multiple concurrent tasks and commitments without supervision of each.</span><span> </span></span></p> </li> </ul> </div></div></div><div style="padding:10.0px 0.0px;border:1.0px solid transparent"><div style="font-size:16.0px;word-wrap:break-word"><H2 style="font-size:1.0em;margin:0.0px"><b>Experience Continued</b></H2> </div><div><div> <ul style="list-style-type:disc"> <li style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif"> <p><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif"><span>Clear written and verbal communication with professional presentation quality.</span><span> </span></span></p> </li> </ul> </div> <div> <ul style="list-style-type:disc"> <li style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif"> <p><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif"><span>Experience in engineered equipment, capital equipment, or technical materials categories.</span><span> </span></span></p> </li> </ul> </div> <div> <ul style="list-style-type:disc"> <li style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif"> <p><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif"><span>Utility, industrial, or construction procurement environment experience.</span></span></p> </li> </ul> </div></div></div></div><p style="margin-bottom:12.0px;text-align:start"> </p> <p style="margin-bottom:12.0px;text-align:start"><span style="font-size:16.0px"><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><span style="color:#000000"><span style="font-style:normal"><span style="white-space:normal"><span style="background-color:#ffffff"><strong style="font-weight:bold">We want you to know</strong></span></span></span></span><br><span style="color:#000000"><span style="font-style:normal"><span style="white-space:normal"><span style="background-color:#ffffff">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. </span></span></span></span></span></span><br> </p> <p style="margin-bottom:12.0px;text-align:start"><span style="font-size:16.0px"><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><strong>What we bring to you</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li><span style="font-size:16.0px"><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Competitive pay</span></span></li> <li><span style="font-size:16.0px"><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Paid training</span></span></li> <li><span style="font-size:16.0px"><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Benefits eligibility begins on your first day</span></span></li> <li><span style="font-size:16.0px"><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Transit subsidies</span></span></li> <li><span style="font-size:16.0px"><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Flexible work schedule, paid holidays and paid time off</span></span></li> <li><span style="font-size:16.0px"><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Access to discounts at fitness clubs and an on-site wellness center at our headquarters in Houston</span></span></li> <li><span style="font-size:16.0px"><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Professional growth and development programs including tuition reimbursement</span></span></li> <li><span style="font-size:16.0px"><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">401(k) Savings Plan featuring a company match dollar-for-dollar up to 6% and a company contribution of 3% regardless of your contribution</span></span></li> </ul> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:16.0px"><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><strong>Job Type:</strong> Full Time <br><strong>Posting Start Date:</strong> 07/20/2026<br><strong>Posting End Date:</strong> 08/03/2026</span></span></p> <p><br><span style="font-size:16.0px"><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">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.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:8.0px"><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">#LI-CNP</span></span></p>