Senior Buyer, Category Management in Grain

Grain LNG is Europe’s largest liquefied natural gas importation terminal by storage capacity, located on the Isle of Grain in Kent. The terminal plays a critical role in supporting the UK’s energy security by providing substantial regasification, storage, and send out capability sufficient to supply 25-30% of Great Britain’s gas demand. As an expanding critical energy asset positioned for the future energy transition, Grain LNG continues to evolve—enhancing operational resilience, embracing new technologies, and shaping its role as a key enabler of the UK’s Net Zero ambitions.

We are currently recruiting for a Category Buyer to join our Procurement team. Working as a Category Buyer you will be responsible for leading complex, high value Strategic Sourcing Events that bring this new critical infrastructure to market. This will involve engaging and building strong working relationships with stakeholders and supply chain partners to execute our sourcing strategies and drive capital and operational efficiencies as you take critical asset schemes to market, using your Procurement skillset, commercial acumen and negotiating experience to deliver value for our end consumers. The role is hybrid so you can enjoy working from our office at the Isle of Grain, Rochester and from home.

What you’ll do:

• Deliver multiple strategic sourcing events, collaborating with stakeholders to understand demand and provide optimal commercial solutions.
• Support the development and delivery of assigned category strategies while sharing best practices across category teams.
• Profile category characteristics and research supply markets to assess trends, opportunities, and risks, providing insights to global teams.
• Manage tender events for key products, ensuring effective delivery and value generation.
• Collaborate with Contract Managers and Programme Managers to enhance contract delivery and identify continuous improvement opportunities.
• Mentor and guide to uphold excellence in procurement standards and methodologies.
• Contribute to forward planning by identifying future requirements and implementing robust forecasting to maximize value.

What you’ll need:

• Qualification: MCIPS Qualified or working towards is preferred.
• Practical Experience: Supported the development and delivery of category or sourcing strategies in engineering, infrastructure, and construction sectors, managing multiple end‑to‑end strategic sourcing events compliantly.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Confidently communicates and builds strong relationships with stakeholders at all levels to identify and influence business needs.
• Project Management Skills: Effective in project management, time management, and organizational skills to keep tenders on track and ensure timely contract awards.
• Data Analysis: Capable of collating and organizing data, analysing commercial issues and opportunities during and pre‑tender, providing insights for cost and contract modelling.
• Problem Solving: Navigates complex organisations effectively and demonstrates strong problem‑solving abilities.
• Proactive Attitude: Exhibits a positive attitude and a desire to learn, embodying values of finding better ways, doing the right thing and making things happen.
• Passion for Sustainability: Committed to enabling an affordable net zero and motivated to make a difference.
• Commercial Acumen: High degree of commercial acumen with demonstrable negotiation skills and proven ability to identify opportunities that drive value and realise benefits.

What you’ll get:

A competitive salary between £48,000-£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.

More Information:

This role closes on 15th May 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 may vary. Grain LNG Ltd is unable to offer sponsorship for employment under the UK points‑based immigration system. As such, applicants must have the legal right to work in the UK without requiring sponsorship now or in the future under the UK points‑based immigration system. However, in exceptional circumstances where there is a clear and demonstrable need for specialist skills that cannot be sourced from the local labour market, National Grid may consider offering sponsorship. All applications are welcome from candidates who meet these requirements, regardless of race, nationality, or ethnic origin.