Do you want to help power your career and be part of an evolving energy industry?
An exciting opportunity has arisen for an enthusiastic Senior Buyer to join our Commercial team on a 24 month fixed term contract.
The energy industry is advancing with investment in smart technology innovation and Northern Powergrid, as the company responsible for powering everyday life for 8 million customers across 3.9 million homes and businesses in the North East, Yorkshire and northern Lincolnshire, is at the forefront of delivering a power network that meets the region’s needs now and in the future.
We are a diverse team, creating a smarter, more flexible electricity distribution network that will enable our region to decarbonise and meet the needs of our customers now, and in the future.
Along with a competitive salary of up to £50,000 we also offer great benefits such as:
- 10% performance bonus
- Agile working
- Enrolment into our double matched pension scheme
- Enrolment in a Company Vehicle Scheme or Cash Alternative
- Opportunities for further professional development, e.g CIPS
Key Responsibilities
As a Senior Buyer, you will play a pivotal role in shaping and delivering high‑value procurement activity across the business. You will take ownership of the full sourcing lifecycle, using your commercial expertise to drive value, innovation, and strong supplier partnerships. Your responsibilities will include:
- Developing robust sourcing strategies for each tender, ensuring optimum value, supplier competitiveness, and alignment with organisational objectives.
- Premarket engagement to improve competition and outcomes.
- Leading the supplier pre‑qualification process, developing appropriate selection criteria to identify capable partners and helping shape a high‑quality, compliant supplier pool
- Collaborating closely with internal stakeholders to produce comprehensive Invitation to Tender (ITT) documents, including scopes of work, technical specifications, contract terms, and award criteria.
- Evaluating supplier submissions across both pre‑qualification and tender stages, against published criteria, and applying commercial insight, risk awareness, and business alignment to all recommendations.
- Facilitating tender clarification activities, including supplier Q&A and clarification meetings, ensuring a transparent and well‑managed process.
- Analysing value, affordability, and commercial viability of bids to support informed, strategic decision‑making.
- Preparing clear, compelling award proposals that capture the outcomes of the sourcing process and guide business leaders toward confident contract awards.
- Driving the contract award and execution process, working with suppliers and business teams to ensure seamless transition from tender to contract start.
- Supporting and mentoring junior team members, sharing knowledge, developing capability, and contributing to a high‑performing procurement function.
- Strong commercial judgement. Able to assess value, identify risks and opportunities, and make informed commercial decisions that support organisational objectives.
- High level of data competency. Experienced in interpreting and analysing data, using insights to inform recommendations, and presenting information clearly to stakeholders.
- Customer‑focused approach. Demonstrates strong communication and relationship‑building skills, delivering a responsive and high‑quality service to internal stakeholders.
- Ability to engage effectively at all levels. Confident working with colleagues across the organisation, from front‑line teams to senior leadership.
- Effective stakeholder management. Skilled in coordinating multiple stakeholders throughout the tender process, ensuring clarity, alignment and timely progression of activities.
- Experience managing large, high‑value contracts. Capable of overseeing multi‑million‑pound contract portfolios to ensure performance, value and compliance.
Qualifications and Attributes
Essential Qualifications and Experience
- Educated to A‑Level standard (or equivalent).
- MCIPS qualified, working towards accreditation, or demonstrating a strong commitment to achieving it.
- Full, clean UK driving licence.
- Proven experience delivering projects on time, ensuring tasks are completed within agreed schedules and expectations.
- Strong negotiation skills, with a track record of achieving favourable outcomes.
- Good understanding of contract terms, conditions, and the basics of contract law, and the ability to apply this knowledge in practice.
- Proficient in Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
Desirable Qualifications and Experience
- Degree‑level education in a relevant discipline, such as procurement, business, supply chain, engineering or similar.
- Experience using electronic sourcing systems, with confidence navigating digital tendering and supplier management tools.
- Background in regulated procurement, with an understanding of compliance requirements and structured procurement processes.
- Experience working within the utilities sector or a similar regulated industry, ideally involving large‑scale or complex procurement activity.
- Practical experience procuring services that support operational, engineering or maintenance activities, ensuring suppliers can meet technical and service‑level needs.
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