Senior Category Buyer

About us

At National Grid, our commitment to a cleaner, greener energy future is powered by the dedication and ingenuity of our people. Join our team as a Senior Category Buyer (Group Directs - Static Wound Equipment) and be a part of something bigger—where your unique skills and passions can make a real difference. Together, we are superpowered.

As a Senior Category Buyer, you’ll be responsible for strategic procurement operations within an aligned business area. The role will partner the Category Manager in delivery of Category strategies and associated outputs in the Group Directs Equipment category. This will involve engaging and building strong working relationships with stakeholders globally across the appropriate and multiple business units, within procurement, and externally, to identify business needs and then ensuring we understand the supply chains as well as acting as the commercial contract lead on supplier contracts for specific business units (mainly NGED and the NGUS) so we can offer the best solutions for National Grid.

This is a global role where you will be working across various National Grid locations within the UK and the US and will therefore involve international travel, and would be ideal for any candidate with procurement, commercial or contract management experience.

The role is based out of our Warwick office with hybrid working. We’re happy to discuss any additional flexibility in working patterns or requirements that you feel could help to make this job work for you.

What You'll Do

• Deliver strategic sourcing events within portfolio, working with stakeholders to understand and challenge demand 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 for National Grid.
• Input into the development and execution of sourcing strategy for the allocated category portfolio
• Profile category characteristics and research supply markets, suppliers and assess trends, opportunities and risks feeding insights into the wider Category teams and Market and Supplier Development teams.
• Contribute to an effective forward planning process by identifying future requirements of supported areas and ensure robust forecasting is put in place that maximises value of goods / services procured.
• Work closely with internal and external stakeholders to manage contracts end to end, from conception through to completion, identifying risks early, implementing mitigation plans, and maximising opportunities to drive value.
• Act as the commercial lead on supplier contracts, providing expert commercial leadership across a diverse portfolio to maximise contract efficiency, performance and value
• Proactively build, develop and maintain strong strategic partnerships with suppliers and contractors
• Strengthening relationships, influencing external stakeholders and enhancing National Grid’s reputation.
• Partner with and coach suppliers to encourage new market entrants, supporting the availability of equipment that meets required standards of quality, cost and performance.
• Lead the implementation of Supplier and Contractor Performance Management processes, monitoring contract delivery, reporting on performance, with the ability to analyse KPIs and contract data, to support commercial decision making and escalating issues where required.
• Role model excellence in procurement standards, taking a proactive role in mentoring / providing guidance to Buyers and Associate Buyers where needed to ensure best-in-class methodologies are adopted and utilised across National Grid Global Procurement and system knowledge is shared.

What You'll Have

• MCIPS qualified or enthusiasm to work towards
• Experience of strategic sourcing and category management.
• An understanding of project management principles and ideally evidence of managing multiple projects and consistently delivering outstanding results.
• Experience of contract development, negotiating and managing supplier contractual arrangements, including the ability to make recommendations and amendments to existing contracts as well as drafting new ones.
• Ability to manage stakeholder communications independently at all levels.
• Ability to build and manage complex commercial assessment models
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, capable of leading and influencing a large, devolved team.

Don’t meet every single requirement? Studies have shown that women and people of colour are less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At National Grid, we are committed to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace for everyone. So, if you’re excited about this role but your experience or qualifications don’t match the job description exactly, we encourage you to apply anyway. You might just be the right person for our growing business in this role or another one.

What You'll Get

A competitive salary of £48,374–£57,012.50 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 several 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 is a Level 7 role.

Location: Warwick NGHouse UK (Hybrid)

Role closes: 25 May at 11:59p

Interviews: To commence after 25 May

Business Unit: Procurement

Please ensure you meet eligibility requirements for internal and lateral moves in line with the Global Recruitment and Hiring  Policy.

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.