Senior Category Buyer
About us
At National Grid, we're at the heart of the energy transition, connecting millions of people to the energy they use every day. As we invest in building and upgrading the network needed for a cleaner, more secure energy future, procurement plays a vital role in delivering the infrastructure, partnerships and innovation that make it possible.
We're looking for a Senior Category Buyer to join our Procurement team and help shape the sourcing strategies that support some of the UK's most significant energy projects.
Reporting to a Category Manager, you'll play a key role in delivering strategic procurement activity across your assigned category portfolio. You'll partner with business stakeholders, project teams, suppliers and delivery partners to develop sourcing strategies, manage complex procurement events and deliver value for money while supporting National Grid's ambitious investment programme.
This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced procurement professional who enjoys combining commercial expertise with stakeholder engagement to deliver tangible business outcomes.
This role can be based in either our Warwick or Birmingham office on a hybrid basis.
What you'll do
- Deliver multiple strategic sourcing events across your category portfolio, ensuring best value and alignment to business objectives.
- Support the development and execution of category strategies, identifying opportunities to drive value, innovation and supply chain resilience.
- Partner with stakeholders to understand and challenge demand, ensuring the most effective procurement solutions are implemented.
- Lead end-to-end sourcing activities, from market engagement and tendering through to negotiation and contract award.
- Work with Project Managers and Construction Delivery Partners to support the successful delivery of contracted activities.
- Profile supply markets, assess supplier capabilities and identify trends, opportunities and risks to support informed decision making.
- Develop and manage commercial assessment models to support complex procurement decisions.
- Identify continuous improvement opportunities through effective supplier and stakeholder engagement.
- Provide guidance and support to Buyers and Associate Buyers, championing procurement excellence and best practice.
- Support assurance activities to demonstrate value for money across procurement activity and project delivery.
What you'll need
- Significant experience in strategic sourcing and category management.
- Proven ability to manage complex procurement activities and deliver commercial outcomes.
- Experience developing and implementing sourcing strategies.
- Strong commercial acumen with the ability to lead negotiations and influence stakeholders at all levels.
- Experience developing and evaluating commercial models.
- Knowledge of contract development and contract management principles.
- Understanding of project management methodologies and experience managing multiple priorities simultaneously.
- Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
- A degree-level qualification or equivalent experience.
What you'll get
A competitive salary between £48,000 - £57,000 per annum (dependent on capability and experience).
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 Tuesday 25th August 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.
At National Grid, we work towards the highest standards in everything we do, including how we support, value and develop our people. Our aim is to encourage and support employees to thrive and be the best they can be. We celebrate the difference people can bring into our organisation, and welcome and encourage applicants with diverse experiences and backgrounds, and offer flexible and tailored support, at home and in the office.
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.