Senior Buyer (Indirects)

About the Role

National Energy System Operator (NESO) recognises the potential of bright and talented individuals, and we encourage you to join us as Great Britain’s energy system undergoes an ambitious, exciting, and vital transformation. Together with industry, we are creating a cleaner, more sustainable energy future. Reporting to the Procurement Manager – Indirects and Professional Services, the Senior Buyer (Indirects) leads and delivers procurement activities for NESO within a regulated environment. The role works closely with stakeholders to forecast demand pipelines, develop category and sourcing strategies, and design and deliver compliant sourcing events. All procurement activity is documented to ensure full regulatory and governance compliance. The Senior Buyer develops and reviews sourcing strategies across assigned spend categories, collaborating with cross‑functional teams to achieve effective commercial outcomes.

Responsibilities include managing the end‑to‑end procurement lifecycle, from strategy and tendering (in line with PCR/UCR and PA23 routes to market) through to negotiation and contract award, while driving value‑based performance. A strong focus is placed on stakeholder and supplier relationship management, performance monitoring, and continuous improvement. The role also ensures effective risk management and value creation, delivering compliance and value for money across NESO’s indirect spend. This role can be based in Warwick or Wokingham, and we continue to offer hybrid working from office and home. We are open to full time and part time applicants, as well as flexible working arrangements.

Key Accountabilities

• Leading a portfolio of strategic sourcing events across indirect categories, from strategy, preliminary market engagement and procurement through to contract award, applying the most effective sourcing strategies to ensuring timely delivery of compliant and commercially robust outcomes.
• Developing and issuing sourcing documentation (e.g. RFPs), manage supplier engagement, and lead negotiations to secure best value. Presenting sourcing recommendations for approval at an Executive level by demonstrating expertise on the procurement process followed and by providing a clear rationale to support decisions.
• Driving value creation through demand management, aggregation, supplier innovation, and effective market competition.
• Ensuring compliance with PA23/PCR and NESO governance requirements, maintaining robust controls, risk management, and audit‑ready documentation.
• Collaborating with stakeholders to understand requirements and deliver commercially effective, value‑for‑money sourcing solutions.
• Conducting market and supplier analysis to inform category strategies and identify opportunities for innovation and improvement.
• Building and maintaining strong supplier relationships, managing performance and driving continuous improvement across the supply base.

Applicants must have the right to work in the UK by the start of employment. Visa sponsorship may not be available for this role and will be considered in line with business requirements.

About You

We’re forging the path, and we know we can’t do it alone. That’s why we need visionary minds like yours to join us on this transformative journey. In this case, we’re looking for someone who has:

• Public sector experience and familiarity of working with UCR, PCR2015 and the Procurement Act 2023 is essential for this role.
• Expert influencing and negotiation skills to drive optimum value by awarding commercially sound and compliant contracts.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build and maintain relationships across supplier and stakeholder groups.
• Strong commercial acumen and experienced negotiator who is skilled in using a range of negotiating tactics to achieve commercial and non‑commercial outcomes.
• Strategic procurement experience in complex environments.
• Entrepreneurial, ability to deal with ambiguity, progressive, procurement professional with attention to details on compliance and assurance.

What You’ll Get

A competitive salary of £55,000 - £60,000 dependent on experience and capability. You will receive a bonus based on company performance, 26 days annual leave as standard, and a competitive contributory pension scheme where we will double match your contribution to a maximum company contribution of 12%. Annual Enrollment to NESO Savings Plan, when you save between £20- £500 a month from your take‑home pay, we will pay a 50% matching contribution. NESO's flexible benefits programme provides you with more flexibility around your health, lifestyle and protection benefits.

About Us

At the National Energy System Operator (NESO), we play a vital role in tackling climate change and securing Great Britain's energy future. We already operate the world's fastest decarbonising electricity system and are working towards our ambition to run it carbon‑free for a short period this year - provided the market supplies electricity exclusively from renewable sources. Alongside this, we provide expert advice to government on how to deliver a clean power system by 2030. In autumn 2024, the Electricity System Operator (ESO) transitioned to become NESO - an independent, expert public corporation with a whole‑system view across electricity, gas, and hydrogen. NESO operates independently and transparently, always acting in the best interests of all energy users. Licensed and regulated by Ofgem, we make impartial decisions that balance sustainability, affordability and security. Our organisation is fully independent from government, the regulator and all commercial interests, with a clear focus on system‑wide benefit, long term thinking and public value. The time to deliver is now. Join the energy transformation and help shape the future. Your energy. Our future. Together.