Category buyer

About the role

At National Grid, we light up the world by harnessing the unique strengths of our people. Join us as a Category Buyer to be part of a team that's driving forward the energy transition, creating a brighter, more sustainable future for all.

Reporting into a Category Manager, the Category Buyer is responsible for daily strategic procurement operations within the Substation Construction team. The role will assist the Category Manager and Senior Category Buyer in delivery of Category strategies, including planning and execution of strategic sourcing events through contract award and supporting lifecycle management. This will involve engaging and building strong working relationships with stakeholders across the business, within procurement, and externally, to identify business needs and then ensuring we understand the supply chains so we can offer the best solutions for National Grid.

This role is hybrid based out of our Warwick office or Castle Donington office with an expectation to be on site at least 3 times a week. Please note you must have a UK driving licence and be able to drive for the role.

What you’ll do

• Deliver multiple strategic sourcing events within portfolio, working with stakeholders to understand and challenge demand and ensure the best possible solutions for National Grid.
• Input into the sourcing strategy for allocated category 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.
• Work with Contract Managers to ensure the successful delivery of contracted activities, identifying continuous improvement opportunities through engagement with suppliers and stakeholders, and maximising value for money from contracts awarded.
• Support the overall delivery of assigned category strategy and share best practice across other category teams.
• Profile category characteristics and research supply markets, suppliers and assess trends, opportunities and risks feeding insights into the Global teams and Market and Supplier Development teams.
• Delivering value by effectively managing tender events for works required by the business.
• 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 works procured.
• Scope and develop regional contractual agreements that meet the customer stakeholder requirements and expectations where applicable.

What you’ll need

• Ideally, CIPS Qualified or working toward with experience of strategic sourcing and category management.
• An understanding of the Procurement Act 2023 (PA23) and Utilities Contracts Regulations (UCR) 2016.
• A strong understanding of project management principles and evidence of managing multiple projects and consistently delivering outstanding results.
• Ability to prepare for and to lead negotiations to deliver high value outcomes.
• Ability to build and manage complex commercial assessment models to ensure delivery of value across a balanced scorecard.
• Ability to communicate with stakeholders at different levels.
• Procurement systems experience including Achilles, Ariba, SAP Coupa (ideal but not essential).
• Experience of contract development, including the ability to make recommendations and amendments to existing contracts as well as drafting new ones.

What you’ll get

A competitive salary between £42,000 - £52,500 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 26th June 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.