natgridProd
Senior Buyer, Category Management
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About the role
At National Grid, we’re powering a cleaner, greener energy future—and our people are at the heart of that mission. Join us as a Senior Category Buyer and play a pivotal role in delivering critical infrastructure that supports the UK’s energy security and net zero transition.
As part of a FTSE 100 organisation with a £70bn investment programme, you’ll contribute to a high-performing procurement function that is central to our transformation—driving strategic value across complex, high-value infrastructure projects.
Working closely with the Category Manager, you will lead sub-category delivery across Marine Services, shaping strategy and executing high-impact procurement activity across the HVDC Operations & Maintenance portfolio.
Location: Warwick (hybrid – typically 1–2 days onsite)
What You'll Do
Leadership & Delivery
- Act as a senior procurement lead, managing and developing a team of 3–4 permanent staff alongside graduates and apprentices.
- Allocate workload, support capability development, and ensure consistent high-quality delivery across the category.
End-to-End Procurement Ownership
- Own the marine survey and consultancy services framework, responsible for:
- Category strategy input and execution
- Full lifecycle management of framework call-offs
- Delivering multiple concurrent tenders aligned to Capex delivery timelines
- Lead procurement projects end-to-end including:
- Tender pack creation and issuance
- Supplier clarifications and bid management
- Evaluation processes and moderation sessions
- Commercial negotiations and contract award
- Internal governance approvals and reporting
Strategic Impact
- Manage a critical framework (35 suppliers across 16 lots).
- Geophysical & geotechnical surveys
- Environmental services
- UXO and specialist consultancy
- Deliver commercial value, cost savings, and added value reporting against defined budgets.
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Stakeholder Engagement
- Partner with key stakeholders across:
- Marine Engineering
- Infrastructure and Capex programme teams
- JV partners and legal teams
- Ensure procurement activity is compliant, commercially optimised, and risk-managed.
Supplier & Market Management
- Maintain strong supplier relationships and lead performance reviews.
- Use market insight and supply chain intelligence to continuously enhance framework performance and inform strategy evolution.
Continuous Improvement
- Identify and implement process improvements to streamline delivery and increase efficiency.
- Build expertise in the marine services market through supplier engagement and industry participation.
What You'll Have
- Ideally, MCIPS Level 5 (or working towards)
- Strong experience in strategic sourcing and category management, ideally within complex, high-value or capital project environments (e.g. utilities, energy, infrastructure, HVDC supply chains)
- Proven ability to manage multiple concurrent procurement workstreams in fast-paced, high-pressure environments
- Expertise in end-to-end sourcing and commercial negotiation, including development of:
- Should-cost models
- Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) analysis
- Strong contract experience, including:
- Drafting and negotiating contracts (NEC, FIDIC, or bespoke services agreements)
- Managing commercial and risk positions effectively
- Ideally, an understanding of regulated procurement environments, including:
- Utilities Contracts Regulations 2016 (UCR)
- Procurement Act 2023
Onboarding & Development
You’ll be supported by an experienced team and your Category Manager, with access to National Grid’s extensive training and development programmes. Where required, you will be upskilled in regulated procurement (including Procurement Act 2023), supported by a structured personal development plan.
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With over 400 procurement professionals across the UK and US, you’ll be joining a function that is innovative, fast-paced, and increasingly leveraging digital and AI capabilities.
What You'll Get
- Up to £58,000 – 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 role closes on Thursday 18th June, however we encourage candidates to submit their application as early as possible and not wait until the published closing date as this can vary.
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.
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