Supplier Performance & Risk Lead

About the Role

National Energy System Operator (NESO) is on a journey towards a sustainable and secure energy future. Together we build on this momentum, advancing the Electricity System Operator’s (ESO) plan for zero carbon operability of the electricity system by 2025.

2026 continues to be an exciting year for NESO’s Procurement team as we strengthen supplier performance, supplier risk assurance and long-term value across our supply base. We are now looking for a Supplier Performance and Risk Lead to support the implementation and day-to-day operation of NESO’s supplier performance and third-party risk approach. Working closely with procurement, legal, compliance, finance, contract managers and suppliers, you will help maintain supplier scorecards, risk registers, governance routines and reporting that support effective oversight of supplier obligations, service levels, controls and regulatory requirements.

The role should also bring category knowledge across Property, Facilities Management, including hard and soft FM, and Professional Services, helping to ensure supplier performance and risk considerations are applied in a practical and commercially informed way. We are looking for someone with strong supplier, contract and performance management experience who can provide practical insight, support proportionate risk mitigation and help embed consistent supplier management practices across the organisation.

This role can be based in Wokingham or Warwick, and we continue to offer hybrid working from office and home. We are open to full time and part time applicants, as well as flexible working arrangements.

Key Accountabilities

• Supporting the implementation and ongoing application of NESO’s Supplier Performance Management Framework, helping to ensure supplier obligations, service levels, KPIs and outcomes are clearly recorded, monitored and reported across relevant spend categories.
• Supporting the development and maintenance of supplier scorecards, working with suppliers and internal stakeholders to capture contractual obligations and assess quality, delivery, cost, sustainability, innovation and value outcomes to support evidence-based supplier and contract decisions.
• Supporting supplier performance and contract management activity, working with category teams, contract managers and business stakeholders to help monitor whether suppliers are meeting contractual obligations and agreed performance standards.
• Utilising Ivalua and supplier data insights to monitor supplier performance, record obligations, identify emerging risks, support mitigation plans and strengthen procurement planning and contract renewal decisions.
• Co-ordinating Quarterly Business Reviews and supplier governance forums for strategic and critical suppliers, supporting action tracking, issue follow-up, escalation routes, remediation activity and continuous improvement.
• Maintaining the Supplier Risk Register in line with the agreed framework, helping to capture financial, operational, cybersecurity, compliance, business continuity and ESG risks across the supply base, together with associated controls, owners and actions.
• Supporting the implementation and ongoing use of supplier segmentation and contract tiering approaches, helping to apply proportionate governance, performance management and risk oversight for strategic, critical and operational suppliers.
• Supporting supplier due diligence, assessments and assurance activity to help evidence compliance with contractual, legal, regulatory and NESO policy requirements.
• Preparing supplier risk and performance assurance reports and governance packs for senior leadership, audit and governance forums, providing clear insight to support transparency, accountability and timely escalation of key issues.
• Support the continued development of NESO’s Supplier Relationship Management and Contract Management frameworks, helping to embed consistency, compliance, collaboration and value optimisation across supplier relationships.

Applicants must have the right to work in the UK by the start of employment. Visa sponsorship may not be available for this role and will be considered in line with business requirements.

About You

We’re forging the path, and we know we can’t do it alone. That’s why we need visionary minds like yours to join us on this transformative journey. In this case, we’re looking for someone who has/is:

• Significant experience in supplier management, contract management, supplier performance management or supplier risk within a complex or regulated environment.
• Category knowledge across Property, Facilities Management, including hard and soft FM, and Professional Services, with the ability to understand supplier performance drivers and commercial risk across a varied supply base.
• Experience supporting or operating supplier performance frameworks, supplier scorecards, KPIs, performance reporting and review forums.
• Good understanding of supplier risk management frameworks, supplier segmentation strategies and contract tiering models, with experience applying these in practice.
• Ability to interpret contractual obligations and translate them into practical performance measures, governance routines, reporting and improvement plans.
• Confident in working collaboratively with procurement, legal, finance, compliance, business continuity, contract owners and suppliers to resolve issues and manage risk.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to use supplier data, dashboards and performance insights to support evidence-based decisions.
• Strong communication and stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to explain performance and risk matters clearly to suppliers, colleagues, auditors and governance forums.
• Experience of using Ivalua or a similar procurement, contract management or supplier management platform would be advantageous.

What You'll Get

A competitive salary of £50,000 - £60,000 dependent on experience and capabilityAs well as your base salary, NESO's core benefits are the essential perks and advantages that form part of your employee package. - You will receive a bonus based on company performance- 26 days annual leave as standard - A competitive contributory pension scheme where we will double match your contribution to a maximum company contribution of 12%. - Annual Enrollment to NESO Savings Plan, when you save between £20- £500 a month from your take-home pay, we will pay a 50% matching contribution.

NESO's flexible benefits programme provides you with more flexibility around your health, lifestyle and protection benefits, here's just a few available:
- Flexible Bank Holidays & Holiday Trading
- Additional Birthday Day Off
- Cycle to Work Scheme, Retail & Gym Discounts
- Private Medical Insurance, Critical Illness Insurance & Personal Accident Insurance

About Us

At the National Energy System Operator (NESO), we play a vital role in tackling climate change and securing Great Britain's energy future. We already operate the world's fastest decarbonising electricity system and are working towards our ambition to run it carbon-free for a short period this year - provided the market supplies electricity exclusively from renewable sources. Alongside this, we provide expert advice to government on how to deliver a clean power system by 2030.
In autumn 2024, the Electricity System Operator (ESO) transitioned to become NESO - an independent, expert public corporation with a whole-system view across electricity, gas, and hydrogen. NESO operates independently and transparently, always acting in the best interests of all energy users.
Licensed and regulated by Ofgem, we make impartial decisions that balance sustainability, affordability and security. Our organisation is fully independent from government, the regulator and all commercial interests, with a clear focus on system-wide benefit, long term thing and public value.
The time to deliver is now. Join the energy transformation and help shape the future.
Your energy. Our future. Together

National Energy System Operator (NESO) recognises the potential of bright and talented individuals, and we encourage you to join us as Great Britain’s energy system undergoes an ambitious, exciting, and vital transformation. Together with industry, we are creating a cleaner, more sustainable energy future.

More Information

This role closes at 23:59, on the day before date shown above, however we encourage candidates to submit their application as early as possible and not wait until the published closing date as this can vary.

Research shows that some people may hesitate to apply unless they meet every single requirement. At NESO, we believe potential comes in many forms and we're committed to a fair, inclusive recruitment

We're committed to building a workforce that represents the communities we serve, and a working environment in which each individual feels valued, respected, fairly treated, and able to reach their full potential. If this role sparks your interest but you're not sure you tick every box, we still want to hear from you. process where everyone has the opportunity to show their talents. We celebrate the difference people can bring into our organisation, and welcome and encourage applicants with diverse experiences and backgrounds.