Senior Category Buyer--Group Directs Overhead Line Equip

Every day we deliver safe and secure energy to homes, communities, and businesses. We are there when people need us the most. We connect people to the energy they need for the lives they live. The pace of change in society and our industry is accelerating and our expertise and track record puts us in an unparalleled position to shape the sustainable future of our industry.

To be successful we must anticipate the needs of our customers, reducing the cost of energy delivery today and pioneering the flexible energy systems of tomorrow. This requires us to deliver on our promises and always look for new opportunities to grow, both ourselves and our business

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Senior Category Buyer to join the Group Directs Team on a Full Time (Hybrid), Permanent basis!

The Senior Category Buyer is responsible for strategic procurement operations within the Overhead Lines Equipment Team. The role will partner with the Category Manager in delivery of Category strategies, working with the NG business units to share supply chain insight and recommendations, award Contracts from leading strategic sourcing events, leading commercial negotiations, drafting contracts through to engaging and managing suppliers.

The OHL Equipment Senior Category Buyer role is accountable for high value, business critical goods, engaging at senior levels of the organization to ensure delivery of business priorities.

This role will engage and build strong working relationships with stakeholders across the business, within procurement, and externally, to develop commercial strategies, source and contract the goods and services required to meet the business needs.

Accountable for the development of category strategies, commercial recommendations and execution of sourcing strategy. You will for allocated category and execute standardized strategic sourcing processes from market engagement through to award, ensuring goods / services are procured in a best-in-class manner that drives value.

Deliver multiple strategic sourcing events within your portfolio, working with stakeholders to understand and challenge demand and ensure the best possible commercial solutions for National Grid.

Support the overall development and delivery of assigned category strategy and share best practice across other category teams.

Profile category characteristics and research supply markets, suppliers and assess trends, opportunities and risks feeding insights into the Global teams and Market and Supplier Development teams.

Delivering value by effectively managing tender events for key products required by the business.

Work with Contract Managers and/ or Procurement Program Managers to ensure the successful delivery of contracted activities, identifying continuous improvement category opportunities through engagement with suppliers and stakeholders, and maximizing value for money from contracts awarded.

Role model excellence in procurement standards, taking a proactive role in mentoring providing guidance to Buyers and Associate Buyers to ensure best-in-class methodologies are adopted and utilized across National Grid Procurement.

Contribute to an effective forward planning process by identifying future requirements of supported areas and ensure robust forecasting is put in place that maximizes value of goods / services procured.

Degree or equivalent experience

Significant experience of strategic sourcing and category management

An understanding of project management principles and ideally evidence of managing multiple projects and consistently delivering outstanding results.

Ability to prepare for and to lead negotiations.

Ability to build and manage complex commercial assessment models.

Experience of contract development, including the ability to make recommendations and amendments to existing contracts as well as drafting new ones.

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