Job Information
National Grid Head of Commercial in Castle Donington, United Kingdom
Job Purpose
The Head of Commercial reports to the Director of Asset Management and Operations Support and is accountable for ensuring effective contract management of our operations contractors (excluding capital contracts) and acting as the lynchpin between National Grid Electricity Distribution (NGED) and Group Procurement.
The role holder will be focused on delivering maximum value from NGED contracts, ensuring that they provide the materials and manpower to deliver effective and efficient operations, utilised by 4000 field operatives.
They will also be a member of the Asset Management and Operations Leadership team, contributing to team strategy, performance and helping to shape a culture where cost consciousness and optimal contractor delivery are central. They will do this by setting the standards, providing procurement expertise, being the product owner of the contractor management systems and ensuring methods to enable effective management of the contracts.
About the role
As a leader, you will be expected to drive change management and thought leadership as well take accountability for contract strategy and change management across the business.
Aggregating and communicating requirements from Field Operations to Corporate Procurement
Monitoring, on behalf of NGED, that the procurement savings targeted by Corporate Procurement are delivered in support of NGED’s overall transformation plan.
Ensure that design and operational requirements are clearly defined and adhered to in order to realise “on paper savings” in practice (e.g., purchasing is compliant with the contracts, sufficient notice is given, contractual requirements are met on our side).
Product owner for contract management system (based on Maximo)
Developing contract strategies for NGED’s main elements of spend (especially dig and lay), balancing flexibility, time/ volume commitment, and cost savings. Identifying and implementing most appropriate forms of contract to ensure works can be effectively managed to deliver to budget, programme and quality requirements.
Ensuring that we have the contracts in place to provide manpower to meet our legal obligations and regulatory requirements (especially for Faults)
Executing contracts effectively, managing any variation and claims processes to ensure value for money and delivery of field work to agreed budgets.
Conducting regular (at least semi-annual) performance reviews with senior leaders of our most significant contractors
Building a challenging and constructive relationship with the main contractors, including identifying opportunities to improve the overall process to both parties’ benefit.
Introduce practices within operating rhythm that enables continual review of contractor performance (time, cost and quality) versus other outsourced and insourced options
Setting expectations for effective operational contractor management for Field Operations and ensuring a robust feedback loop to ensure compliance, learning and improvement
About you
You will be an experienced commercial, contract management or procurement professional, with a track record of setting contracting strategies which maximise value.
Experience of working in a regulated environment is highly desirable
You will be an experienced leader with excellent strategy skills with the ability to identify strategic implications – being highly organised with the ability to plan ahead
Strong financial/P&L skills to be able to see the opportunities for delivering value and a well-rounded negotiator with gravitas to build strong relationships across senior leaders of main contractors
Experience in developing and building highly skilled and diverse teams, managing people, capability and talent
Able to influence strategically at all levels of the organisation, across the group and externally
What you'll get
A competitive salary between £80,000 – £95,000 – dependent on capability
As well as your base salary, you will receive a company car or allowance, a bonus of up to 20% of your salary for stretch performance and a competitive contributory pension scheme where we will double match your contribution to a maximum company contribution of 12%. You will also have access to a number of flexible benefits such as a share incentive plan, a salary sacrifice technology scheme, support via the employee assistance line and matched charity giving to name a few.
About us
National Grid touches the lives of almost everyone, with an energy network that stretches across the Atlantic. We’re an international team, and our work underpins the lives of millions of people. Feet forwards, head up, and eyes bright, we’re working hard to create value for people today – and shape the future of energy tomorrow.
In the UK, we don’t generate or sell energy – we join the dots to get energy from A to B. From making a cup of tea in the morning, to keeping the lights on in hospitals, our electricity network puts power in the hands of people. Without it, the world as we know it would grind to a halt.
The world of energy is changing beyond recognition. Working at National Grid, you won’t just be touching the lives of almost everyone in the UK – you’ll be shaping the way we use and consume energy for generations to come.
Our values and principles
At National Grid, through listening to what our customers need, every day we do the right thing and find a better way.
As a National Grid employee, you’ll treat our customers as a priority, taking time to listen and work with them to help give them the best experience we possibly can. You’ll need to be proactive and flexible in your approach and continually look for ways to exceed their expectations – sometimes in unexpected and helpful ways. You’ll provide accessible information when our customers need it and make things simple by using your expertise to guide them. Above all, you’ll follow through on your promises to deliver value, drive efficiency and give them a great customer experience.
We offer inclusion and diversity training for everyone here at National Grid, with a view to building an inclusive working environment and developing all our employees. Training opportunities range from unconscious bias and reverse mentoring to targeted training initiatives which are tailored to support our diverse and innovative work force.
More Information
The closing date for this vacancy is 26th June. However, we encourage candidates to submit their applications as early as possible and not to wait until the published closing date. National Grid’s recruitment periods can and may vary. We reserve the right to remove this advert or close it to further applications at any point during the recruitment process.
At National Grid, we work towards the highest standards in everything we do, including how we support, value and develop our people. Our aim is to encourage and support employees to thrive and be the best they can be. We celebrate the difference people can bring into our organisation, and welcome and encourage applicants with diverse experiences and backgrounds, and offer flexible and tailored support, at home and in the office.
Our goal is to drive, develop and operate our business in a way that results in a more inclusive culture. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, the innovation from diverse teams & perspectives and business need. We are committed to building a workforce so we can represent the communities we serve and have a working environment in which each individual feels valued, respected, fairly treated, and able to reach their full potential.
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