Senior Category Buyer

About the role

This is an exciting opportunity to join National Grid's Global Procurement function. With a spend of approximately $4 billion worth of contracts to be awarded annually in the UK and US, you will be part of a strong team of talented professionals committed to enabling a clean, fair, and affordable energy future through commercial, responsible, and innovative supply chain leadership.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement robust Category Strategies that are vital to the business.
• Engage and build strong working relationships with stakeholders to identify business needs and ensure understanding of supply chains to offer the best solutions for National Grid.
• Play a key part within the Global Direct Team focused on a variety of direct buying activities.
• Work closely with internal and external stakeholders to manage contracts end to end, from conception through to completion, identifying risks early, implementing mitigation plans, and maximizing opportunities to drive value.
• Strengthen relationships, influence external stakeholders, and enhance National Grid’s reputation.
• Model excellence in procurement standards, take a proactive role in mentoring/ providing guidance to Buyers and Associate Buyers, and ensure best-in-class methodologies are adopted and utilized across National Grid Global Procurement.
• Act as the commercial lead on supplier contracts, providing expert commercial leadership across a diverse portfolio to maximize contract efficiency, performance, and value.
• Proactively build, develop, and maintain strong strategic partnerships with suppliers and contractors.
• Partner with and coach suppliers to encourage new market entrants, supporting the availability of equipment that meets required standards of quality, cost, and performance.
• Lead the implementation of Supplier and Contractor Performance Management processes, monitoring contract delivery, reporting on performance, analyzing KPIs and contract data to support commercial decision-making, and escalating issues where required.

Requirements

• Procurement experience within large similar organizations.
• Experience of strategic sourcing and category management.
• An understanding of project management principles and evidence of managing multiple projects and consistently delivering outstanding results.
• Experience of contract development, negotiation, and management of supplier contractual arrangements, including the ability to make recommendations and amendments to existing contracts as well as drafting new ones.
• Ability to manage stakeholder communications independently at all levels.
• Ability to build and manage complex commercial assessment models.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, capable of leading and influencing a large, devolved team.
• Understanding of switchgear or related category would be beneficial.

Qualifications

The ideal candidate will have a bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain Management, Economics, Engineering, or a related field. A master's degree is preferred. Additionally, candidates should have a minimum of 5 years of relevant experience in procurement, commercial, or contract management roles.

Skills

• Strategic thinking and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Project management and organizational skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Knowledge of procurement tools and software.
• Ability to analyze data and make informed decisions.

Benefits

Annual salary ranges vary by location:

• Syracuse and surrounding area: $91,000 - $106,000
• Waltham and surrounding area: $102,000 - $119,000
• Brooklyn and surrounding area: $109,000 - $128,000

Pay

Annual salary ranges vary by location:

• Syracuse and surrounding area: $91,000 - $106,000
• Waltham and surrounding area: $102,000 - $119,000
• Brooklyn and surrounding area: $109,000 - $128,000

Schedule

Full-time position.

Benefits

Health insurance, retirement plan, paid time off, and other benefits are available.

Skills

• Procurement experience within large similar organizations.
• Experience of strategic sourcing and category management.
• An understanding of project management principles and evidence of managing multiple projects and consistently delivering outstanding results.
• Experience of contract development, negotiation, and management of supplier contractual arrangements, including the ability to make recommendations and amendments to existing contracts as well as drafting new ones.
• Ability to manage stakeholder communications independently at all levels.
• Ability to build and manage complex commercial assessment models.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, capable of leading and influencing a large, devolved team.
• Understanding of switchgear or related category would be beneficial.

Benefits

• Health insurance.
• Retailer retirement plan.
• Paid time off.
• Other benefits.