About the role

National Energy System Operator (NESO) recognises the potential of bright and talented individuals, and we encourage you to join us as Great Britain’s energy system undergoes an ambitious, exciting, and vital transformation. Together with industry, we are creating a cleaner, more sustainable energy future.

The Head of Centre of Excellence within the Procurement Function will lead the development and implementation of best practices, processes, and strategies to enhance procurement efficiency and effectiveness across the organisation. This role is critical in driving innovation, ensuring compliance with public sector regulations, and delivering value for money.

The individual will design and contribute to the development of a best-in-class Procurement service for the NESO. The role requires keeping the procurement team informed of the latest trends, tools, and research. The Procurement COE Manager will be responsible for managing the team's procurement metrics and reporting across the function.

This role can be based in Warwick or Wokingham, and we continue to offer hybrid working from office and home.

Key accountabilities

• Developing and implementing the strategic vision for the Centre of Excellence to support the organisation's procurement objectives.
• Leading and managing a team of procurement specialists to foster a culture of continuous improvement and innovation.
• Identifying, developing, and promoting best practices in procurement processes and policies.
• Ensuring the implementation of efficient procurement processes and tools to optimise value and minimise risks.
• Building and maintaining strong relationships with the category, sourcing, and legal teams. Facilitate collaboration with other internal and external stakeholders.
• Acting as a trusted advisor to senior management on procurement-related matters.
• Ensuring procurement activities comply with UK public sector regulations and policies
• Developing and implementing risk management strategies to mitigate procurement risks.
• Ensuring compliance with policies, investigate policy breaches, review changes, and support the Head of Procurement and Property with updates to procurement policies as required.
• Ensuring compliance with and reporting on Sustainability, Net Zero, and Responsible Business measures and interventions.
• Ensuring compliance with relevant laws and regulations, including Procurement Act 23, Competition Law, Fraud & Bribery, Modern Slavery, Conflict Minerals, Real Living Wage in Supply Chain, etc.
• Training and Development:
• Designing and delivering training programmes to enhance organisational procurement competencies.
• Promoting knowledge sharing and best practices within the procurement community.
• Establishing key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure the effectiveness and efficiency of procurement activities.
• Proactively reviewing and reporting procurement performance data, identify issues, and mitigate risk/risks. Establish and maintain the metrics and mechanisms to monitor and measure performance and success.
  

About you

We’re forging the path, and we know we can’t do it alone. That’s why we need visionary minds like yours to join us on this transformative journey. In this case, we’re looking for someone who:

• Proven experience in a senior procurement role, ideally within the public sector.
• Strong understanding of UK public sector procurement regulations and best practices.
• Relevant professional qualifications (e.g., CIPS) are desirable
• Highly motivated and results oriented with strong ethical standards and integrity.
• Strong analytical, strategic planning, and problem-solving abilities.
• The ability to work collaboratively across diverse teams.
• An innovative thinker with a proactive approach to problem-solving.
• In-depth understanding of the procurement platform solutions and expert-level experience (prior experience with Ivalua would be an advantage).
• An understanding of best-practice procurement policies, processes, and systems gained from developing dashboards and KPIs across the function.
• Demonstrated experience in leading change and driving process improvements.
• Excellent leadership and team management skills.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.

About what you'll get

A competitive salary between £78,000 - £90,000pa– dependent on capability.

As well as your base salary, you will receive a car allowance, a bonus of up to 20% of your salary for stretch performance, private medical insurance, 28 days annual leave as standard and a competitive contributory pension scheme where we will double match your contribution to a maximum company contribution of 12%.

You will also have access to a comprehensive benefits package tailored to support your well-being and professional success. From a competitive salary to flexible work arrangements, we promote your work-life balance. Enjoy fit for purpose wellbeing and lifestyle offerings, ongoing skill development aligned to our Purpose and Values and be part of a supportive community that values your individuality and where you can belong.

About us

The creation of National Energy System Operator (NESO) is driven by an urgent need to unify and optimise our approach to energy. A more integrated and coordinated strategy is needed to meet the unprecedented challenges of climate change, ensuring secure energy supply, and keeping costs manageable for consumers.

Join us and empower your potential, energise our team, and be part of something bigger.

Your energy, our future, together.

About the National Energy System Operator (NESO)

In Autumn of 2024, the ESO transitioned to National Energy System Operator, or NESO for short. Previously denoted as the Future System Operator (or FSO), the new National Energy System Operator is the independent body responsible for planning Great Britain’s electricity and gas networks and operating the electricity system.

NESO, including all of its existing roles, are now at the heart of the new National Energy System Operator. As NESO, we will build on our existing roles, capabilities, and ways of working significantly to create an organisation the energy system and its users’ need. Our new capabilities will enable us to look across vectors, including electricity, natural gas and hydrogen, and crucially consider the trade-offs between them.

The organisation is set up as a public corporation with its own Board of independent directors, with complete operational independence from government, the regulator and any and all commercial interest. As was the ESO, NESO will be licenced and regulated by Ofgem through price control agreements and obligated to identify optimal solutions to system operations and planning in the most sustainable, affordable and secure way for all.

The time to deliver is now. As part of our team, you won’t just be touching the lives of almost everyone in Great Britain – you’ll be shaping the way we use and consume energy for generations to come.

More information

This role closes on 18/04/2025 at 23:59, however we encourage candidates to submit their application as early as possible and not wait until the published closing date as this can vary.

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.

We're committed to building a workforce that represents the communities we serve, and a working environment in which each individual feels valued, respected, fairly treated, and able to reach their full potential.

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