2026 Buyer Industrial Placement, Procurement

About us

National Grid is at the heart of the UK energy network keeping people connected and society moving. We develop, own and maintain the physical infrastructure, such as pylons and cables needed to move the electricity generated from windfarms and power sources around the country. Every time a phone is plugged in, or a switch is turned on, we've played a part, connecting you to the electricity you need - and we're leading the transformation towards a greener future, dreaming bigger to bring a more affordable energy future to everyone.

But it's our people that provide our true superpower. They drive and sustain our growth, their unique differences only making us stronger. But it's no small feat and we need the best to join us in our mission. So, join us and power the future of energy. 

About The Role

The Procurement Industrial Placement is a 12-month opportunity designed for current university students looking to gain hands-on experience during their studies. This structured programme offers training, development, and exposure to strategic procurement operations, with the potential to progress directly onto National Grid’s Graduate Development Programme upon successful completion.

As a Procurement Undergraduate, you’ll report into a Category Manager or Senior Buyer, supporting strategic sourcing activities across two six-month placements. You’ll work closely with procurement professionals and business stakeholders to help shape sourcing strategies, manage supplier relationships, and deliver value across a range of goods and services.

This placement not only helps you explore your future career path but also allows National Grid to build a strong pipeline of talent for the future—giving you a real foothold in the energy industry.

What You’ll Do

• Support multiple strategic sourcing events, working with Senior Buyers, Category Managers, and stakeholders to understand and challenge demand
• Assist in researching supply markets, suppliers, and trends to inform category strategies and identify risks and opportunities
• Help execute strategic sourcing processes from market engagement through to contract award
• Collaborate with Contract Managers to ensure successful delivery of contracted activities and identify continuous improvement opportunities
• Manage tender events for key products and services, ensuring best-in-class procurement practices
• Contribute to forward planning by identifying future requirements and supporting robust forecasting
• Scope and help develop contractual agreements that meet stakeholder needs and expectations
• Gain exposure to procurement systems, processes, and governance, building a strong foundation for a future career in commercial roles

Our Industrial Placement

Our 12-month Industrial Placement offers you the opportunity to kickstart your career within the energy sector and discover your unique superpower. Throughout your placement, you’ll receive a tailored development programme designed to support your growth and development. This includes a combination of in-person and virtual training sessions led by our development team, as well as access to a range digital learning tools to help further enhance your skills.

Throughout your placement you’ll have opportunity to make connections amongst your cohort as well as regular check ins with a mentor and our Early Careers Team. Day-to-day, your placement manager will provide you access to a variety of on-the-job opportunities where you’ll take on real assignments and projects to make a genuine impact within your respective function. By the end of your placement, you’ll have developed your understanding of our business and the energy sector for your future career.

What you'll need to apply

You’ll need to be in your penultimate year and expecting to achieve a minimum 2.2 degree classification. There are no specific degree requirements for the role and we welcome applications from other backgrounds. We just need you to be eager to apply your knowledge in a real-world setting.

Location

This role is based in Warwick and may offer flexible hybrid working, where possible.

What You'll Get In Return

As a first step to your career in the energy industry, our Industrial Placement programmes are like no other. You’ll gain an insight into how we work at National Grid, providing you with a taster of the opportunities that await you. In addition, you’ll also receive some great rewards and benefits:

• Starting salary of £24,109
• 26 days holiday
• A chance to land a place on our Graduate Programme subject to your performance during your placement.
• Pensions plan, share-option scheme and flexible benefits
• 3 days development training, volunteering opportunities, close mentorship and regular feedback
• Invitation to join Newnet, our new starters network and employee resource group

You’ll gain more than just experience. We believe in nurturing talent and recognising exceptional performance. If you excel during your placement, you may receive an offer to join our Graduate Programme after you successfully complete your degree.

More Information

You can only apply for one Industrial Placement opportunity during this recruitment cycle. We kindly ask that you review all our student opportunities and apply for the one that aligns closest with your aspirations and interests.

We recruit on a rolling basis and reserve the right to close our vacancies once we have enough applications/based on volume of applications. We encourage you to apply as early as possible to ensure you obtain the place you want in the application process. 

Assessment centres will be held between November - April 2026

National Grid's Graduate & Student opportunities in the UK are open to all applicants who meet the eligibility criteria including an existing and valid right to work in the UK. As part of the application process this will need to be evidenced and verified before you can start the programme.

Please note that in most cases, National Grid is unable to offer sponsorship for employment under the UK points-based immigration system. As such, applicants must have the legal right to work in the UK without requiring sponsorship now or in the future under the UK points-based immigration system. However, in exceptional circumstances where there is a clear and demonstrable need for specialist skills that cannot be sourced from the local labour market, National Grid may consider offering sponsorship. All applications are welcome from candidates who meet these requirements, regardless of race, nationality, or ethnic origin.

Please be aware that it’s your responsibility to explore avenues of working in the UK, as we're not able to provide advice on this. For information about visas please visit https://www.gov.uk/browse/visas-immigration/work-visas