Buyer, Category Management

About the Role An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Buyer to join our team on a Full Time, Permanent basis with a Hybrid work schedule! This is a global role working with international suppliers. This opportunity is based at our Hicksville, Long Island NY offices. The Category Buyer is responsible for strategic procurement operations within the aligned business area. The role will partner the Category Manager in delivery of Category strategies, working with the NG business units to share supply chain insight and recommendations, award contracts from leading strategic sourcing events, lead commercial negotiations, draft contracts through to engaging and managing suppliers. This Category Buyer role is accountable for high value, business critical goods and services, engaging at senior levels of the organization to ensure delivery of business priorities. We are recruiting for this role in Direct Category Management. National Grid is leading the charge towards a Net Zero future in the UK and NE of USA. We recognize that decarbonizing our electric and gas systems will require resolving many questions and seeking new partnerships, technologies and transformative investments. Over the next 5 years, we will be investing over 60bn across our UK and US businesses - nearly double the investment over the past 5 years. This is an exciting time for our industry that is creating significant opportunities for National Grid; this is not just a moment in time; it's a game‑changing era that will shape National Grid's success for decades to come. Working to procure equipment and services such as transformers, steel structures, switchgear, cable, civils, or vegetation management (and many others) in support of National Grid Business Units. The variety of roles available include roles within our UK and US business units, as well as roles that procure on behalf of the NG Group. Given this backdrop, our supply chains are facing an unprecedented set of challenges and are at the forefront of our plans, placing National Grid Procurement at the center of our Net Zero goals. We have set out an ambitious transformation plan, focused on becoming a client of choice for our supply partners whilst ensuring outstanding outcomes for our Business Units (BUs). Our strategy revolves around significant changes in three core areas: Partnering: We are forging closer ties with our supply chain, aligning ourselves more closely with each NG Group Business Unit (BU). Scale: We are leveraging the immense scale of our group to unlock even greater potential. By harnessing our collective strength, we can achieve remarkable things. Operational Transformation: We are revolutionizing the way we work as a team. Embracing new approaches and technologies, we are streamlining processes and making the day‑to‑day job simpler and more efficient. What You’ll Do This role will engage and build strong working relationships with stakeholders across the business, within procurement, and externally, to develop commercial strategies, source and contract the goods and services required to meet the business needs. Accountable for the development of category strategies, commercial recommendations and execution of sourcing strategy. You will for allocated category and 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. Deliver multiple strategic sourcing events within your portfolio, working with stakeholders to understand and challenge demand and ensure the best possible commercial solutions for National Grid. Support the overall development and delivery of assigned category strategy and share best practice across other category teams. 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. Work with Contract Managers and/or Procurement Program Managers to ensure the successful delivery of contracted activities, identifying continuous improvement category opportunities through engagement with suppliers and stakeholders, and maximizing value for money from contracts awarded. 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. Contribute to an effective forward planning process by identifying future requirements of supported areas and ensure robust forecasting is put in place that maximizes value of goods / services procured. What You’ll Need Degree or equivalent experience Significant experience of strategic sourcing and category management Highly proficient in Excel, Powerpoint, MS office applications 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. Ability to travel to multiple locations across Long Island as needed. Ability to build and manage complex commercial assessment models. Experience of contract development, including the ability to make recommendations and amendments to existing contracts as well as drafting new ones. Annual Salary $95,000-$110,000 More Information 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. 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. This position has a career path which provides for advancement opportunities within and across bands as you develop and evolve in the position; gaining experience, expertise and acquiring and applying technical skills. Candidates will be assessed and provided offers against the minimum qualifications of this role and their individual experience. 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 National Grid