Graduate Buyer (Procurement) Warwick 2024

National Grid is at the heart of the energy future, and our people are at the heart of National Grid.

We’re 30,000 colleagues strong. In the UK, National Grid don’t generate or sell energy – we join the dots to get energy from A to B. From making a cup of tea in the morning, to keeping the lights on in hospitals, our electricity network puts power in the hands of people. Without it, the world as we know it would grind to a halt.

The world of energy is changing beyond recognition as we focus on building a cleaner, greener future. Working at National Grid, you won’t just be touching the lives of almost everyone in the UK – you’ll be shaping the way we use and consume energy for generations to come.

Our values and principles

Diversity, equity, and inclusion are at the heart of who we are and what we do. Our commitment to these values is unwavering and they are central to our mission. We encourage applications from all backgrounds, communities and industries and we are happy to discuss any reasonable adjustments that you require.

About the role

When you join our 18-month Graduate Development Programme as a Graduate Procurement Buyer, you’ll be working with our high performing teams to get the right supplies from the right supplier, at the right price and at the right time!

Procurement takes care of owning strategic direction for categories of spend and leading on the execution of sourcing activities, negotiation and selection of goods and services that are important to an organisation. Working for a FTSE 100 Global company, within Global Procurement, you’ll be in a dynamic team responsible for purchasing goods, services and works required to keep National Grid operating. As an organisation who operates in both UK & US you may be required to collaborate with global suppliers and colleagues based in other regions.

You will be working as a part of a diverse Global Procurement team which uses a strategic approach for buying all the goods and services needed for the company to stay sustainable. You’ll be involved in the development of category strategies, identification of business needs, finding and qualifying the supply chain, requesting and analysing proposals, negotiating with suppliers and contracting. Ultimately you will be responsible for setting up the supply chain to enable successful delivery for National Grid.

National Grid is committed to working towards Net Zero and as a Graduate Procurement Buyer, you can support this by setting the framework for sourcing sustainable goods and services. We are also committed to our people and are looking for individuals who are passionate about their long-term development and can see their career at the heart of the energy future.

About you

You will be engaging with multiple business units in running full Strategic Sourcing Events through to contract award, executing requirements on a framework of approved suppliers and helping categories develop and deliver strategic direction. Let’s explore the skills that will help you be successful in this role:

• A strong communicator: Who can articulate effectively to a range of audiences for a variety of purposes and contribute in a positive and collaborative manner to achieving common goals. You’re able to build strong, mutually beneficial relationships, engage in a professional manner and possess strong leadership and influencing skills.
• An effective problem-solver: Who has the ability to apply critical, creative and evidence-based thinking to develop innovative strategies to meet business needs and deliver long term value.
• Self-aware and reflective: Who is flexible and resilient and has the capacity to accept and give constructive feedback whilst always acting with integrity and taking responsibility for your actions.
• Commercially minded: Who can use their initiative and influence to deliver commercial benefit to an organization and can weigh up multiple options, articulate each option and make recommendations to the business unit.
• Organised and can plan: You’re able to effectively manage your time, able to prioritise, can balance the needs of multiple projects and is competent in use of project management tools.

What you'll need

You'll need to achieve a 2.1 degree; however it doesn’t matter when you got this or if you are currently working towards it. We just need you to be eager to apply your knowledge in a real-world setting.

You’ll also ideally have a valid full UK Driving License.

Location

This role is based in Warwick with flexible, hybrid working.

We care about your wellbeing and want you to get the best out of your working environment, so our future for office-based teams is hybrid. Hybrid working is a mix between home and office working. Flexibility is the key, what’s important is that it meets the needs of the colleague and the business, and that you agree the best approach for you and your team with your manager.

Application deadline

We recruit on a rolling basis and reserve the right to close our vacancies once we have enough applications. We encourage you to apply as early as possible to ensure you obtain the place you want in the application process.

Assessment centres will be held from December 2023 onwards.

What you'll get

We are proud to offer a starting salary of £33,154 (Bachelor’s) or £34,300 (Master’s).

As a first step to your career in the energy industry, our Graduate Programmes are like no other! You’ll gain an insight into how we work at National Grid, understand what a career with us can offer, and receive some great rewards and benefits:

• £2,000 bonus, once joined and started on programme
• 26 days holiday
• £2,400 payment on successful completion of the programme
• Up to £200 per month accommodation allowance as you move around the business, and additional annual leave for when you move between placements plus assistance with moving personal belongings
• Cost of living allowance (inner London, Metropolitan and Outer Metropolitan areas)
• Other benefits include pension and share-option schemes, Flexible Benefits, close mentorship and regular feedback, and volunteering opportunities.
• You will also be supported to work towards a CIPS professional qualification (Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply).

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 goal is to drive, develop and operate our business in a way that results in a more inclusive culture. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, the innovation from diverse teams & perspectives and business need. We are committed to building a workforce so we can represent the communities we serve and have a working environment in which each individual feels valued, respected, fairly treated, and able to reach their full potential.