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.

Reporting to the Senior Procurement Manager, the Senior Procurement Buyer is responsible for the delivery of Procurement activities within the Digital, Data and Technology category. The role will support the strategy creation for the category and execute all activities towards the delivery of that strategy, with an eye on value creation across the procured spend base.

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

Key accountabilities

• Supporting the Senior Procurement Manager in driving value creation across the procured spend base, through mechanisms such as volume leverage, quality, forecasting efficiency, supplier innovation, non-traditional markets and optioneering, to ensure the NESO receives value for money.
• Supporting the delivery of a portfolio of strategic sourcing events within IT category group, identifying best sourcing strategies and leading events from market engagement through to award.
• Developing insights to input into the IT category management planning process through research and analysis of supply markets and other characteristics of the procurement market; keep up-to-date with developments and emerging supplier trends.
• Collating data on spend performance and other metrics, providing analysis and recommendations for action; feedback to Senior Procurement Manager for reporting purposes to provide a holistic picture of procurement activity.
• Ensuring risks are identified and work with the Senior Procurement Manager to mitigate them to prevent any disruptions to timely procurement delivery.
• Ensuring a systematic approach to managing spend across all NESO procurement is adopted, in line with the direction from the Senior Procurement Manager.
• Maintaining knowledge of the NESO’s policies and frameworks for contract and supplier management, ensuring compliance with the relevant processes and escalating issues as they arise.

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 has:

• Previous experience of understanding, identifying and executing multiple opportunities across a range of spend categories to deliver value.
• Experience with SAP, S4Hana, Ariba or Coupa would be useful.
• Previous experience of IT Category Management and running IT Procurement Events is desirable
• Supply chain management experience in complex environments.
• An understanding of Public Procurement Regulations is desirable but not essential.
• Track record of driving value beyond straightforward procurement saving; usage of lean techniques to identify and eliminate waste and identify income opportunities in the extended value chain.
• Good influencing and negotiation skills to drive optimum value through the award of commercially sound contracts.
• Excellent interpersonal and stakeholder management skills; able to communicate effectively at all levels and externally to senior leaders within supplier organisations.
• Contract and supplier management skills desirable.

About what you'll get

A competitive salary between £55,000 - £60,000pa – dependent on experience and capability.

As well as your base salary, you will receive a bonus based on company performance, 26 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%.

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.

The ESO, 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 08/11/2024 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.