Senior Category Buyer

National Grid; Warwick; On-site; GBP 51,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Share incentive plan

Pension with employer match

Salary sacrifice car

Technology schemes

Employee assistance

Matched charity giving

Job summary

National Grid is seeking a Senior Buyer to join its IT Procurement team in the UK. You will help shape category strategies, lead sourcing events and negotiate contracts across IT hardware, infrastructure and services.

The role requires strong commercial, analytical and stakeholder-management skills to drive value and efficiency in a regulated environment. In addition to a competitive base salary, a bonus scheme and a contributory pension are offered, along with flexible benefits.

Qualifications

• Significant experience in strategic sourcing, category management and procurement within a regulated environment.
• Proven IT category procurement experience, ideally covering technology hardware, infrastructure, end-user computing and related services.
• Strong commercial, analytical and negotiation skills, with experience managing complex sourcing projects.
• Experience developing supplier strategies, conducting commercial assessments and delivering measurable value.
• Knowledge of contract development and commercial terms, with the ability to review, draft and improve contractual agreements.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and work effectively with senior stakeholders.
• Strong communication and relationship-building skills, with the confidence to challenge and influence when required.
• Understanding of project management principles and experience delivering successful outcomes across multiple initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Supporting the development and delivery of category strategies that align to business objectives and long-term procurement goals.
• Building strong relationships with stakeholders, suppliers and procurement colleagues to understand business needs and deliver effective sourcing solutions.
• Leading competitive sourcing events including RFx processes, direct negotiations and sole-source activities.
• Conducting supplier and market analysis to identify opportunities, mitigate risk and drive continuous improvement.
• Delivering commercial evaluations and making recommendations for supplier selection and contract awards.
• Leading commercial negotiations to secure the best outcomes for National Grid.
• Using data, analytics and market intelligence to identify value creation opportunities throughout the contract lifecycle.
• Partnering with suppliers to improve performance, manage risk and enhance strategic relationships.
• Supporting process improvements that drive efficiencies and strengthen procurement capabilities across the business.

Skills

Strategic sourcing

IT procurement

IT category procurement

Tech hardware

IT infrastructure

End-user computing

Commercial acumen

Analytical skills

Negotiation

Supplier strategy

Commercial assessments

Value delivery

Contract knowledge

Commercial terms

Stakeholder management

Prioritization

Communication

Relationship building

Job description

About The Role

At National Grid, we're building a cleaner, fairer and more resilient energy future. To do that, we need strategic procurement professionals who can help us unlock value, drive innovation and build strong supplier partnerships.

We're looking for a Senior Buyer to join our IT Procurement team, supporting categories across IT hardware, infrastructure, end-user computing and wider technology services.

Working closely with Category Managers and key business stakeholders, you'll help shape and deliver category strategies, lead sourcing activities, negotiate commercial agreements and identify opportunities to improve value, performance and efficiency across the supply chain.

This is a fantastic opportunity for an experienced procurement professional who enjoys working in a complex, regulated environment and wants to influence business-critical technology decisions.

What You'll Do

• Supporting the development and delivery of category strategies that align to business objectives and long-term procurement goals.
• Building strong relationships with stakeholders, suppliers and procurement colleagues to understand business needs and deliver effective sourcing solutions.
• Leading competitive sourcing events including RFx processes, direct negotiations and sole-source activities.
• Conducting supplier and market analysis to identify opportunities, mitigate risk and drive continuous improvement.
• Delivering commercial evaluations and making recommendations for supplier selection and contract awards.
• Leading commercial negotiations to secure the best outcomes for National Grid.
• Using data, analytics and market intelligence to identify value creation opportunities throughout the contract lifecycle.
• Partnering with suppliers to improve performance, manage risk and enhance strategic relationships.
• Supporting process improvements that drive efficiencies and strengthen procurement capabilities across the business.

Short Description

• Significant experience in strategic sourcing, category management and procurement within a regulated environment.
• Proven IT category procurement experience, ideally covering technology hardware, infrastructure, end-user computing and related services.
• Strong commercial, analytical and negotiation skills, with experience managing complex sourcing projects.
• Experience developing supplier strategies, conducting commercial assessments and delivering measurable value.
• Knowledge of contract development and commercial terms, with the ability to review, draft and improve contractual agreements.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and work effectively with senior stakeholders.
• Strong communication and relationship-building skills, with the confidence to challenge and influence when required.
• Understanding of project management principles and experience delivering successful outcomes across multiple initiatives.

Short Description

A competitive salary between £50,600.00 -£59,635.50 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.

Short Description

This role closes on 18th November 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.