Specialist, Third Party Inspections
About this role
CenterPoint Energy and its predecessor companies have been in business for more than 150 years.
Our Vision: 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.
Our Commitment: 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.
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.
Job Summary
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.
Essential Functions
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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.
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Manage the supplier Q&A and clarification process for assigned sourcing events, maintaining competitive integrity and information parity across participating suppliers.
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Conduct bid evaluation including weighted scoring and basic total cost of ownership comparison, producing evaluation summaries for review.
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Draft award recommendation documentation that is complete, documented, and internally consistent — requiring review but not reconstruction by the Procurement Manager.
Essential Functions Continued
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Familiarity with contract structures including MSA, SOW, PO, and blanket agreement frameworks.
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Exposure to supplier qualification, prequalification, or performance management programs.
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Experience with commodity-influenced categories and index-linked pricing concepts.
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Familiarity with AI-assisted productivity tools and willingness to develop proficiency in their application to sourcing and supply chain analysis tasks.
Education Description
Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Business, Engineering, Finance, or a related field.
Experience
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Demonstrated ability to support or execute RFQ/RFP events including document development, bid evaluation, and award recommendation.
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Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, PowerPoint, Word) and SAP or equivalent ERP.
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Strong organizational skills — ability to manage multiple concurrent tasks and commitments without supervision of each.
Experience Continued
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Clear written and verbal communication with professional presentation quality.
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Experience in engineered equipment, capital equipment, or technical materials categories.
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Utility, industrial, or construction procurement environment experience.
We want you to know
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.
What we bring to you
- 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
Job Type: Full Time
Posting Start Date: 07/20/2026
Posting End Date: 08/03/2026
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.
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Company at a glance
CenterPoint Energy, Inc. (NYSE: CNP) is a multi-state electric and natural gas delivery company serving approximately 7 million metered customers across Indiana, Minnesota, Ohio, and Texas. The company is headquartered in Houston and is the only Texas-domiciled investor-owned utility. As of December 31, 2024, the company had approximately $44 billion in assets. With approximately 8,300 employees, CenterPoint Energy and its predecessor companies have been serving customers for more than 150 years. For more information, visit CenterPointEnergy.com.
Workforce Diversity
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. 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.
We foster
- a culture that considers different backgrounds and viewpoints as competitive advantages,
- an environment with opportunities for professional development; and
- respect for each other, our customers and business partners
For more information, visit https://careers.centerpointenergy.com/
Community Guidelines
CenterPoint Energy is committed to our core values of safety, integrity, accountability, initiative, and respect for our customers, investors, employees and communities. With that in mind, we invite and encourage respectful, courteous and thoughtful comments and discussions on our social media pages that are on-topic and relevant.
Comments that harass, threaten, offend, defame, mislead or contain false information will be hidden or removed at our discretion. Individuals who violate these guidelines will be blocked from posting to our Linkedin page.
Top Benefits
- Competitive Pay
- Paid Training
- Health Insurance
- Transit Subsidies
- Flexible Work Schedule
- Paid Holidays
- Paid Time Off
- Fitness Club Discounts
- On-site Wellness Center
- Professional Growth And Development Programs
- Tuition Reimbursement
- 401(k) Savings Plan
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