Senior Category Buyer

National Grid; Warwick; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - 57,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading energy provider in the UK is seeking a Senior Category Buyer to drive strategic procurement for high-value projects. You will develop category strategies, run sourcing events, and manage supplier relationships for multi-billion-pound projects. Ideal candidates have significant strategic sourcing experience and should be CIPS qualified. The position is located in Warwick, with options for hybrid working.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Bonus based on performance

Contributory pension scheme

Flexible benefits such as share incentive plan

Employee assistance support

Qualifications

• Significant experience in strategic sourcing and category management.
• Strong track record of delivering procurement services.
• Ability to manage high-value procurements in complex environments.

Responsibilities

• Develop category strategies and deliver commercial recommendations.
• Run high-impact sourcing events and collaborate with stakeholders.
• Manage tender events ensuring value for money.

Skills

Strategic sourcing

Category management

Negotiation

Risk management

Supply chain optimization

Education

CIPS qualification (or equivalent)

Job description

At National Grid, we keep people connected and society moving. But it's so much more than that. National Grid supplies us with the environment to make it happen. As we generate momentum in the energy transition for all, we don't plan on leaving any of our customers in the dark. So, join us as a Senior Category Buyer, and find your superpower.

As a Senior Category Buyer, you'll be at the heart of strategic procurement for some of the most critical and high-value projects in the business. This isn't just buying-it's shaping the future of our supply chain. You'll work hand-in-hand with the Category Manager to deliver innovative category strategies, provide expert insight to NG business units, and lead strategic sourcing events that set the standard for excellence.

From negotiating complex commercial agreements to drafting contracts and building strong supplier relationships, you'll play a pivotal role in securing world-class systems works and services. These aren't everyday purchases-they're multi-billion-pound projects that power the nation, including converters, transformers, marine HVDC cables, switchgear, and civil works.

Operating in a capital-intensive, nationally significant environment, you'll engage with senior stakeholders and suppliers to ensure delivery of business priorities. Expect complexity, scale, and challenge-procurements that span geographies, involve intricate risk profiles, and demand strategic thinking at every step.

If you're ready to influence outcomes that matter on a national level, this is your opportunity to make an impact.

This role is based out of our Warwick or Castle Donnington office, and we'd hope to see you at least two days per week. We're happy to discuss any additional flexibility in working patterns or requirements that you feel could help to make this job work for you!

What You'll Do:

• Take ownership of developing category strategies and delivering commercial recommendations that drive real value. You'll lead the execution of sourcing strategies using best-in-class processes-from market engagement through to contract award.
• Run multiple high-impact sourcing events within your portfolio, challenging demand and collaborating with stakeholders to secure the best possible commercial outcomes for National Grid.
• Research supply markets, profile category characteristics, and identify trends, risks, and opportunities-feeding actionable insights into global teams and supplier development initiatives.
• Manage tender events for critical products and services, ensuring every procurement decision maximises value for money and supports business priorities.
• Partner with Contract Managers and Programme Managers to ensure smooth delivery of contracted activities, while identifying continuous improvement opportunities with suppliers and stakeholders.
• Be a role model for procurement excellence-mentoring Buyers and Associate Buyers to embed best-in-class methodologies across the organisation.
• Contribute to forward planning by forecasting future requirements and ensuring robust strategies are in place to deliver maximum value from every procurement.

What You'll Have:

• Ideally CIPS qualified (or equivalent).
• Significant experience in strategic sourcing and category management-preferably within a public, utilities or infrastructure sector context.
• A strong track record of delivering procurement services across the full lifecycle-from packaging nurturing strategies to contract awards.
• Solid understanding of project management principles and experience handling high-value procurements in complex environments.
• Ability to manage and optimise supply chains for maximum efficiency and value.
• Skilled in identifying and managing delivery and commercial risks, preparing for and leading negotiations, and building robust commercial assessment models.
• Experience in contract development-drafting new agreements and refining existing ones to meet evolving needs.
• Familiarity with project governance principles and their application in procurement.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with internal teams and suppliers to drive performance and deliver positive outcomes.

Don't meet every single requirement? Studies have shown that women and people of colour are less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At National Grid, we are committed to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace for everyone. So, if you're excited about this role but your experience or qualifications don't match the job description exactly, we encourage you to apply anyway. You might just be the right person for our growing business in this role or another one.

What You'll Get

A competitive salary between £50,000 - £57,000 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.

About Us:

National Grid is pioneering ways to decarbonise the energy system; from building interconnectors to allow the UK to share clean energy with our neighbours in Europe, to investing in renewable energy generation in the United States.

As one of the largest investor-owned energy companies in the world, National Grid is at the centre of a clean, fair and affordable energy future, where tackling climate change and reaching net zero is a key priority. National Grid is pioneering ways to decarbonise the energy system; from building interconnectors to allow the UK to share clean energy with our neighbours in Europe, to investing in renewable energy generation in the United States.

More Information:

This role closes on 18 January 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.

#LI-KP1

#LI-HYBRID