HVDC Category Manager
About the role
At National Grid, we’re playing a vital role in delivering a clean, fair and affordable energy future. As we accelerate the transition to net zero, the scale of our infrastructure investment is unprecedented – and so is the opportunity to shape the future of energy.
Our Procurement team sits at the heart of this transformation, enabling critical projects across the UK, Europe and the US. Joining us means working on some of the most complex and strategically important programmes in the energy sector today.
We’re looking for a Category Manager to join our HVDC procurement team, supporting the delivery of a major global framework valued at c.£59bn.
This is a high-profile and strategically critical role, where you’ll lead supply chain strategy for HVDC across multiple international projects. You’ll be responsible for ensuring security of supply in a highly competitive and evolving market, while delivering commercial value and supporting National Grid’s wider business objectives.
Alongside category ownership, you’ll act as a key business partner to HVDC stakeholders, providing insight, coordinating procurement activity, and strengthening relationships with strategic suppliers.
This role is hybrid with our base office in Warwick you can enjoy working from the office and home.
You’ll lead a team of circa 3–5 people and play a key role in shaping one of National Grid’s most strategically significant procurement categories.
What you'll do
- Lead the development and execution of category and supply chain strategies for HVDC, delivering value, cost efficiencies, and risk reduction
- Embed and manage a high-value procurement framework across National Grid Group, securing supply in a complex and volatile market
- Build and maintain strong relationships with internal stakeholders and critical external suppliers
- Provide market intelligence, ensuring capacity, capability and risks are effectively understood and managed
- Deliver strategic procurement insights, including sustainability, supply chain risk, and commercial opportunities
- Identify and mitigate risks across the category, including supply disruption, price volatility, and quality challenges
- Collaborate across procurement sub-functions (e.g. sustainability, supplier development, risk and transparency)
- Lead and develop a high-performing team, driving engagement and a strong performance culture
What you'll need
- Strong procurement experience, with a track record of delivering category strategy and commercial value
- Experience across strategic sourcing and supply chain management
- Ability to influence and engage senior stakeholders and external partners
- Proven leadership capability, including developing and managing high-performing teams
- Strong commercial acumen, negotiation skills, and contract management experience
- Ability to translate market intelligence into strategic decision-making
- Degree or relevant professional qualification (e.g. CIPS) or equivalent experience
What you'll get
A competitive salary between £61,000 - £76,000 per annum – 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 closes on 10th July 2026 at 23:59, however we encourage candidates to submit their application as early as possible and not wait until the published closing date as this can vary.
More Information
We value diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive workplace for all. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates – we make appointments purely on merit, assessed against objective selection criteria. We support flexible working and will make reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process should you have any physical or mental impairment which may affect your ability to participate in the process.
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.