Associate Buyer, Category Management

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.

National Grid has embarked on ambitious capital projects and construction program designed to build the infrastructure to enable our renewable electric future. Projects include upgrades to transmission lines, substations and distribution network infrastructure that will support renewable energy and reliability initiatives and other programs.

National Grid has a focus on providing electricity and gas to millions of its existing customers, by continuously updating its infrastructure to provide the most safe and reliable system.

Reporting into a Category Manager (Band D), the Associate Category Buyer is part of the team responsible for strategic procurement operations within the aligned business area(s). The role will assist Senior Category Buyers and Category Managers in delivery of Category strategies.

The Associate Category Buyer is accountable for the support of multiple strategic sourcing activities within their portfolio, working with the Senior Category Buyer and Category Manager to understand and challenge demand, set sourcing strategy, and deliver events from market engagement through to award. The Associate Category Buyer will own several sourcing events which they manage from start to finish. The Associate Category Buyer will also be responsible for reviewing and executing different types of contractual documents

• Support and manage multiple strategic sourcing activities within portfolio, working with Senior Category Buyers, Category Managers and with stakeholders to understand and challenge demand and ensure the best possible solutions for National Grid. This includes gathering quotes, comparing costs, and validating vendor proposals.
• Support Senior Category Buyers and Category Manager in developing category characteristics, researching supply markets, suppliers and assessing trends, opportunities and risks. Feedback insights to Category Managers and Senior Buyers to drive the continuous improvement of category strategy and procurement performance.
• Execute standardized strategic sourcing processes from market engagement through to award, ensuring goods / services are procured in a best-in-class manner that drives value.
• Review and issue purchase orders to ensure accurate quantities, pricing, and delivery timelines.
• Onboard suppliers, gather required documentation, initiate requests in onboarding system, and assist tactical procurement in completion of onboarding as needed.
• Work with Strategic Supplier Management to hand over any new contracts, ensure relevant KPI's and delivery metrics are clearly articulated.
• 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.
• Work with multiple different stakeholder groups to ensure all required approvals and reviews are complete.

• Experience of strategic sourcing and category management.
• An understanding of legal documentation and ability to assemble contract packages for execution.
• An understanding of project management principles and ideally evidence of managing multiple projects and consistently delivering outstanding results.
• Basic sourcing concepts (RFQs, cost comparisons, vendor selection criteria).
• Lead times and their impact on availability.
• Cost components (cost, margin, markup, freight, landed cost).
• Basic Excel functions, ability to analyze data and display for presentation