Category Buyer

About us

At National Grid, we keep people connected and society moving. But it’s so much more than that. National Grid provides the environment for our teams to thrive and make a real impact. As we drive momentum in the energy transition for all, we are committed to ensuring that every employee feels empowered and engaged. Join us as a Category Buyer and discover your superpower.
 
National Grid is hiring a Category Buyer. This position can be based at NG House, Warwick.

Job Purpose

As a Category Buyer, you will report directly to a Category Manager and be responsible for the daily strategic procurement operations within aligned business areas. You will assist in the delivery of category strategies, planning, and executing strategic sourcing events through to contract award, while supporting lifecycle management. This role offers the opportunity to engage and build strong working relationships with stakeholders across the business, within procurement, and externally, ensuring we understand supply chains to provide the best solutions for National Grid.

What You'll Do

• Deliver multiple strategic sourcing events within your portfolio, collaborating with stakeholders to understand and challenge demand, ensuring optimal solutions for National Grid.
• Contribute to the sourcing strategy for your allocated category and execute standardised strategic sourcing processes from market engagement through to award, ensuring procurement is conducted in a best-in-class manner that drives value.
• Work closely with Contract Managers to ensure the successful delivery of contracted activities, identifying continuous improvement opportunities and maximising value for money from awarded contracts.
• Support the development and delivery of assigned category strategies while sharing best practices across other category teams.
• Profile category characteristics, research supply markets, and assess trends, opportunities, and risks, providing insights to Global teams and Market and Supplier Development teams.
• Manage tender events for key products and services, delivering value to the business.
• Contribute to effective forward planning by identifying future requirements and ensuring robust forecasting maximises the value of procured goods and services.
• Scope and develop regional contractual agreements that meet customer stakeholder requirements and expectations.

About You

• Proven experience in strategic sourcing and category management.
• Understanding of project management principles, with evidence of managing multiple projects and consistently delivering outstanding results.
• Strong negotiation skills to lead discussions and deliver high-value outcomes.
• Ability to build and manage complex commercial assessment models to ensure value delivery across a balanced scorecard.
• Experience in contract development, including making recommendations and amendments to existing contracts, as well as drafting new ones.

What You'll Get

 
•    Competitive Salary: circa £42,000 – £50,000 per annum (dependent on location, capability, and experience).
 
Additional benefits:
 
•    Flexible benefits such as a cycle scheme, share incentive plan, technology schemes
•    Access to apps such as digital GP service for round the clock access to GP video consultations and NHS repeat prescriptions, wellbeing app to support your health and fitness
•    Access to Work + Family Space, providing support and resources for work and family life, including paid emergency childcare and eldercare
More information

More Information

This role is offered on a full time 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 4th August however we strongly encourage candidates to submit their application as early as possible. 

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Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

National Grid is an equal opportunity employer that values a broad diversity of talent, knowledge, experience and expertise. We foster a culture of inclusion that drives employee engagement to deliver superior performance to the communities we serve. National Grid is proud to be an affirmative action employer. We encourage minorities, women, individuals with disabilities and protected veterans to join the National Grid team.