Senior Category Buyer

At National Grid, our commitment to a cleaner, greener energy future is powered by the dedication and ingenuity of our people. Join our team as a Senior Category Buyer and be a part of something bigger—where your unique skills and passions can make a real difference. Together, we are superpowered.

As a Senior Category Buyer in the Facilities Management UK team, you will be accountable for delivering high‑quality, outcomes‑focused strategic procurement activity across your aligned business area(s). The role requires consistent production of robust, well‑evidenced and professionally presented deliverables that meet a high standard and stand up to internal and external scrutiny.

You will work in close partnership with the Category Manager to support the development and execution of Category strategies and the end‑to‑end delivery of regulated procurement exercises in line with PA23 and UCR2016. This includes taking ownership of complex tender documentation, evaluation activity and recommendations, ensuring clarity, compliance and value for money throughout.

The role demands strong stakeholder engagement and relationship building across the business, within Procurement, and across the external supply market. You will proactively identify business needs, develop a deep understanding of relevant supply chains, and translate this insight into clear, high quality procurement solutions that deliver optimal outcomes for National Grid.

Success in this role will be demonstrated through the timely delivery of detailed, accurate and commercially sound outputs that support informed decision making and enable the effective delivery of category and business objectives.

This role is based out of our Warwick office, with hybrid working. We’re happy to discuss any additional flexibility in working patterns or requirements that you feel could help to make this job work for you!

What You’ll Do

• Deliver multiple strategic sourcing events within portfolio, working with stakeholders to understand and challenge demand and ensure the best possible solutions for National Grid.
• Input into the development and execution of sourcing strategy for allocated category and execute standardised strategic sourcing processes from market engagement through to award, ensuring goods / services are procured in a best‑in‑class manner that drives value.
• Work with Contract Managers or Procurement Programme Managers to ensure the successful delivery of contracted activities, identifying continuous improvement opportunities through engagement with suppliers and stakeholders, and maximizing value for money from contracts awarded.
• Support the overall development and delivery of assigned category strategy and share best practice across other category teams.
• 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.
• 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.
• Contribute to an effective forward planning process by identifying future requirements of supported areas and ensure robust forecasting is put in place that maximises value of goods / services procured.
• Scope and develop regional contractual agreements that meet the customer stakeholder requirements and expectations.

What You’ll Have

• CIPS Level 4 and 5 and/or working towards Level 6 MCIPS qualification, with significant experience of strategic sourcing and category management.
• Experience in delivery of Indirect and Professional Services across categories of Facilities Management, Physical Security, Utilities Supply, Commercial Waste and Environmental Incident Responses would be highly desirable.
• 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 and demonstrating value leavers.
• Ability to build and manage complex commercial assessment models.
• Experience of contract development, including the ability to make recommendations for successful contract management and amendments to existing contracts as well as drafting new ones.
• An understanding of regulatory environment and regulated procurement is desirable.

What You’ll Get

Up to £58,000 - 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 several flexible benefits such as a share incentive plan, salary sacrifice car and technology schemes, support via employee assistance lines and matched charity giving to name a few.

More Information

This role closes on 29 April 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 can vary.

About Us

National Grid is pioneering ways to decarbonise the energy system; from building interconnectors to allow the UK to share clean energy with our neighbours in Europe, to investing in renewable energy generation in the United States.

We value diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive workplace for all. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates— we make appointments purely on merit, assessed against objective selection criteria. We support flexible working and will make reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process should you have any physical or mental impairment which may affect your ability to participate in the process.

Please note that in most cases, National Grid 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. 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.