Manager, Portfolio ET&S

Job description

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. Position Summary The Manager, Portfolio ET&S is responsible for leading the strategic sourcing, commercial negotiation, contract planning, development and execution, and ongoing oversight of EPC (Engineering, Procurement, and Construction) contractor performance across a portfolio of large-scale capital projects. This role serves as the commercial lead for prime contracts and critical supplier relationships, ensuring management of company spend with all suppliers and contractors across the portfolio to reduce execution risk. This position combines portfolio category strategy , project-based procurement execution , and EPC commercial leadership to maintain relationships with key partners, ensure access to critical resources, and enable long-term value creation. The role partners with Supply Chain leadership and other portfolio Directors/managers, Capital Delivery leadership, Project Managers, Project Controls, Legal, Finance, and Owner’s Engineer to advance core EPC capabilities and ensure successful portfolio execution. Serves as a trusted advisor to leadership on market conditions, supplier capacity, and commercial risk. Key Responsibilities Project & Portfolio Delivery Support Own procurement strategy: develop and manage execution of project Procurement Plans across a portfolio of large-scale capital projects. Engage with key suppliers and contractors to track critical capacity Develop and maintain dashboard of market conditions, lead times and delivery risks for priority equipment and services Identify and own mitigation and action plans for Supply Chain risks, and provide immediate support to individual projects with supply ‘pain points’ Proactively engage suppliers and portfolio contractors to communicate forecast of company needs and validate sufficient resources and priority The primary responsibility of this role active oversight of EPC’s execution of project procurement, subcontracting and materials management services, within the framework of the chosen EPC contracting model in the portfolio. Role will closely coordinate oversight with Owner’s Engineer. Collaborate with Project Management, Engineering, and Construction teams to align procurement with project schedules and milestones; including validation of project procurement schedules to ensure they are realistic and achievable. Ensure timely acquisition of long-lead materials and critical path equipment; identify and direct in-house procurement for special projects when necessary. EPC Contracting & Commercial Leadership Serve as the commercial lead for EPC prime contracts, including negotiation, execution, and ongoing contract management. Support development of contracting frameworks, Work Breakdown Structures (WBS), and commercial model – i.e. ‘Should Cost Model’ for each class of project ; NTE Target Price, progressive EPC, open-book Estimate. Negotiate market-competitive outcomes for MSAs and project specific contracts Develop Contract performance targets and steward incentive / gainshare models with EPC partner and Transmission Portfolio Office Collaborate with Project Manager, Contracts Manager and Legal for key contract negotiations, change or claims management and dispute resolution. Strong commercial support to Controls for review and negotiation of changes, baselines and EPC cost validation. Partner with Legal to structure and finalize complex commercial agreements and mitigate contractual risk. Provide commercial governance and oversight of EPC procurement, subcontracting, and materials management activities. Long Lead and Critical Procurement Oversee EPC bidding process; provide strong market knowledge and ‘should cost’ benchmarks to validate RFPs, negotiations, and subcontracting efforts. Own long lead planning and management – ensure timely action to secure critical path equipment & materials. Role will closely coordinate with Category Management to validate overall capacity and leverage OEM relationships. Lead company efforts for any owner furnished equipment or materials Develop sourcing strategy, bid/negotiation plans and award recommendations. Functional Accountabilities Contracting Lifecycle Management - Directs company and EPC Subcontact staff for formation and execution of Contracting, Subcontracting and Materials Plans Maintain full ownership of the contracting lifecycle, including: Bid development and RFP processes Supplier evaluation and award recommendations Contract negotiation and execution Performance monitoring and compliance Claims and dispute resolution Ensure adherence to legal, regulatory, and company policy requirements. Strategic Sourcing & Category Leadership Develop and execute portfolio sourcing strategies for capital projects, including EPC, long-lead materials, and critical equipment. Identify and implement contracting strategies that ensure availability of resources at competitive cost, quality, and performance levels. Establish and manage portfolio Master Service Agreements (MSAs) and strategic supplier alliances aligned with long-term project needs. Drive continuous improvement and cost optimization initiatives across capital procurement categories. Supplier Performance & Risk Management Lead supplier relationship management, including performance reviews, QBRs, and executive-level engagements. Establish KPIs, SLAs, and vendor performance metrics to ensure delivery excellence. Proactively identify and mitigate supply chain risks, including capacity constraints, pricing volatility, and contractor performance issues. Drive accountability for supplier performance, including corrective actions and escalation management. Financial & Analytical Accountability ~ Est + $500M Portfolio of capital Oversee cost validation, pricing strategies, and commercial benchmarking. Review and approve high-value purchase orders, contracts, and change orders in accordance with governance policies. Develop and present market information to support complex, high-value project procurement decisions. Maintain visibility to market trends, cost drivers, and financial impacts to the portfolio. Cross-Functional Leadership & Stakeholder Engagement Partner with executive leadership and cross-functional stakeholders to align on sourcing strategies and project priorities. Act as a liaison between Supply Chain, Project Teams, and Corporate functions. Influence decision-making across all organizational levels through strong communication and commercial expertise. Lead training, coaching, and capability development for project supply chain teams. Support continuous improvement initiatives across capital project execution. Safety & Operational Excellence Promote a strong safety culture across all procurement and supplier activities. Ensure suppliers adhere to contract safety standards and proactively address risks. Basic Qualifications Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Business, Engineering, Finance, or related field (or equivalent experience). 10+ years of experience in capital projects, supply chain, and EPC contracting. Minimum 8–10 years of experience leading commercial and project execution of EPC and construction contractors. Hands-on oversight of procurement conducted by EPC on company behalf Demonstrated experience managing complex, high-value contracts (+$100M. Strong negotiation, contract management, and supplier governance experience. Proven ability to influence senior leadership and drive cross-functional alignment. Preferred Qualifications Experience within energy, utilities, infrastructure, or large industrial environments. Deep knowledge of EPC models used in electrical industry projects: Cost+, hybrid, Target Price/NTE with progressive EPC, open-book Estimate & Procurement. Experience managing portfolios within a PMO or centralized project organization. Experience with validation of Open Book Estimates and Procurement cost Audit Experience with SAP, Coupa or similar procurement systems. Professional certifications such as CPSM, PMP, or Lean Six Sigma. Advanced analytical, financial modeling, and commercial evaluation skills. 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: 08/28/2026​ Posting End Date: 09/11/2026 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. #LI-CNP