Business Manager

NAES•Houston, TX

27d•$102,000 - $115,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Business Manager oversees financial reporting, budgeting, accounting, procurement, contract administration, and materials management at Tejas Energy Center, a 247 MW gas-fired generating facility in Houston, Texas. The role manages accounts payable, operating and capital budgets, monthly forecasting, financial close support, cost analysis, inventory control, payroll administration, and site document control. In coordination with the Plant Manager, NAES Corporate departments, and the Owner, the Business Manager supports accurate financial reporting, cost controls, and timely documentation for efficient and financially responsible plant operations. The position also administers purchasing and vendor records, monitors contracts and purchase orders, manages materials and spare-parts inventory, and supports site payroll, timekeeping, labor cost reporting, and other administrative work assigned by the Plant Manager. The Business Manager reports to the Plant Manager and works closely with plant personnel and NAES Corporate Accounting, Finance, Human Resources, and Administrative teams. Work is primarily in an office environment, with occasional plant-site duties that may involve extended standing, stairs and ladders, protective equipment, and outdoor work in hot or cold weather. The role follows a standard Monday-to-Friday day-shift schedule, but may require extended hours, flexible shifts, weekends, holidays, and callout availability. Some travel may be involved for offsite meetings. Employees participate in a Fitness for Duty Program, including pre-employment drug screening and an audiogram, as well as random post-employment drug screening.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field; alternatively, an associate degree with at least five years of directly applicable experience, or seven years of directly applicable experience in lieu of a degree.
Five or more years of progressive experience in accounts payable, cost accounting, budgeting, financial analysis, or related business functions, including direct responsibility for a budget or forecasting cycle.
Demonstrated experience with invoice processing, purchase order reconciliation, accruals, financial close activities, cost tracking, and resolving outstanding invoices and purchase commitments.
Proficiency with ERP, accounting, or computerized maintenance management systems used for purchasing, accounts payable, inventory, and cost reporting.
Advanced Microsoft Excel skills, including financial modeling, lookup functions, pivot tables, data validation, and developing reliable workbooks using system-generated data.
Ability to analyze financial results, prepare written variance explanations, and develop accurate, well-supported financial reports for management, Owners, and auditors.
Strong analytical, organizational, and time-management skills, including the ability to manage competing priorities, maintain accurate records, protect confidential information, and independently meet recurring reporting deadlines.
Effective written and verbal communication skills and the ability to collaborate with plant personnel, vendors, the Owner, and NAES Corporate departments.
Valid, unrestricted U.S. driver’s license that remains in good standing.
Ability to meet the described site work conditions, including occasional standing for extended periods, climbing stairs and ladders, wearing protective equipment, and working outdoors in varying temperatures.
Ability to meet the position’s scheduling needs, including extended hours, flexible shifts, weekends, holidays, and callout availability as needed.
Participation in the Fitness for Duty Program, including required drug screening and audiogram.

Nice To Haves

Experience in power generation, oil and gas, petrochemical, or other heavy industrial environments, including maintenance or outage cost accounting.
Familiarity with third-party operations and maintenance agreements, Owner-reimbursable cost reporting, vendor bid evaluations, and contractor prequalification.
Knowledge of storeroom operations, inventory valuation, cycle counting, critical spare parts, and materials planning for maintenance outages.

Responsibilities

Manage vendor invoices from receipt through coding, verification, approval, and payment; allocate costs accurately, process invoices on time, and resolve discrepancies.
Track purchase orders, outstanding commitments, accrued expenses, and invoice exceptions; maintain financial records and controls for cost accounting, period-end reporting, and audits.
Complete monthly accruals, reconciliations, and supporting schedules with NAES Corporate Accounting, meeting close deadlines and Owner requirements.
Coordinate annual operating and capital budget preparation with the Plant Manager and plant personnel, accounting for anticipated operating, maintenance, outage, and capital project costs.
Develop monthly forecasts and reforecasts using actual expenditures, committed costs, anticipated liabilities, and changes to maintenance and project schedules.
Analyze budget-versus-actual results, explain significant variances, identify cost trends, and recommend corrective actions where appropriate.
Deliver financial reports to the Owner, NAES Corporate, and regional leadership, including year-end forecasts, capital project status, significant variances, and financial risks.
Administer purchasing from requisition and purchase order creation through quotation review, bid comparisons, receipt confirmation, change orders, and purchase order closeout.
Oversee vendor records and required documentation, including tax forms, insurance certificates, and applicable safety prequalification records.
Review service agreements, contract rates, renewal dates, escalation provisions, and remaining contract values; reconcile purchasing card transactions, expense reports, travel expenses, and per diem claims in accordance with company policies.
Control materials and spare-parts inventory records, including critical spares, stocking levels, reorder points, item information, and storage locations in the applicable inventory or maintenance management system.
Coordinate material receiving, inspection, storage, issuance, and replenishment, maintaining documentation and cost allocation and ensuring material availability for maintenance and outage activities.
Perform inventory counts, investigate discrepancies, reconcile inventory balances, and recommend disposition of obsolete, excess, or expired materials.
Maintain site document control, financial and contractual records, and required administrative documentation.
Support payroll, timekeeping, labor cost reporting, and other duties assigned by the Plant Manager.
Help ensure work is performed in a healthy and safe manner, consistent with NAES safety expectations.
Participate in required Fitness for Duty screening, including pre-employment drug screening and audiogram and post-employment random drug screening.