Lead Contract Manager, Procurement

At National Grid we are committed to delivering safe and reliable energy to the customers and communities we serve. We are one of the largest investor-owned energy companies in the world. We are proud of the contributions our work and our people make to the prosperity and wellbeing of our customers, communities and investors.

We are currently looking for highly motivated individuals who want to join a dynamic and fast paced organization going through a major transformation. If you are someone who's looking to bring innovation, contribute ideas and play a part in renewing the contract management organization we want to hear from you!

The Lead Procurement & Contracts Specialist defines and reinforces the value enhancing contractual partnering arrangements for National Grid. Leading on negotiations to maximize National Grid's commercial advantage and ensuring suppliers perform to the contractual agreements. Supporting the development and implementation of appropriate commercial strategies, playing a central role in eliminating preventable value loss, delivering "in life" contract management savings and ensuring contract delivery for key stakeholders. Experience should include; supplier relationship management, commercial negotiations, systems and analytics, market supplier development and a clear, working knowledge of current industry trends. This role will be supporting Energy Efficiency in IT and Indirects.

• Provide guidance and support to the contract managers and associate contract managers
• Development, definition and reinforcement of value enhancing contractual partnering arrangements.
• Works with internal and external stakeholders to execute all contracts through conception to completion. Assessing contract risks and executing mitigation plans ensuring opportunities to drive value are leveraged and that risks are identified and mitigated.
• Provide the commercial lead on supplier contract, providing commercial leadership and expertise across a range of contracts as required to maximize the efficiency and value of contracts.
• Perform cost analysis reviews, identifying and monitoring cost saving opportunities across both the direct and indirect cost base driving internal and external cost reductions.
• Manage the policies and processes for compliance and audit; ensuring delivery by suppliers and internal stakeholders of the policies and procedures
• Proactively identify, build and maintain strong strategic partnerships with suppliers in order to understand and influence external opinion and maintain a strong reputation for National Grid.
• Partner with and coach suppliers to encourage new entrants to the market to ensure availability of equipment of an appropriate standard, cost basis and quality to meet demand.
• Implementation of a Supplier/Contractor Performance and Monitoring process, reporting on contract performance and escalating where needed.

• Breadth and depth of contract management knowledge, including understanding key commercial, regulatory and economic drivers for driving greater value from contractual arrangements
• Ability to analyze KPIs and contract data, to manage contract performance and support commercial decision making and summarize key messages for a senior audience
• Strong track record of building external relationships to drive and deliver commercial value and to improve supplier performance
• Track record of building and enhancing business relationships with key internal stakeholders
• Knowledge and use of cost modelling tools, techniques and principles.
• Developing and managing assurance processes in a commercial environment, ensuring that risks are appropriately mitigated.
• Experience in both decision making in commercial and/or technical roles that have positively impacted on business performance.
• Experience in evaluating supplier capabilities to meet business requirements.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills. Comfortable communicating with impact to a wide cross section of the business including senior management.
• Directing/Leading discussions/negotiations, steering agendas, challenging the status quo and effectively delivering difficult messages to parties inside and outside National Grid.
• Bachelor's degree (B.A or B.S) required; in supply chain, finance or business preferred. MBA, MS preferred.
• Required 5+ years' experience in contract negotiations and contract management. Strong working knowledge of SAP, Ariba & P2P systems preferred.
• Successful completion of professional negotiation coursework preferred
• An equivalent combination of education and extensive subject matter expertise along with contract management experience may be accepted as a satisfactory substitute for the specific education requirements listed above.
• The candidate must have strong interpersonal skills, specifically in communications across a multi-national organization. Additionally, the candidate should be proficient in planning, collaboration, and analysis.
  

#LI-NK1 #LI-HYBRID #LI-CONTRACT MANAGEMENT #LI-COST MODELLING #LI-PROCUREMENT