Category Lead

About us

At National Grid we are committed to delivering safe and reliable energy to the customers and communities we serve. We are one of the largest investor-owned energy companies in the world. We are proud of the contributions our work and our people make to the prosperity and wellbeing of our customers, communities, and investors.

National Grid has a focus on providing electricity and gas to millions of its existing customers, by continuously updating its infrastructure to provide the most safe and reliable system.

About the Role

As a key member of the IT software procurement group, they deliver innovative thinking supported by detailed analytics, data science, market research, and subject matter expertise, to help our category teams and stakeholders make effective sourcing decisions. They develop and own key supplier and stakeholder relationships and are able to evaluate supplier risks and develop mitigation plans. 
 

What You'll Do

The following competencies are core to the Category Lead role:

Category Management: 
•    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 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 (as appropriate).
▪ 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 (as appropriate).
▪ 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 maximizes value of goods / services procured.
▪ Scope and develops regional contractual agreements that meet the customer stakeholder requirements and
Expectations. 

Analytics

• Utilize varied and complex data sets to identify gaps and new opportunities to drive benefits through the contracts End to End lifecycle, while implementing analytics as part of the Category Plan
• Market Research - Conduct industry analysis and evaluate supplier performance, incorporating the research into the Category Strategy and associated contract initiatives/bidding events
   

Procurement/Strategic Sourcing Process (SSP)
•    Source Events (RFx, Sole Source, direct negotiate) – Lead the execution of  critical (high spend/high profile) sourcing initiatives, providing guidance and mentorship to team members, while using tailored procurement strategies to optimize value, mitigate risk, and support business objectives
•    Stakeholder Coordination – Foster strong, collaborative relationships with business units and suppliers, while further understanding the needs and issues that each side faces, driving strategic initiatives to identify continuous improvement opportunities and maximize value for money from awarded contracts
•    Bid Analysis – Support and guide buyers by providing analysis insights, coaching them through development of responses to complex bid requests, pointing out commercial differences, and making succinct recommendations in selecting appropriate suppliers for contract awards

Process Management and Improvement

• Drive continuous improvement to identify and eliminate waste in the extended E2E Supply Chain. Identify innovative procurement solutions that provide savings benefits and process efficiencies for the organization. Ability to take those ideas and clearly articulate the change solution/improvements to various stakeholders and change board

Total Cost of Ownership

• Evaluate and apply the concept of total cost of ownership (TCO) and supplier/ contract switching costs to support decision making options

Commercial Negotiation

• Capable of preparing complex negotiation strategies and mentor buyers in the team regarding thought process of laying out their negotiation strategies, with clarity of desired outcomes and conducting complex negotiations successfully under aggressive time demands. Has extensive working knowledge of terms and conditions

Understanding Counterparty

• Has comprehensive understanding of supplier's position, desired outcomes, and leverage points with the ability to maximize the benefits to the company while maintaining a good working relationship with suppliers

Team Building

• Collaborating with the manager/director supports and develops team building

Mentorship and Training

• Exemplify excellence in procurement standards by proactively mentoring and guiding Buyers and Associate Buyers, ensuring the adoption and utilization of best-in-class methodologies across National Grid Procurement. Extend support and expertise beyond the immediate team, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and collaboration within the organization

What You'll Need

•    Bachelor's degree (B.A or B.S) required; in supply chain or business management degree preferred, master’s degree, CPSM/APICS a plus
•    7+ Years experience in a procurement role preferred
•    Strategic sourcing, contract negotiations, project planning, and vendor management
•    Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, comfortable communicating with a wide cross-section of the business, including senior management. Able to clearly articulate one’s position and influence others 
•    Track record of directing discussions/negotiations, steering agendas, and effectively delivering difficult messages.
•    Experience working with various business units and stakeholders to align goals and strategies.
•    Effective in influencing stakeholders and communicating progress to senior leadership.
•    Experience in decision-making roles that positively impact business performance.
•    Excellent computer skills including Advanced Microsoft Excel & PowerPoint
 
Additional Preferred Qualifications
•    Prior experience leading a team and/or enrollment in a leadership development program
•    Professional Certification in Supply Chain or Contract Management (I.E. CPSM and APICS)
•    Strong working knowledge of ERP systems such as SAP and ARIBA. Also, working knowledge of Power Bi, etc.

Additional Information

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