The National Grid Graduate Buyer Scheme is an 18-month structured development programme designed to build commercial and procurement capability through three six-month placements. Two placements are based within Global Procurement, while a third ‘broadening’ placement offers experience in another area of the business, supporting wider development and a deeper understanding of National Grid’s operations. Upon successful completion of the scheme, graduates transition into permanent roles within Global Procurement.
During each procurement placement, Graduate Buyers work closely with experienced procurement professionals to support the delivery of strategic sourcing activities. You’ll be involved in multiple sourcing events, helping to shape sourcing strategies, challenge demand, and manage the end-to-end procurement process—from market engagement through to contract award.
This is a hands-on role that offers exposure to real commercial challenges, enabling you to develop core procurement skills, build stakeholder relationships, and contribute to the delivery of value across the business.
As a Graduate Buyer, you’ll play a key role in supporting strategic procurement activity across the business. You’ll:
We’re looking for curious, driven individuals who are ready to make an impact. You’ll thrive in this role if you:
Don’t meet all our requirements? Don’t worry, we are looking for people who are enthusiastic and excited about being part of National Grids journey to net zero.
You'll need to achieve a minimum 2:2 in any degree discipline. It doesn’t matter when you graduated or if you are currently working towards your qualification. We just need you to be eager to apply your knowledge in a real-world setting.
You’ll need flexibility to travel within role and throughout your rotations as required.
This role is based at National Grid House, Warwick and may offer flexible hybrid working, where possible so you'll need to be in a commutable distance of this office.
We are proud to offer a starting salary of £38,289 with annual salary increases throughout the programme.
As a first step in your career within the energy industry, our Graduate Programme offers a unique opportunity to develop your skills, gain valuable experience, and build a long-term career with National Grid.
Alongside a tailored development programme designed to power your career at National Grid, you'll also enjoy a range of fantastic rewards and benefits, including:
As you'll be joining our 18-month graduate programme, you'll have a tailored development pathway to support you as you develop a wide range of leadership, business, and technical skills. You'll attend in-person and virtual development sessions throughout your programme to equip you with the essential skills required, as you begin your career at National Grid. We're committed to the personal development of our colleagues so as well as the support from your line manager as you navigate your new role, you'll also have access to 1:1 coaching and a mentor, from a previous cohort to help you transition from campus to corporate life.
All graduates complete the core development programme to develop key skills such as how to make an impact, giving feedback and presentation skills. Aligned to this role is our Commercial pathway, where you’ll further develop commerciality skills and gain important insight of engineering and electricity to increase your understanding of our business and industry. Dependent upon your role you may complete a formal qualification such as (Chartered Institute of Professional Development) CIPD.
We believe in the importance of getting as much on-the-job experience as possible and to do this, you will complete three 6-month placements, across the UK, designed to deepen your understanding of your speciality but to also broaden your knowledge of our business. At the end of your 18-month programme you’ll return to your initial placement area to kickstart your career.
