Specialist, Third Party Inspections

CenterPoint Energy • Houston, TX

2d

About The Position

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. 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.

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 recommendation.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, PowerPoint, Word) and SAP or equivalent ERP.
• Strong organizational skills — ability to manage multiple concurrent tasks and commitments without supervision of each.
• Clear written and verbal communication with professional presentation quality.
• Experience in engineered equipment, capital equipment, or technical materials categories.
• Utility, industrial, or construction procurement environment experience.

Responsibilities

• 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.
• Manage the supplier Q&A and clarification process for assigned sourcing events, maintaining competitive integrity and information parity across participating suppliers.
• Conduct bid evaluation including weighted scoring and basic total cost of ownership comparison, producing evaluation summaries for review.
• Draft award recommendation documentation that is complete, documented, and internally consistent — requiring review but not reconstruction by the Procurement Manager.
• 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 their application to sourcing and supply chain analysis tasks.

Benefits

• Competitive pay
• Paid training
• Benefits eligibility begins on your first day
• Transit subsidies
• Flexible work schedule
• paid holidays
• paid time off
• Access to discounts at fitness clubs
• on-site wellness center at our headquarters in Houston
• Professional growth and development programs
• 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: Entry Level