2026 Graduate Buyer, 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 National Grid Graduate Buyer Scheme is an 18-month structured development programme designed to build commercial and procurement capability through three six-month placements. Two placements are based within Global Procurement, while a third ‘broadening’ placement offers experience in another area of the business, supporting wider development and a deeper understanding of National Grid’s operations. Upon successful completion of the scheme, graduates transition into permanent roles within Global Procurement.

During each procurement placement, Graduate Buyers work closely with experienced procurement professionals to support the delivery of strategic sourcing activities. You’ll be involved in multiple sourcing events, helping to shape sourcing strategies, challenge demand, and manage the end-to-end procurement process—from market engagement through to contract award.

This is a hands-on role that offers exposure to real commercial challenges, enabling you to develop core procurement skills, build stakeholder relationships, and contribute to the delivery of value across the business.

What You’ll Be Doing

As a Graduate Buyer, you’ll play a key role in supporting strategic procurement activity across the business. You’ll:

• Contribute to sourcing events and help shape procurement strategies that deliver value for National Grid.
• Research supply markets and share insights to support category development and decision-making.
• Manage sourcing processes from supplier engagement through to contract award.
• Collaborate with contract managers and suppliers to ensure successful delivery and continuous improvement.
• Lead tender activities for key business needs, ensuring cost-effective and high-quality outcomes.
• Support future planning by forecasting requirements and aligning procurement activity to business priorities.

Don’t meet all our requirements? Don’t worry, we are looking for people who are enthusiastic and excited about being part of National Grids journey to net zero.  

About You

We’re looking for curious, driven individuals who are ready to make an impact. You’ll thrive in this role if you:

• Communicate clearly and confidently, building strong relationships and working collaboratively to achieve shared goals.
• Enjoy solving problems and thinking creatively to develop smart, evidence-based solutions that deliver long-term value.
• Are self-aware, resilient, and open to feedback—always acting with integrity and taking ownership of your development.
• Have a commercial mindset and can weigh up options, make informed recommendations, and influence outcomes.
• Stay organised and focused, managing your time effectively across multiple projects and using planning tools to stay on track.

Our Graduate Programme

As you'll be joining our 18-month graduate programme, you'll have a tailored development pathway to support you as you develop a wide range of leadership, business, and technical skills. You'll attend in-person and virtual development sessions throughout your programme to equip you with the essential skills required, as you begin your career at National Grid. We're committed to the personal development of our colleagues so as well as the support from your line manager as you navigate your new role, you'll also have access to 121 coaching and a mentor, from a previous cohort to help you transition from campus to corporate life. 

All graduates complete the core development programme to develop key skills such as how to make an impact, giving feedback and presentation skills.  Aligned to this role is our Commercial pathway, where you'll further develop commerciality skills and gain important insight of engineering and electricity to increase your understanding of our business and industry. Dependent upon your role you may complete a formal qualification such as (Chartered Institute of Professional Development) CIPD.
 
 
We believe in the importance of getting as much on-the-job experience as possible and to do this, you will complete three 6-month placements, across the UK, designed to deepen your understanding of your speciality but to also broaden your knowledge of our business. At the end of your 18-month programme you'll return to your initial placement area to kickstart your superpowered career.

What You'll Need To Apply

To be considered for this role, you’ll need to have achieved — or be working towards — A Bachelor’s Degree, with a minimum 2:2 requirement for the UK Graduate Scheme at National Grid. No specific subjects are required to apply.

It doesn’t matter when you completed your degree — what matters is your enthusiasm to apply your knowledge in a real-world setting.

What You'll Get In Return

We are proud to offer a graduate starting salary of £36,640
 

Not only will you receive a tailored development programme to progress a superpowered career at National Grid, we also offer some great rewards and benefits too: 

• £2,000 bonus, once joined and started on programmeâ?¯
• 26 days holiday
• £2,400 payment on successful completion of the programme¯
• Up to £200 per month accommodation allowance as you move around the business, and additional annual leave for when you move between placements plus assistance with moving personal belongings
• Other benefits include pension and share-option schemes, Flexible Benefits, close mentorship and regular feedback & volunteering opportunities. 

More Information

You can only apply for one Graduate & Student opportunity during this recruitment cycle.

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 and Student Opportunties 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