Eric Barton
About Eric Barton
Eric Barton is the Strategic Sourcing/Procurement Manager of Gas Operations at CenterPoint Energy, where he oversees labor and material contracts across six states. With a background in sourcing and strategy, he has held various roles in the energy sector, including positions at Chesapeake Energy and EP ENERGY.
Work at CenterPoint Energy
Eric Barton currently holds the position of Strategic Sourcing/Procurement Manager of Gas Operations at CenterPoint Energy. He has been in this role since 2021 and is based in Houston, Texas. In this capacity, he manages strategic sourcing and the procurement of labor and material contracts for Gas Operations and Home Service Plus across six states. He leads a team of six sourcing specialists and oversees a significant spend of $1.5 billion. Additionally, he serves as a staging site manager for the Emergency Operations Plan team, ensuring that infrastructure needs are met during emergencies.
Previous Experience in Energy Sector
Before joining CenterPoint Energy, Eric Barton worked at EP ENERGY as a Category Manager from 2011 to 2019. His role involved managing supplier relationships and optimizing procurement strategies. Prior to that, he served as a Senior Sourcing & Strategy Specialist at Chesapeake Energy for one year in 2020. His earlier experience includes a five-year tenure at C.H. Robinson Worldwide, Inc. as Strategic Sales / Assistant Manager of Business Development from 2006 to 2011. This diverse background in the energy sector has equipped him with extensive knowledge in sourcing and procurement.
Education and Expertise
Eric Barton earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism and Marketing from Sam Houston State University, where he studied from 2001 to 2005. His educational background has provided him with a solid foundation in communication and marketing strategies, which he applies in his current role in strategic sourcing and procurement. His expertise encompasses managing large-scale contracts and participating in cross-functional leadership teams to analyze project work and provide recommendations to senior leadership.