Buyer, Category Management

natgridProd • Waltham, MA

9d • $73,000 - $96,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

The Buyer role at National Grid, works with suppliers, stakeholders, and procurement colleagues to run bids, negotiate agreements, and participate in category strategy development, further assisting senior and lead buyers on the team. Participate in and develop supplier and stakeholder relationships and able to evaluate supplier risks and develop mitigation plans. Through business partnering the procurement group enhances the relationship and through collaborative efforts bridges the gap of applying critical thinking, helping drive the goals of the company forward, providing Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) and risk mitigation efforts, while further evaluating our supplier base.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree (B.A or B.S) required; in supply chain or business management degree preferred
• 3+ Years experience in a procurement role
• $3 – 5M spend range with contract and framework/multiyear agreements
• Basic experience in strategic sourcing, contract negotiations and vendor management a plus, as is working knowledge of ERP systems such as SAP and ARIBA. Also, working knowledge of Power Bi, etc.
• Analytical mindset, with a proficiency in Excel (vlookup functions, pivot tables, basic modeling, data cleansing)
• Ability to create clear, concise visuals and reports to translate data into insights for stakeholders, with strong attention to detail with the ability to validate, reconcile, and troubleshoot data issues
• Ability to communicate analytical findings in a clear, business-friendly manner
• The candidate must have strong interpersonal skills, specifically in communications across a multi-national and matrixed organization.
• Candidate should be proficient in planning, project management, stakeholder engagement, and business analysis
• Ability to clearly articulate one’s position and be able to influence others
• An equivalent combination of education and extensive subject matter expertise along with procurement process experience may be accepted as a satisfactory substitute for the specific education requirements listed above

Nice To Haves

• masters degree
• CPSM/APICS certifications a plus

Responsibilities

• Engage with suppliers to seek feedback, discuss improvement opportunities, resolve issues (while understanding when it is necessary to elevate these issues to the next tier of management to aid in resolving), be abreast of supplier performance and alignment with National Grid's objectives.
• Utilize varied data sets to identify gaps and new opportunities to drive benefits through the contracts End to End lifecycle, while implementing analytics as part of the Category Plan.
• Conduct industry analysis and evaluate supplier performance, incorporating the research into the Category Strategy and associated contract initiatives/bidding events.
• Leads the execution of multiple sourcing initiatives using tailored procurement strategies to optimize value, mitigate risk, and support business objectives.
• Develops and maintains relationships with business units and suppliers, while further understanding the needs and issues that each side faces. At times acting as the interface/bridge between both parties.
• Analyzes responses to bid requests, points out commercial differences, and makes recommendations in selecting appropriate suppliers for contract awards.
• Evaluate and apply the concept of total cost of ownership (TCO) and supplier/ contract switching costs to support decision making options.
• Capable of preparing negotiation strategies with clarity of desired outcomes and conducting complex negotiations successfully under aggressive time demands.
• Has comprehensive understanding of supplier's position, desired outcomes, and leverage points with the ability to maximize the benefits to the company while maintaining a good working relationship with suppliers.
• Work with senior buyers and contract management to evaluate and build appropriate supplier performance measurements (KPls) into contractual frameworks.
• Prepare and maintain weekly/monthly category dashboards tracking spend, savings, supplier performance, and pipeline activity.
• Analyze spend data to identify opportunities for consolidation, compliance improvements, or cost reduction.
• Support development of category strategies by conducting market analysis, benchmarking, and supplier‑level analytics.
• Build and refine reports that track contract expirations, sourcing events, demand forecasts, and risk indicators.
• Extract, clean, and interpret data from procurement systems (e.g., SAP, Ariba, Coupa, Oracle, Power BI) to support decision‑making.
• Conduct variance analysis to explain changes in spend or performance versus budget, forecast, or prior periods.
• Track benefits, savings, cost avoidance, and value delivery using standardized reporting templates.
• Demonstrates a collaborative approach with supply base and develops integrated plans to drive appropriate value for business and customer requirements.

Benefits

• 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.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level