Us director, uk senior manager, category management

About the role

At National Grid, we keep energy flowing to millions of customers, safely and reliably. We're investing in the infrastructure needed for a cleaner, greener future‑enabling renewable energy and strengthening the resilience of our networks. Our people are at the heart of this transformation, driving real impact for communities and the energy system.

We're currently recruiting for a Head of Category - Workforce and Services reporting to the Vice President of Procurement within National Grid.

As a Head of Category you will lead a portfolio of high-value, multi-million-pound categories.

Alongside full end‑to‑end category ownership-from strategy and market insight through to sourcing and contract management-you will also operate as a strategic business partner. In this capacity, you will work closely with senior business leaders to align procurement activity to organisational priorities, influence decision‑making, and deliver measurable commercial and performance outcomes.

This is a senior leadership opportunity within National Grid's Global Procurement function, where you will lead a high-value portfolio of workforce and services categories while operating as a trusted strategic partner to senior stakeholders. You will be accountable for shaping and delivering category strategies that maximise value, mitigate risk, and enable business performance, while building strong supplier partnerships and leading a high‑performing team. This role offers the opportunity to influence at the highest levels and play a key part in supporting National Grid's transformation and long‑term strategic objectives.

The role is a hybrid role with our base office in Warwick.

What you'll do

• Lead the development and delivery of comprehensive category strategies, ensuring value maximisation, security of supply and effective risk management
• Act as a trusted procurement partner to senior stakeholders, aligning procurement priorities with business unit and functional objectives
• Provide strategic market insights, commercial expertise, and recommendations to inform decision‑making
• Build and maintain strong relationships with key suppliers, driving performance, innovation and continuous improvement
• Lead supplier engagement and vendor management strategies across critical contracts
• Ensure robust contract lifecycle management, including governance, compliance and performance optimisation
• Collaborate across procurement sub‑functions (including sustainability, supply chain risk, and supplier diversity) to deliver integrated solutions
• Identify, assess and mitigate supply chain risks, including disruption, cost volatility and quality challenges
• Lead, develop and inspire a high‑performing procurement team, fostering a culture of continuous improvement, innovation and engagement
• Contribute to the ongoing development and maturity of the Global Procurement function as part of the leadership team

What you'll need

• Significant experience in category management within a complex, multi‑country or global organisation
• A strong track record of delivering category strategies that drive commercial value and performance
• Broad expertise across indirect spend categories and supply chain management
• Demonstrated experience building and leading high‑performing teams
• Excellent stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to influence at senior executive level internally and externally
• Strong negotiation and commercial acumen, with a focus on delivering robust, value‑driven contracts
• Experience managing strategic supplier relationships and driving value from key partnerships
• The ability to translate business objectives into procurement strategies and outcomes
• An interest in developing knowledge of the utilities sector and relevant procurement regulations, including UCR and the Procurement Act 2025

What you'll get

A competitive salary between £76,000 - £94,000 per annum—dependent on capability.

As well as your base salary, you will receive a bonus based on personal and company performance of upto 30% 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 30th June 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.

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.