Senior Buyer, Category Management

About us

At National Grid, we're powering a cleaner, greener energy future—and our people are at the heart of that ambition. Join us as a Senior Category Buyer and play a key 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 procurement function that is central to our transformation-driving strategic value across major infrastructure projects.

In this role, you'll partner with the Category Manager to deliver category strategies and lead strategic procurement activity across marine services, working closely with stakeholders across marine engineering, programme delivery (capex), and the supply chain.

This role is based in Warwick with hybrid working and flexibility to support you at your best.

• Lead and develop a high‑performing team within the Marine Services category, collaborating closely across HVDC Group Directs to deliver shared objectives.
• Own end‑to‑end procurement delivery for marine survey and consultancy services—shaping strategy, running competitive tenders, negotiating contracts, and ensuring seamless mobilisation.
• Play a pivotal role in major infrastructure projects
  , managing framework call‑offs across a diverse supplier base (35 suppliers, 16 lots) supporting geophysical, geotechnical, environmental, UXO, and specialist consultancy services.
• Drive strategic sourcing excellence
  , contributing to category strategy and delivering best‑in‑class procurement outcomes aligned to cost, quality, and delivery.
• Partner with key stakeholders across programme delivery, engineering, JV procurement, and legal teams to ensure procurement activity supports critical project timelines and mitigates risk.
• Continuously improve how we work
  , identifying opportunities to streamline processes, enhance supplier performance, and deliver greater value to the business.
• Maintain and strengthen supplier relationships
  , using market insight and performance data to optimise framework outcomes and support innovation.
• Build your expertise in the marine services market
  , engaging with suppliers, industry events, and internal stakeholders to stay ahead of trends and opportunities.
• Champion best practice procurement
  , mentoring and supporting junior team members to build capability and ensure consistent, high‑quality delivery.
• Shape future demand and planning
  , ensuring strong visibility of upcoming procurement activity and alignment with programme needs.

• MCIPS Level 5 or 6 qualified (or working towards), with proven experience in strategic sourcing and category management within complex, high‑value, or capital project environments (e.g. energy, utilities, infrastructure or HVDC supply chains).
• Strong understanding of project and programme delivery, with the ability to manage multiple work streams simultaneously and consistently deliver against challenging timelines, budgets, and stakeholder expectations.
• Demonstrable experience leading end‑to‑end sourcing activities, including preparing for and executing commercial negotiations, and building robust should‑cost / total cost of ownership (TCO) models to underpin sourcing decisions.
• Proven track record in contract development and management, including drafting new contracts (e.g. Services, NEC/FIDIC or bespoke forms), reviewing supplier positions, and negotiating amendments to optimise commercial, technical, and risk positions.
• Good working knowledge of the regulated procurement environment, ideally within utilities or public sector settings, including familiarity with UCR 2016 (Utilities Contracts Regulations) and the Procurement Act 2023.

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.

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