Buyer

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£41,000 - £46,500 + up to 6% Bonus

About Us

At National Gas, the work we do matters.

As Britain's national gas network, we help keep the lights on, businesses running, and homes warm by maintaining the critical infrastructure that transports gas across Great Britain. While providing the energy security Britain relies on today, we are also helping transform the network for a clean energy future.

Join us and help secure Britain's energy.

About the Role

As an HR Category Buyer, you'll support the delivery of procurement, sourcing, and supplier management activities across a diverse range of Human Resources spend categories. Working closely with the HR Indirect Category Manager, you'll lead lower-risk and medium to low-value procurement projects from end-to-end, helping to secure commercial value while ensuring compliance with procurement policies and procedures.

You'll build effective relationships with suppliers and key stakeholders, monitor supplier performance, and identify opportunities to improve service, reduce cost, and manage risk. The role also plays an important part in supporting the wider HR procurement strategy, contributing to category plans and helping to drive value across areas such as recruitment, learning and development, employee benefits, contingent labour, and other HR-related services.

This is an excellent opportunity for a commercially minded procurement professional who enjoys stakeholder engagement, delivering sourcing projects, and influencing positive business outcomes through effective supplier and category management.

What You'll Do

- Deliver sourcing and procurement activities across a range of HR spend categories, supporting the wider HR procurement strategy.

- Lead end-to-end low-risk and lower-value sourcing projects, ensuring value for money, compliance, and business requirements are met.

- Analyse spend data to identify cost savings, supplier optimisation opportunities, and areas for commercial improvement.

- Conduct market research to understand supplier capabilities, industry trends, risks, and innovation opportunities.

- Develop and manage tender processes, including RFIs, RFPs, ITTs, supplier evaluation, and contract award activities.

- Support commercial negotiations to secure competitive pricing, favourable contractual terms, and effective risk management.

- Manage supplier performance through KPIs, SLAs, and contract governance to ensure service quality and continuous improvement.

- Build strong relationships with stakeholders across HR, Finance, Legal, and wider business functions to deliver effective procurement solutions.

- Ensure all procurement activity complies with internal governance, regulatory requirements, and procurement policies.

- Support category strategy development, supplier relationship management, sustainability objectives, and continuous improvement initiatives.

- Deliver cost savings, cost avoidance, and additional commercial value through sourcing and supplier management activities.

- Improve visibility and control of HR spend through effective analysis, reporting, and contract management.

- Reduce commercial and supplier risk while supporting business continuity and strategic HR initiatives.

Why this role matters

This role plays a vital part in ensuring the business secures the right HR services and suppliers to support its people and organisational goals. By delivering effective sourcing, supplier management, and commercial procurement activities across areas such as recruitment, learning and development, employee benefits, and occupational health, you'll help drive value for money, reduce risk, improve service quality, and support strategic HR initiatives. Your work will enable smarter spending decisions, stronger supplier partnerships, and better outcomes for employees and the wider business.

About You

You'll be a commercially minded procurement professional with experience in sourcing and contract management, combined with strong analytical and stakeholder engagement skills. Comfortable working independently and as part of a team, you'll be confident reviewing commercial and contractual risks, driving continuous improvement, and delivering practical solutions. Experience within HR procurement and a regulated industry environment would be advantageous, alongside knowledge of tools such as SAP Ariba, Coupa, or Power BI. A CIPS qualification (Level 4 or above), or a willingness to work towards one, is desirable but not essential.

Essential

- Experience in sourcing, procurement, and contract management, ideally within an HR or indirect procurement environment.

- Strong commercial awareness with the ability to identify value, manage costs, and support effective business decision-making.

- Excellent analytical and reporting skills, with the ability to interpret data and identify opportunities for improvement.

- Confidence in reviewing contractual terms, assessing commercial risks, and recommending appropriate solutions.

- Proven ability to work independently, manage priorities, and deliver results with minimal supervision.

- Strong problem-solving skills with a focus on driving continuous improvement and achieving positive outcomes.

- Effective communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to build strong working relationships across the business.

- CIPS Level 4 (or equivalent) qualification, or a willingness to work towards professional accreditation.

Desirable

- Previous experience within HR Procurement.

- Experience sourcing within utilities or other regulated industries, including knowledge of PA23 and UCR frameworks.

- Knowledge of supplier management, category management, and strategic sourcing methodologies.

- Experience using procurement and analytics tools such as SAP Ariba, Coupa, and Power BI.

Inclusive Recruitment

We are building a workforce that reflects the communities we serve, championing diversity and creating an inclusive workplace where everyone is valued for their unique contribution.

We support reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process and beyond.

National Gas is a Disability Confident employer and signatory of the Armed Forces Covenant.