Are you passionate about making a difference in the Utilities and Energy industry? Are you driven by the prospect of contributing to an affordable net zero future? Our client is seeking an enthusiastic and proactive Associate Buyer to join their team on a Fixed Term Contract basis.

About the Role: As an Associate Buyer, you will play a crucial role in supporting our client's strategic sourcing and category management initiatives. You will work closely with Senior Category Leads to deliver key sourcing events and develop strategies that are vital to business success. This role offers a unique opportunity to drive innovation, explore new markets, and contribute to sustainability and social value goals.

Key Responsibilities:

• Create and implement strategies to support business objectives, ensuring alignment with the project goals.
• Manage the entire sourcing process within your portfolio, from initial planning to final delivery, ensuring timely and cost-effective procurement.
• Draft, negotiate, and execute robust contractual agreements that meet organisational requirements and project specifications.
• Work closely with suppliers to manage ongoing contract requirements, ensuring compliance and identifying opportunities for value addition.
• Utilise contract management software to maintain and update contract records, generating quality management reports to support decision-making.
• Facilitate regular contract review meetings with suppliers to monitor performance, address issues, and explore opportunities for further value creation.
• Drive innovation by exploring new markets and technologies that can enhance the project's efficiency and sustainability.
• Promote and integrate sustainability and social value initiatives into procurement activities, aligning with National Grid's commitment to an affordable net zero future.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with internal stakeholders to ensure alignment and support for procurement strategies and activities.

What We're Looking For:

• A passion for enabling an affordable net zero in the utilities and energy sector.
• Proactive attitude and a desire to learn and solve problems.
• Strong commercial acumen with the ability to analyse data and provide meaningful insights.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to engage and build relationships with stakeholders.
• Project management skills and the ability to work on multiple projects simultaneously.
• Willingness to demonstrate role model behaviours aligned with the organisation's values

Please note: Due to the high volume of applications, only successful candidates will be contacted. If you do not hear from us within 48 hours, unfortunately, your application has not been successful on this occasion. However, we may retain your details for any future suitable vacancies and contact you accordingly.

Pontoon is an employment consultancy. We put expertise, energy, and enthusiasm into improving everyone's chance of being part of the workplace. We respect and appreciate people of all ethnicities, generations, religious beliefs, sexual orientations, gender identities, and more. We do this by showcasing their talents, skills, and unique experience in an inclusive environment that helps them thrive. If you require reasonable adjustments at any stage, please let us know and we will be happy to support you