At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead procurement strategies, negotiate contracts, and mentor a dynamic team.
- Company: Join National Grid, a leader in energy management and innovation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career development, and a collaborative work environment.
- Other info: Opportunity for growth in a fast-paced, innovative company.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in procurement while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Bachelor's degree and 7+ years in procurement; strong negotiation and communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 75000 £ per year.
About the Role
Category Lead is a key role at National Grid, working closely with suppliers, stakeholders, and procurement colleagues to run higher level bids, negotiate agreements, and spearhead category strategy development, with a focus on driving savings benefits and driving efficiencies. The individual will work closely with their Category Manager helping direct the team, being a "sounding board", providing feedback during year end employee reviews, attending senior level meetings and meetings in lieu of the manager. They will take on the role of training, mentoring, driving change, having the pulse of the team, working hand in hand with buyers as needed to enhance their skill set, champion initiatives, etc. In essence the lead will be a Role Model to the team and the second to the manager.
As a key member of our procurement group, they deliver innovative thinking supported by detailed analytics, data science, market research, and subject matter expertise, to help our category teams and stakeholders make effective sourcing decisions. They develop and own key supplier and stakeholder relationships and are able to evaluate supplier risks and develop mitigation plans.
Through business partnering the procurement group enhances the relationship and through collaborative efforts bridges the gap of applying critical thinking, helping drive the goals of the company forward, providing Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) and risk mitigation efforts, while further evaluating our supplier base.
What You'll Do
- Category Management: The Category Lead must have the ability to think independently and bring viable solutions to the forefront that are actionable.
- Experience with Developing Category Strategies: Support the buyers, work with Stakeholders to evaluate and establish business needs, apply forward thinking skills to establish flexible long-term category strategies with value options & clear supplier performance criteria, challenge the "norm" while thinking "out of the box" longer term to minimize and mitigate risks.
- Supplier Engagement: Regularly engage with category suppliers to seek feedback, discuss improvement opportunities, and resolve issues, ensuring continuous enhancement of supplier performance and alignment with National Grid's objectives.
- Analytics: Utilize varied and complex data sets to identify gaps and new opportunities to drive benefits through the contracts End to End lifecycle, while implementing analytics as part of the Category Plan.
- Market Research: Conduct industry analysis and evaluate supplier performance, incorporating the research into the Category Strategy and associated contract initiatives/bidding events.
- Procurement/Strategic Sourcing Process (SSP): Lead the execution of critical (high spend/high profile) sourcing initiatives, providing guidance and mentorship to team members, while using tailored procurement strategies to optimize value, mitigate risk, and support business objectives.
- Stakeholder Coordination: Foster strong, collaborative relationships with business units and suppliers, while further understanding the needs and issues that each side faces, driving strategic initiatives to identify continuous improvement opportunities and maximize value for money from awarded contracts.
- Bid Analysis: Support and guide buyers by providing analysis insights, coaching them through development of responses to complex bid requests, pointing out commercial differences, and making succinct recommendations in selecting appropriate suppliers for contract awards.
- Process Management and Improvement: Drive continuous improvement to identify and eliminate waste in the extended E2E Supply Chain. Identify innovative procurement solutions that provide savings benefits and process efficiencies for the organization. Ability to take those ideas and clearly articulate the change solution/improvements to various stakeholders and change board.
- Total Cost of Ownership: Evaluate and apply the concept of total cost of ownership (TCO) and supplier/contract switching costs to support decision making options.
- Commercial Negotiation: Capable of preparing complex negotiation strategies and mentor buyers in the team regarding thought process of laying out their negotiation strategies, with clarity of desired outcomes and conducting complex negotiations successfully under aggressive time demands.
- Understanding Counterparty: Has comprehensive understanding of supplier's position, desired outcomes, and leverage points with the ability to maximize the benefits to the company while maintaining a good working relationship with suppliers.
- Team Building: Collaborating with the manager/director supports and develops team building.
- Mentorship and Training: Exemplify excellence in procurement standards by proactively mentoring and guiding Buyers and Associate Buyers, ensuring the adoption and utilization of best-in-class methodologies across National Grid Procurement. Extend support and expertise beyond the immediate team, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and collaboration within the organization.
What You'll Need
- Bachelor's degree (B.A or B.S) required; in supply chain or business management degree preferred, masters degree, CPSM/APICS a plus.
- 7+ Years experience in a procurement role preferred.
- Experience in the $25 - 50M spend range with contract and framework/multiyear agreements.
- Strategic sourcing, contract negotiations, project planning and vendor management.
