Director, Materials

CenterPoint Energy • Houston, TX

2d

About The Position

Provides strategic leadership, direction, and oversight for enterprise-wide procurement activities supporting utility operations, including electric, gas, and corporate functions. Accountable for developing and executing sourcing strategies, optimizing total cost of ownership, mitigating risk, and ensuring alignment with regulatory, operational, and financial objectives. Leads a team of procurement leaders and professionals responsible for strategic sourcing, supplier relationship management, and category management. Drives continuous improvement across procurement processes, systems, and governance to support operational reliability and long-term business performance. Establishes the long-term vision, strategy, and governance framework for utility procurement across materials category areas (e.g., Utility Structure, Enterprise Materials and Engineered Equipment). Aligns procurement strategies with enterprise goals, capital programs, and regulatory requirements specific to utility operations. Partners with executive leadership, including Operations, Engineering, Finance, and Legal, to ensure sourcing decisions support business priorities and risk tolerance. Ensures adherence to all regulatory requirements and audit standards applicable to utility procurement activities. Provides executive oversight of complex sourcing events, including cost modeling, RFPs, contract negotiations, and supplier selection for high-value or critical categories. Drives standardization and specification alignment across engineering and operations and leads response to market constraints (capacity shortages, tariffs, commodity spikes).

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Business, Engineering, or related field required.
• 10+ years of progressive procurement or supply chain experience, including leadership in a utility or highly regulated industry.
• Demonstrated experience leading strategic sourcing, supplier management, and contract negotiations at an enterprise level.
• Strong knowledge of utility operations, capital project sourcing, and regulatory compliance considerations.
• Proven ability to lead large teams, influence senior leadership, and drive measurable business outcomes.
• Experience with ERP systems (e.g., SAP) and advanced procurement analytics.

Nice To Haves

• MBA or advanced degree preferred.
• Relevant certifications (e.g., CPSM, C.P.M., CSCP) preferred.

Responsibilities

• Owns strategic supplier relationships (OEMs, distributors, fabricators) and drives supplier performance, innovation and partnership for new materials and modernization technologies
• Manages procurement-related budgeting, forecasting, and performance tracking using appropriate metrics and dashboards.
• Monitors and mitigates commodity exposure (steel, copper, etc.) and supports rate case justification with procurement data and cost transparency
• Leads, develops, and mentors procurement leaders and teams, fostering a high-performance, collaborative culture.
• Provides executive oversight and governance of procurement systems (e.g., ERP, sourcing platforms, supplier management tools).

Benefits

• 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

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director