Associate Category Buyer

About usHere at National Grid, we connect homes and businesses to power, making sure supply and demand match each other. We make sure the lights are on in schools, operating theatres, and sporting arenas; we’re thousands of people working on behalf of millions of people. And whatever your role, wherever you work with us, you’ll help us hit stretching targets and achieve our far-reaching goal: to secure, clean energy that supports our world far into the future. Here, you will be at the heart of energy. At National Grid, we work towards the highest standards in everything we do, including how we support, value, and develop our people. Our aim is to encourage and support employees to thrive and be the best they can be. We celebrate the difference people can bring into our organization, and welcome and encourage applicants with diverse experiences and backgrounds, and offer flexible and tailored support, at home and in the office. Our function covers a diverse range of categories from Indirect, IT & Digital, Network Operations (Maintenance & Repair), Gas equipment and Services to large scale Construction and Network Equipment, with a clear mission: to enable a clean, fair, and affordable energy future through commercial, responsible and innovative supply chain leadership. The OpportunityAn exciting opportunity has arisen for an Associate Category Buyer to join our team on a Full-Time basis!Reporting into a Category Manager, the Associate Buyer is part of the team responsible for strategic procurement operations within the aligned business area. The role will assist Senior Buyers and Category Managers in delivery of Category strategies. This role will support Direct Category Management such as steel structures, switchgear, HVDC Cable converters or vegetation management (and many others).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.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 centre 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 DoThe Associate Category Buyer is accountable for the support of multiple strategic sourcing events within their portfolio, working with the Senior Category Buyer and Category Manager to understand and challenge demand, set sourcing strategy and delivering events from market engagement through to award. They will own a number of sourcing events which they manage from start to finish.Support multiple strategic sourcing events 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.Support Senior Category Buyers and Category Manager in developing category characteristics, researching supply markets, suppliers and assessing trends, opportunities and risks. Feedback insights 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.• Work with Contract Managers to ensure the successful delivery of contracted activities, identifying continuous improvement opportunities through engagement with suppliers and stakeholders, and maximizing value for money from contracts awarded.• Delivering value by effectively managing tender events for key products required by the business.• 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.• Scope and develops regional contractual agreements that meet the customer stakeholder requirements and expectations.Requirements• To be successful in this role you will use skills such as critical & creative thinking, a collaborative approach, a process focused approach, confidence, resilience and excellent communication.• Strong customer service and relationship building and interpersonal skills, ability to interact credibly and genuinely with stakeholders to enhancing user experience.• Manage different activities concurrently and meet deadlines.• Experience in collating and organize data, analyze commercial issues and bring insight to the detail including developing KPIs.• Proficient in Excel, PowerPoint, data visualization, and database tools.Your RewardsRewarding work and a collaborative, team-oriented culture is just the beginning. Review our digital benefit guide at ngbenefitslivebrighter.com for full details and descriptions.Additional InformationThis role is offered on a Full-Time, Permanent basis.We are also offering hybrid / flexible working where travel to the office will be as per business need.This role can be located: Waltham, MAWaltham: $63,000- $74,000 a yearThis role closes on 9/2/24. However, we strongly encourage candidates to submit their application as early as possible, as applications will be actively reviewed and processed prior to the deadline.Diversity, Equity & InclusionNational Grid is an equal opportunity employer that values a broad diversity of talent, knowledge, experience and expertise. We foster a culture of inclusion that drives employee engagement to deliver superior performance to the communities we serve. National Grid is proud to be an affirmative action employer. We encourage minorities, women, individuals with disabilities and protected veterans to join the National Grid team.