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, comfortable communicating with a wide cross-section of the business, including senior management. Able to clearly articulate one’s position and influence others.
- Track record of directing discussions/negotiations, steering agendas, and effectively delivering difficult messages.
- Experience working with various business units and stakeholders to align goals and strategies.
- Effective in influencing stakeholders and communicating progress to senior leadership.
- Experience in decision-making roles that positively impact business performance.
- Excellent computer skills including Advanced Microsoft Excel & PowerPoint.
Additional Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with bidding construction projects is a plus (EPC, EPCM; GMP, Design/Bid/Build, etc.) which includes full depth of knowledge of several models that can be articulated to the business that will help with the understanding of the pros & cons of each further acting as a trusted advisor for the proposed selection of the most appropriate model.
- Prior experience leading a team and/or enrollment in a leadership development program.
- Professional Certification in Supply Chain or Contract Management (I.E. CPSM and APICS).
- Strong working knowledge of ERP systems such as SAP and ARIBA. Also, working knowledge of Power Bi, etc.
Lead Buyer, Category Management in Warwick employer: National Grid
National Grid is an exceptional employer that fosters a collaborative and innovative work culture, particularly for the Lead Buyer role in Category Management. Employees benefit from comprehensive training and mentorship opportunities, enabling personal and professional growth while contributing to impactful procurement strategies. Located in a dynamic environment, National Grid prioritises employee well-being and engagement, making it a rewarding place to build a meaningful career.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Lead Buyer, Category Management in Warwick
✨Get Savvy with Industry Perks
Join procurement and purchasing forums or groups where pros hang out, like CIPS (Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply). They'll share the inside scoop on job openings that might not show up on traditional job boards!
✨Show Off Your Skills
Consider creating a portfolio that outlines your achievements in procurement, like cost-saving initiatives or supplier management strategies. Having tangible evidence of your skills can really set you apart when applying to companies like National Grid.
✨Tap into Your Network
Leverage LinkedIn to connect with professionals in procurement—follow relevant hashtags, join groups, and engage in discussions. This is a great way to get noticed by potential employers before they even post a job!
✨Keep Your Eyes on Job Boards
With full-time positions, timing can be everything. Set alerts on job boards specifically for procurement roles. Don't wait for a job posting to close; apply through our website as soon as you see a fit—being proactive can give you the edge!
We think you need these skills to ace Lead Buyer, Category Management in Warwick
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Procurement Know-How:When you're crafting your CV, make sure to highlight any procurement-specific skills you've got. Talk about your experience with supplier negotiations, cost analysis, or inventory management. If you’ve used software like SAP or Oracle, don’t forget to mention that too – it shows you know your way around the tech side of things!
Quantify Your Achievements:In procurement, numbers matter. Use your CV and cover letter to showcase any quantifiable achievements you've made in reducing costs or improving efficiencies. For example, mentioning that you helped save 20% on purchasing costs last year is way more impressive than just saying you managed the budget!
Tailor Your Cover Letter to National Grid:Your cover letter should read like you’re chatting directly to National Grid. Research the company’s procurement strategy, mention how your skills align with their goals, and share your enthusiasm for contributing to their success. This personal touch can really set you apart from the crowd!
Professional Certs Can Go a Long Way:If you've got any procurement-related certifications, such as CIPS or APICS, make sure they're front and centre on your CV. These qualifications show you're serious about your career in procurement and are committed to continuous learning. It’s a great way to signal your expertise and dedication to potential employers like National Grid.
How to prepare for a job interview at National Grid
✨Show Off Your Negotiation Skills
In procurement, strong negotiation skills are key. Be ready to share examples of past negotiations where you've successfully saved costs or improved supplier terms. We want to hear how you approached those situations and the strategies you used to achieve positive outcomes!
✨Know Your Tools
Make sure you’re familiar with procurement software and tools commonly used in the industry, such as SAP Ariba or Coupa. Come prepared to discuss any experiences you've had with these tools or similar platforms, as we need someone who can hit the ground running at National Grid!
✨Understand Market Trends
As a procurement professional, being aware of market trends can set you apart. Brush up on recent developments in supply chain management or procurement best practices and think about how they could impact your role at National Grid. Bringing a current perspective will show your enthusiasm for the industry.
✨Demonstrate Your Team Player Attitude
A full-time position means you'll be working closely with various teams. Be prepared to discuss how you collaborate with others, manage conflicts, and build relationships with stakeholders. Sharing anecdotes about past teamwork experiences will highlight your ability to fit into National Grid's culture.
