About Us

Here 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 organisation, 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.

About the Role

An exciting opportunity has arisen for x3 Heads of Programme Procurement to join our team on a Full Time, Permanent basis!

There are x3 roles available:

Head of Major Offshore Programmes & Procurement Business Partner – Strategic Infrastructure
Reporting into the VP Procurement for Electricity Transmission and Strategic Infrastructure this role is accountable for a suite of dedicated multi-million categories which includes end to end ownership of strategy, market insights and risk management, strategic souring through to contract management, specifically supporting Major Offshore Programmes. This role will have 4 Direct Reports and 8 indirect reports.

Head of Programme Procurement – Electricity Transmission
The role, reporting into the VP Procurement for Electricity Transmission and Strategic Infrastructure, will be responsible for developing and executing the commercial and procurement strategies for major programmes in the Electricity Transmission Business Unit (BU). You will have 4 direct reports and 11 indirect reports.

Head of Major Projects – Electricity Distribution
The role, reporting into the VP Procurement for Electricity Distribution, will be responsible for developing and executing the commercial and procurement strategies for major programmes in the Electricity Distribution BU. You will have 3 direct reports and 13 indirect reports.

As part of your application, please specify which role is of interest.

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. 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 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

Responsibilities will include co-ordinating across the relevant Procurement teams including category managers, supply chain risk teams, strategic supplier leads, market supplier development to ensure they can provide key stakeholder (SU) updates, insight and recommendations as required.

• Define overall program/project delivery model – incl. commercial construct, go-to-market approach.
• Collaborate with relevant business partner or directly with stakeholder counterparts to understand workbook, identify scope of support required, and frontload preparation.
• Provide relevant inputs into program/project sanctioning with internal and external stakeholders.
• Lead E2E co-development of BU/function supply chain plan and their delivery (incl. tracking progress)
• Co-define sourcing strategy with relevant category leads and, where necessary, provide input to vendor selection and contracting.
• Drive successful program/project execution – incl. supplier coordination, claims mgmt. etc.
• Ensure procurement activities are executed within the allocated budget maintaining clear financial oversight.
• Proactively assess, and mitigate procurement-related risks (e.g., supply chain risks, cost escalations, project delivery risks) – regularly communicate to relevant stakeholders.
• Maintain close working relationships with category leads and business partners – foster "one team" mentality in approach to large programs/projects.
• Lead Strategic Supplier Engagement for BU/function-specific suppliers – with support from Suppler Engagement
• Lead a highly motivated, innovative and value-focused team, developing talent and a performance management culture that drives value through employee engagement which successfully meets or exceeds all strategic objectives for the area.

What You'll Have

• Previous experience of end-to-end procurement or broad supply chain program management or project development
• Ability to communicate dynamically at all levels within National Grid and externally to senior leaders within supplier organisations (including C level executives)
• Previous experience of building high performing teams
• Good understanding of broader business objectives
• Proven level of negotiation and dispute resolution skill set.
• Experience with cross-functional collaborative working methods.
• Demonstrable level of problem-solving experience and in large, complex organisations
• Degree level / relevant professional qualification such as CIPS or equivalent experience

What You'll Get

A competitive salary of £68k - £85k per annum dependent on capability and experience.

• Annual performance bonus of up to 20%of your eligible earnings in the performance year
• Access to private medical insurance for you and your family
• A generous pension scheme - we double match your contribution up to 18%.
• 28 days, plus 8 statutory days plus the option to buy extra holidays
• Life insurance – 10 x annual salary
• Flexible benefits (National Grid Share Incentive Plan, Salary Sacrifice car and technology schemes, support via employee assistance lines and matched charity plus many more)
• Ongoing career development and support - Financial support to help cover the cost of professional membership subscriptions and time off for study leave – so long as it’s relevant to your role.
• Access to a range of further benefits covering wellbeing, family care, charity involvement.
• A full electric company car or cash alternative

More Information

• This 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. Base location for this role will be National Grid House in Warwick.
• It is anticipated that some international business travel may be required as part of this role

This role closes on Wednesday 21st August 2024 however we strongly encourage candidates to submit their application as early as possible. Applications will be actively reviewed and processed prior to the deadline.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

National 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.