Senior Buyer

Job Description

The CompanyNorthern Powergrid owns and operates the network that distributes electricity to homes and businesses across the North East, Yorkshire and northern Lincolnshire. Employing over 2,500 people, the business has 8 million customers and supplies 3.9 million propertiesvia 60,000 miles of overhead powerlines and underground cables.As part of Berkshire Hathaway Energy (BHE), the energy division of a US owned multinational conglomerate, Northern Powergrid is now embarking on a Digital Transformation which will modernise their systems and processes and enable them to satisfy the needs ofcustomers and stakeholders whilst streamlining the employee experience. Creating a modern workplace which enables employees through the use of systems will be a key outcome of the programme. As a result, they are looking to recruit a number of roles that willbe integral to delivering this programme of work over the coming years, including a Senior Buyer for an initial 2-year Fixed Term Contract.The OpportunityThe Senior Buyer will be responsible for procuring a variety of goods and service contracts, ensuring that best value is achieved for Northern Powergrid, in accordance and compliance with Berkshire Hathaway Energy and Northern Powergrid Policy and associatedregulatory and legislative requirements.The Senior Buyer will report into the Purchasing Operations Manager and will form part of a supportive multi-site Procurement Team. The successful Senior Buyer will ideally be office based 2 days per week in either Penshaw (Tyne & Wear) or Castleford, withthe option of 3 days per week remote-working.Key responsibilities will include -

• Procuring services contracts relating to servicing and maintaining overhead lines and substations, cable engineering services, IT service contracts, other network work programme activities
• Contract renewals/refreshes in relation to regulatory cycles covering varied categories
• Redeveloping tender packs, ensuring the inclusion of updated specifications, new legislation and corporate strategy/developments
• Following/implementing defined strategies for each contractselecting best routes to market (including use of e-auctions, contract terms offered etc) to achieve best value
• Regular interaction/stakeholder engagement with Project/Programme Managers and Project Management Teams, subject matter experts to define correct specifications
• Providing Procurement Business Partnering support building strong relationships with and encouraging early engagement of key stakeholders with Procurement Team

About YouThe successful Senior Buyer will have/be:

• Available to commence a 2-year fixed term contract at short notice
• An excellent understanding of/experience of managing full end to end tender processexperienced in leading tenders from PQQ to ITT through to response evaluation and contract award - essential
• Direct or indirect procurement experience will be considered, although some knowledge of Public Sector Procurement would be beneficial
• Accustomed to utilising e-procurement portals and/or technically competent, skilled in Office applications
• Resilient with strong influencing and confident communication skillsaccustomed to proactively engaging with and challenging key stakeholders such as Project and Programme Managers
• Accustomed tobuilding relationships swiftly with multifunctional senior stakeholders
• Commercially focused, proactive with a strong eye for detail
• CIPS qualifications beneficial but not essential

For a confidential discussion of this rewarding opportunity to work within a supportive team in an organisation which offers personal development and excellent benefits, including a car scheme/allowance, please get in contact, quoting ref. 391039.