Senior Category Buyer

National Grid; Warwick; Hybrid; GBP 46,000 - 59,000

Job description

Job Function: Procurement and Contract Management

National Grid is leading the charge towards a Net Zero future in the UK and NE of USA. We recognize that decarbonizing our electric and gas systems will require resolving many questions and seeking new partnerships, technologies, and transformative investments. Over the next 5 years, we will be investing over £60bn across our UK and US businesses – nearly double the investment over the past 5 years. This is an exciting time for our industry that is creating significant opportunities for National Grid; this is not just a moment in time; it's a game-changing era that will shape National Grid's success for decades to come.

Given this backdrop, our supply chains are facing an unprecedented set of challenges and are at the forefront of our plans, placing National Grid Procurement at the centre of our Net Zero goals. We have set out an ambitious transformation plan, focused on becoming a client of choice for our supply partners whilst ensuring outstanding outcomes for our Business Units (BUs). Our strategy revolves around significant changes in three core areas:

• Partnering: We are forging closer ties with our supply chain, aligning ourselves more closely with each NG Group Business Unit (BU).
• Scale: We are leveraging the immense scale of our group to unlock even greater potential. By harnessing our collective strength, we can achieve remarkable things.
• Operational Transformation: We are revolutionizing the way we work as a team. Embracing new approaches and technologies, we are streamlining processes and making the day-to-day job simpler and more efficient.

Reporting into the Category Manager (Converters and Offshore Platforms), the Senior Buyer is responsible for strategic procurement operations within the aligned business area(s) and responsible for the specific management of Frameworks and associated supply chain.

The role will partner the Category Manager in delivery of Category strategies. This will involve engaging and building strong working relationships with stakeholders across the business, within procurement, and externally, to identify business needs and then ensuring we understand the supply chains so we can offer the best solutions for National Grid.

What You'll Do

• Deliver multiple strategic sourcing events within portfolio, working with stakeholders to understand and challenge demand and ensure the best possible solutions for National Grid.
• Input into the development and execution of sourcing strategy for allocated category and execute standardised strategic sourcing processes from market engagement through to award, ensuring goods / services are procured in a best-in-class manner that drives value.
• Work with Contract Managers or Procurement Programme Managers to ensure the successful delivery of contracted activities, identifying continuous improvement opportunities through engagement with suppliers and stakeholders, and maximizing value for money from contracts awarded.
• Support the overall development and delivery of assigned category strategy and share best practice across other category teams.
• Role model excellence in procurement standards, taking a proactive role in mentoring / providing guidance to Buyers and Associate Buyers to ensure best-in-class methodologies are adopted and utilized across National Grid Procurement.
• Profile category characteristics and research supply markets, suppliers and assess trends, opportunities and risks feeding insights into the Global teams and Market and Supplier Development teams.
• Delivering value by effectively managing tender events for key products required by the business.
• Contribute to an effective forward planning process by identifying future requirements of supported areas and ensure robust forecasting is put in place that maximises value of goods / services procured.
• Scope and develops regional contractual agreements that meet the customer stakeholder requirements and expectations.
• Reporting to the Category Manager and manage of a framework and the associated supply chain.

What You'll Bring

• Significant experience of strategic sourcing and category management.
• Strong knowledge in HVDC projects.
• Create joint technical development roadmaps and innovative supply chain solutions.
• Strong influencer, able to manage the cross functional team, affecting change to business design standards and constructing coherent arguments around specification rationalisation.
• Previous proven experience in RFI’s/RFP’s/RFQ’s processes.
• An understanding of project management principles and ideally evidence of managing multiple projects and consistently delivering outstanding results.
• Ability to prepare for and to lead negotiations.
• Ability to build and manage complex commercial assessment models.
• Experience of contract development, including the ability to make recommendations and amendments to existing contracts as well as drafting new ones.
• Experience in developing and maintaining strong relationships with suppliers to ensure optimal performance and alignment with company goals.
• Conduct market analysis to identify trends and opportunities for improvement and innovation in the supply chain processes.
• Identify potential risks within the supply chain and implement effective strategies to mitigate them.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to work effectively in a collaborative environment.
• Strong understanding and previous experience in managing Framework Contracts.

What You'll Get

A competitive salary between 46,145 - 58,760 - dependent on capability.
As well as your base salary, you will receive a bonus based on personal and company performance and a competitive contributory pension scheme where we will double match your contribution to a maximum company contribution of 12%. You will also have access to a number of flexible benefits such as a share incentive plan, salary sacrifice car and technology schemes, support via employee assistance lines and matched charity giving to name a few.

More Information

This role is offered on a Full-Time, Permanent basis.
We are also offering hybrid /flexible working where travel to the office will be as per business need. Base location for this role will be NG House, Warwick.

This role closes on Tuesday 15th April 2025 however we strongly encourage candidates to submit their application as early as possible.

About us

Here at National Grid, we connect homes and businesses to power, making sure supply and demand match each other. We make sure the lights are on in schools, operating theatres, and sporting arenas; we’re thousands of people working on behalf of millions of people. And whatever your role, wherever you work with us, you’ll help us hit stretching targets and achieve our far-reaching goal: to secure, clean energy that supports our world far into the future. Here, you will be at the heart of energy.

At National Grid, we work towards the highest standards in everything we do, including how we support, value, and develop our people. Our aim is to encourage and support employees to thrive and be the best they can be. We celebrate the difference people can bring into our organisation, and welcome and encourage applicants with diverse experiences and backgrounds, and offer flexible and tailored support, at home and in the office.

Our function covers a diverse range of categories from Indirect, IT & Digital, Network Operations (Maintenance & Repair), Gas equipment and Services to large scale Construction and Network Equipment, with a clear mission: to enable a clean, fair, and affordable energy future through commercial, responsible and innovative supply chain leadership.