Northern Powergrid
Senior Buyer (24-Month FTC)
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Senior Buyer (24-Month FTC)
Req Number: 100208
Location: Castleford
Directorate: Commercial
An exciting opportunity has arisen for an enthusiastic Senior Buyer to join our Commercial team on a 24-month FTC.
The energy industry is advancing with investment in smart technology innovation and Northern Powergrid, as the company responsible for powering everyday life for 8 million customers across 3.9 million homes and businesses in the North East, Yorkshire and northern Lincolnshire, is at the forefront of delivering a power network that meets the region’s needs now and in the future.
We are a diverse team, creating a smarter, more flexible electricity distribution network that will enable our region to decarbonise and meet the needs of our customers now, and in the future.
Along with a competitive salary of between £40,000 - £50,000 we also offer great benefits such as;
- 10% Performance Bonus
- £4000 Retention Bonus
- Enrolment into our pension scheme
- 25 days holiday
Key Responsibilities
- Developing robust sourcing strategies for each tender, ensuring optimum value, supplier competitiveness, and alignment with organisational objectives.
- Premarket engagement to improve competition and outcomes.
- Leading the supplier pre-qualification process, developing appropriate selection criteria to identify capable partners and helping shape a high-quality, compliant supplier pool.
- Collaborating closely with internal stakeholders to produce comprehensive Invitation to Tender (ITT) documents, including scopes of work, technical specifications, contract terms, and award criteria.
- Evaluating supplier submissions across both pre-qualification and tender stages, against published criteria, and applying commercial insight, risk awareness, and business alignment to all recommendations.
- Facilitating tender clarification activities, including supplier Q&A and clarification meetings, ensuring a transparent and well-managed process.
- Analysing value, affordability, and commercial viability of bids to support informed, strategic decision-making.
- Preparing clear, compelling award proposals that capture the outcomes of the sourcing process and guide business leaders toward confident contract awards.
- Driving the contract award and execution process, working with suppliers and business teams to ensure seamless transition from tender to contract start.
- Supporting and mentoring junior team members, sharing knowledge, developing capability, and contributing to a high-performing procurement function.
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Key Competencies
- Strong commercial judgement. Able to assess value, identify risks and opportunities, and make informed commercial decisions that support organisational objectives.
- High level of data competency. Experienced in interpreting and analysing data, using insights to inform recommendations, and presenting information clearly to stakeholders.
- Customer-focused approach. Demonstrates strong communication and relationship-building skills, delivering a responsive and high-quality service to internal stakeholders.
- Ability to engage effectively at all levels. Confident working with colleagues across the organisation, from front-line teams to senior leadership.
- Effective stakeholder management. Skilled in coordinating multiple stakeholders throughout the tender process, ensuring clarity, alignment, and timely progression of activities.
- Experience managing large, high-value contracts. Capable of overseeing multi-million-pound contract portfolios to ensure performance, value, and compliance.
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Qualifications & Attributes
Essential Qualifications and Experience
- Educated to A Level standard (or equivalent).
- MCIPS qualified, working towards accreditation, or demonstrating a strong commitment to.
- Full, clean UK driving licence.
- Proven experience delivering projects on time, ensuring tasks are completed within agreed schedules and expectations.
- Strong negotiation skills, with a track record of achieving favourable outcomes.
- Good understanding of contract terms, conditions, and the basics of contract law, and the ability to apply this knowledge in practice.
- Proficient in Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
Desirable Qualifications and Experience
- Degree-level education in a relevant discipline, such as procurement, business, supply chain, engineering, or similar.
- Experience using electronic sourcing systems, with confidence navigating digital tendering and supplier management tools.
- Background in regulated procurement, with an understanding of compliance requirements and structured procurement processes.
- Experience working within the utilities sector or a similar regulated industry, ideally involving large-scale or complex procurement activity.
- Practical experience procuring services that support operational, engineering, or maintenance activities, ensuring suppliers can meet technical and service level needs.
We may close this advert early if we receive a high volume of applications.
Applicants are considered on the basis of their suitability for the post irrespective of sex, marital status, sexual orientation, gender re-assignment, race, age, or disability, in accordance with the Equality Act 2010.
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