Senior Category Buyer

Job Title: Senior Category Buyer
Location: Warwick (Hybrid/Flexible Working)
Salary: 46,000 - 57,000 per annum (plus a performance-based bonus)
Contract Type: Full-Time, Permanent

About The Role

We are seeking an experienced Senior Category Buyer to lead procurement activities for multi-billion-pound HVDC projects within a built asset environment. This includes converters, transformers, marine HVDC cable, switchgear, and civil works. You will manage complex procurement packages, deliver category strategies, and ensure best-in-class sourcing for critical infrastructure projects that shape the future of energy.

Key Responsibilities:

• Strategic Sourcing: Develop category strategies, make commercial recommendations, and execute sourcing strategies to ensure best-in-class procurement.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Manage strategic sourcing events, working with stakeholders to understand and challenge demand for optimal commercial solutions.
• Category Strategy Development: Support and deliver assigned category strategies, sharing best practices across teams.
• Market Analysis: Research supply markets, assess trends, and provide insights to global teams.
• Tender Management: Manage tender events to deliver value for key business products.
• Contract Management: Ensure successful delivery of contracted activities, identifying improvement opportunities and maximising value.
• Leadership and Mentoring: Mentor Buyers and Associate Buyers, promoting excellence in procurement standards.
• Forward Planning: Identify future requirements and ensure robust forecasting to maximise procurement value.

Essential Skills & Experience

• Proven experience in procurement for large-scale infrastructure projects (ideally power/utility, HVDC, or transferable sectors such as HS2, nuclear, rail).
• Ability to manage complex, high-value projects ( 50M- 100M+).
• Strong knowledge of procurement processes, contract management, and supply chain engagement.
• Excellent stakeholder management, influencing, and communication skills.
• CIPS qualification or equivalent preferred.
• Experience in regulated/public sector environments

Desirable

• Knowledge of HVDC systems and components.
• Familiarity with engineering and construction procurement challenges.

If you're ready to make a significant impact and advance your career in procurement, we want to hear from you! Join a team that values your expertise and drive for excellence.

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.

We use generative AI tools to support our candidate screening process. This helps us ensure a fair, consistent, and efficient experience for all applicants. Rest assured, all final decisions are made by our hiring team, and your application will be reviewed with care and attention.