Manager, Global Category Management

About us

National Grid lies at the heart of a transforming energy system, spanning the US and the UK. Our businesses supply gas and electricity, safely, reliably and efficiently to millions of customers and communities. But we also drive change through engineering innovation and by incubating new ideas with the power to revolutionize our industry.

As the world changes to embrace cleaner energy and businesses shift to operate in a more responsible way, we are leading that charge. We are focused on finding ways to decarbonize the energy system; from investing in renewable energy generation in the US, to building interconnectors to allow the UK to share clean energy with our neighbors in Europe.

At National Grid, we don’t just ask our people to deliver to the highest standards. We also support them to be the best they can be. We welcome and encourage applicants with diverse experiences and backgrounds. National Grid’s ambition is to drive, develop and operate our business in a way that results in a more inclusive culture. We are committed to building a workforce which represents the communities we serve and a working environment in which each individual feels respected, fairly treated, valued and able to reach their full potential.
 

We are currently looking for a highly motivated, self-starting individual with critical thinking skills who wants to join a dynamic and fast paced organization going through a major transformation. If you are someone who’s looking to bring innovation, contribute ideas and play a part in renewing the procurement organization we want to hear from you!
 

Job Purpose

Delivering the transition to clean energy will require National Grid to expand its suppliers to include many new, innovative companies. This is a departure from National Grid’s traditional procurement approach, where proven suppliers providing the most cost-effective solution are generally preferred as a low-cost / low-risk option. Expanding National Grid’s supplier base to include new, innovative companies, while delivering maximum value to customers, is an exciting and challenging opportunity to help National Grid meet growing regulatory and political pressure to deliver clean energy to customers.

Specifically, the Category Manager will be responsible for leading and supporting National Grid’s innovative opportunities to deliver valuable change amidst close collaboration with the National Grid Partners organization (the corporate venture capital and innovation arm of National Grid).  This role will help facilitate pilots and proof of concepts with start-up companies and innovative suppliers.  This role will also help these companies, if their pilots or proof of concepts are successful, make the transition into becoming a core supplier for certain, and often new, key business processes.  Procurement categories include but not limited to, Hardware, Software, Research & Development (R&D), Information Technology (IT), & Professional Services; more specifically, Grid Enhancing Technologies, Next Generation Grid Infrastructure; AI-based Software and Services, Cutting Edge Cybersecurity Software; Virtual Power Plant (VPP) and Distribution System Operation (DSO) software, alternative fuel technologies (RNG, Hydrogen), Advanced Leak Detection solutions, Asset Replacement/Maintenance technologies, and other leading edge technologies. The Category Manager will need the ability to work and influence across the broader National Grid organization to deliver innovative thinking and supply chain strategy to help re-position National Grid as a world-leading utility that can deliver the future.
 

Key Accountabilities

The following competencies are core to the Category Manager role:
 

Category Management
·    Category Management & Strategic Sourcing Subject Matter Expert and a desire and ability advise internal stakeholders.
·    Engage with Stakeholders and staff to deliver against business needs consistent with regulatory requirements.
·    Influence the development of category strategies across the business to consider new, innovative vendors consistent with business plans like the Future of Electricity, Future of Heat, etc.
·    Oversee strategic and complex sourcing activities utilizing various market approach tools including but not limited to; single sourcing, RFX, e-sourcing, reverse auction or consortiums.
·    Support decisions based on a strategic perspective on supply chain management, including how to maximize negotiating power over suppliers over time, costs of vendor “lock-in” and the long-term cost of solutions (TCO or similar)
·    Understands supply chain strategy and negotiating leverage with ability to apply those concepts in practice.

Stakeholder Management / Business Partnering
·    Develop effective Scopes of Work (SOW) with internal and external stakeholders (startups and innovative partners) with the focus on value creation, speed to execution, insight and learning.  
·    Strong stakeholder management and stakeholder diligence.  Managing without authority in a matrixed environment to ensure alignment and mitigate risk.
·    Ability to self-start & assure proactive working relationships with internal stakeholders to identify and develop external capability in support of strategic sourcing opportunities.
 

Supplier Relationship Management
·    Proactive communication with suppliers, many of which may be new to utility procurement processes, and pro-actively support their effort to supply products or services to National Grid amidst competitive and single source situations.
·    Seek to expand and grow our list of critical suppliers to help deliver cleaner energy solutions at more competitive costs and appropriate levels of risk to Customers.
·    Develop appropriate supplier performance measurements (KPIs) into contractual frameworks to help new suppliers transition into critical suppliers.
·    Holds suppliers accountable for performance delivery using KPI data and strategic business reviews.

Commercial Negotiation
·    Understanding of Company and contract conditions; short and long-term Company desired position.
·    Understanding inputs to suppliers and supply chain positions, desired outcomes, and leverage points.
·    Expert in establishing structured negotiation plans and supports in development of market position and company needs; integrates most and least acceptable outcome positions.
·    Ability to craft and negotiate terms and performance criteria with legal and stakeholder input.
·    Takes ownership of the contracting process and effectively navigates the process with pace to arrive at outcomes that incorporate company positions but also manages risk appropriately.
 

Contract Management
·    -Lead commercial contractual negotiations with start-up companies engaging legal stakeholders as needed to ensure contract is right sized for pilot scopes and risk profiles.
 

 Market and Supplier Development
·    Understanding of criteria for alternative country sourcing, associated risks and how its’ supply chain can contribute to our business needs.
·    Contribute to business case development to support alternate country sourcing initiatives.
 

Procurement Process Management and Improvement
·    Identify innovative Procurement solutions that enable rapid execution consistent with regulatory requirements.
·    Track record of moving with a sense of urgency to deliver business value in times of need.
 

Systems and Analytics
·    Demonstrates ability in working with multiple ERP systems: SAP, Ariba, Tableau

Qualifications

·    Bachelor’s degree (B.A or B.S) required; in supply chain, finance or business management preferred. MBA, MS preferred.
·    Preferred seven years’+ experience in strategic sourcing, contract negotiations vendor and contract management. Strong working knowledge of ERP systems.  
·    Preferred but not required, experience in both direct and indirect procurement categories.
·    Successful completion of professional negotiation coursework preferred.
·    An equivalent combination of education and extensive subject matter expertise along with procurement process experience may be accepted as a satisfactory substitute for the specific education requirements listed above.
·    The candidate must have strong interpersonal skills, specifically in communications across a multi-national and matrixed organization. Additionally, the candidate should be proficient in planning, project management, stakeholder engagement, contract management and business analysis.

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