Specialist, Third Party Inspections

CenterPoint Energy • Houston, TX

1d

About The Position

The posting describes an entry-level Strategic Sourcing Specialist role on the Strategic Sourcing & Category Management team. The role builds foundational competency across the 7-Step Strategic Sourcing Process under close oversight from Senior and Lead Specialists and the Procurement Manager. It supports active sourcing events, maintains supplier and contract records, conducts market research, and develops analytical and commercial skills for progression to independent category execution.

The role works within defined assignments, escalates decisions appropriately, and develops professional and technical proficiency through structured participation in procurement work. The posting states that conduct, confidentiality, and personal accountability standards apply from the first day. Responsibilities include supporting sourcing events and preparing RFQ/RFP packages, bid evaluations, and award recommendations for review.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Business, Engineering, Finance, or a related field.
• Demonstrated ability to support or execute RFQ/RFP events, including document development, bid evaluation, and award recommendations.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, including Excel, PowerPoint, and Word, and SAP or an equivalent ERP.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple concurrent tasks and commitments without supervision of each.
• Clear written and verbal communication with professional presentation quality.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in engineered equipment, capital equipment, or technical materials categories.
• Utility, industrial, or construction procurement environment experience.
• Familiarity with contract structures including MSA, SOW, PO, and blanket agreement frameworks.
• Exposure to supplier qualification, prequalification, or performance management programs.
• Experience with commodity-influenced categories and index-linked pricing concepts.
• Familiarity with AI-assisted productivity tools and willingness to develop proficiency in applying them to sourcing and supply chain analysis tasks.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute RFQ/RFP packages for assigned categories or sub-categories under Procurement Manager or Senior Specialist oversight, including scopes of work, commercial requirements, evaluation criteria, and bid tabulations.
• Manage supplier questions and clarifications for assigned sourcing events while maintaining competitive integrity and information parity among participating suppliers.
• Evaluate bids using weighted scoring and basic total-cost-of-ownership comparisons, and prepare evaluation summaries for review.
• Draft complete, documented, and internally consistent award recommendation documentation for review.
• Support active sourcing events, maintain supplier and contract records, and conduct market research.
• Escalate decisions appropriately and develop procurement, analytical, and commercial skills through structured participation in sourcing work.

Benefits

• Competitive pay
• Paid training
• Benefits eligibility begins on the first day
• Transit subsidies
• Flexible work schedule
• Paid holidays
• Paid time off
• Access to fitness club discounts
• Access to an on-site wellness center at the Houston headquarters
• Professional growth and development programs
• Tuition reimbursement
• 401(k) Savings Plan with a dollar-for-dollar company match up to 6% and a 3% company contribution regardless of employee contribution

What This Job Offers

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