Manager, Category Management

About us At National Grid, we keep people connected and society moving. But it's so much more than that. National Grid provides the environment for our teams to thrive and make a real impact. As we drive momentum in the energy transition for all, we are committed to ensuring that every employee feels empowered and engaged. About the role In this hybrid role, reporting into the Head of Category & Procurement Business Partner for FM & Support Services, the US MRO, Logistics & Investment Recovery Category Manager is accountable for developing and implementing category strategies and managing sourcing delivery across a US and UK portfolio. The portfolio includes Maintenance, Repair and Operations (MRO), Logistics and Investment Recovery. Illustrative MRO categories include PPE, tools, equipment, workwear, industrial gases and catalog management. Illustrative Logistics categories include warehousing, freight, parcels and international logistics services. Investment Recovery includes the responsible resale, reuse, recycling or other recovery of value from surplus and end-of-life materials and assets. The role is based in the US and leads a team operating across both regions. It provides commercial direction and assurance, builds a collaborative cross-regional team, and works with operational stakeholders and strategic suppliers to improve value, service, resilience, compliance and sustainability. What You'll Do Own the development, approval, implementation and refresh of category strategies across the assigned US and UK MRO, Logistics and Investment Recovery portfolio. Build category plans that reflect regional requirements while identifying opportunities for cross-regional aggregation, standardization, contract consolidation and transfer of best practice. Define category scope, demand profiles, supply-market dynamics, commercial opportunities, risks and implementation roadmaps using robust spend, market and supplier intelligence. For MRO, lead strategies that improve spend visibility, rationalize specifications and ranges, consolidate fragmented contracts and suppliers, and strengthen compliant buying channels and catalog management. For Logistics, lead strategies across warehousing, freight, parcels and international logistics, supporting effective end-to-end delivery models, service continuity and operational performance. For Investment Recovery, establish commercially and environmentally responsible routes to maximize recovery value from surplus, scrap and end-of-life equipment and materials. Translate category strategies into prioritized, resourced sourcing and contract-management plans with clear outcomes, milestones, governance and ownership. Lead the sourcing delivery portfolio, ensuring activity is appropriately prioritized, resourced and delivered in accordance with relevant US and UK governance, policies and regulatory requirements. Provide direction and assurance across sourcing strategy, market engagement, tendering, evaluation, negotiation, approval, contracting and award. Review and assure key sourcing outputs, including specifications, evaluation methods, commercial models, contractual positions and recommendations. Manage dependencies, risks, issues and stakeholder decisions across regions, intervening and escalating where required to protect outcomes and timescales. Ensure effective handover into mobilization and contract management, with clear obligations, performance measures, governance and value-realization plans. Lead strategic supplier relationships to improve performance, resilience, innovation, continuous improvement and responsible supply-chain outcomes. Lead, motivate and develop a geographically dispersed team across the US and UK, establishing clear accountability, connected ways of working and strong delivery discipline. Own recruitment and onboarding for team vacancies, and provide regular coaching, feedback, capability development and succession support. Act as a senior Procurement partner to operational and business stakeholders across both regions, providing clear commercial insight, recommendations and delivery updates. What You'll Need Significant procurement experience with a strong record of developing and implementing category strategies and leading complex sourcing portfolios. Demonstrable category management experience across MRO, Logistics, Investment Recovery, operational products, warehousing, freight or comparable supply-chain categories. Understanding of MRO supply markets, including tools, equipment, PPE, workwear, industrial gases, catalogs, tail spend and supplier or contract consolidation. Understanding of logistics operating models and commercial arrangements across warehousing, transportation, freight, parcels and international movements. Understanding of Investment Recovery principles, including value recovery, resale, reuse, recycling, responsible disposal and associated control requirements. Experience of leading and developing geographically dispersed or cross-regional teams, including recruitment, onboarding, coaching and capability development. Strong program and portfolio-management capability, with experience managing multiple sourcing activities, dependencies and governance requirements. Commercial expertise across sourcing strategy, tender design, evaluation, negotiation, contracting, supplier performance and value realization. Strong analytical capability, able to translate spend, demand, item, market and supplier data into category choices and actionable recommendations. Ability to identify and manage supply-chain, service continuity, commercial, compliance, operational and delivery risks across US and UK contexts. Confident senior-stakeholder management and influencing skills, with the ability to challenge constructively and secure decisions. Ability to operate effectively across time zones and organizational boundaries, coordinating Legal, Finance, business stakeholders and specialist Procurement teams. Degree level, relevant professional qualification such as CIPS or equivalent experience. Relevant US procurement or supply-management accreditation is advantageous. More Information #LI-NK1 #LI-4PL #LI-Logistics #LI-contracts #LI-HYBRID Annual Salary: Waltham and surrounding areas: $147,000-$172,000 Syracuse and surrounding areas: $147,000-$153,000 Brooklyn and Long Island: $157,000-$184,000 National Grid will not be providing visa sponsorship for this position now or in the future. You must have the ability to work without a need for current or future visa sponsorship. Candidates will be assessed and provided offers based on major, degree type, and class year. Our Gridtern Program does not offer relocation, housing assistance, or public transportation reimbursement for Gridterns; however, we can provide a list of resources to utilize in making your arrangements. Please note that as a Gridtern, you must reside within our existing footprint, which includes Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, New Hampshire, Maine, Rhode Island, and Vermont. You must also reside within a reasonable, commutable distance to your assigned primary office. Applications close on October 28, 2026. National Grid utilizes an assessment that evaluates the job qualifications/characteristics using AI or statistically based scoring. For more information, please view NYC Local Law 144. National Grid is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment regardless of protected class. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, or any other protected status in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws. National Grid maintains affirmative action programs for individuals with disabilities and protected veterans. Our employment practices are designed to ensure that all individuals are treated fairly and with respect throughout the hiring process and during employment. National Grid complies with all applicable federal, state, and local anti-discrimination laws. We are dedicated to fostering a workplace that is free from unlawful discrimination and harassment, and we encourage a culture of respect for all. #J-18808-Ljbffr