Senior Buyer

Description:

About the role

Our projects are more than just your opportunity to make your mark. They’re an opportunity to stretch, test and develop your expertise.

Join our Rail team as a Senior Buyer on our Central Rail Systems Alliance project and you’ll deliver complex work that really matters to our business, and the world around you!

What you'll be doing

As a Senior Buyer, you will have the following accountabilities:

Ensure project requirements are met and best value deals are negotiated to meet and exceed savings targets.

Responsible for the project spend predominantly for Subcontracts, supporting Materials procurement as required.

Work closely with the project Commercial team to ensure T&Cs are flowed down from the Main Contract as appropriate.

To own the project specific elements of the over-arching Procurement Strategy and Procurement Schedule for the project and keep them updated.

Lead a “multi-disciplinary” sourcing team through the ITT process in line with the agreed Procurement Strategy to select the best supplier(s) for key trades and products

Negotiate agreements for the project that support on time delivery and meet Health, Safety & Sustainability requirements.

Proactively investigate and propose supply chain improvements and initiatives.

Manage compliance with processes and ensure quality standards are maintained across the team(s), recommending improvements where necessary.

To work with the Sustainability team to support in creating a Sustainability Roadmap.

Who we're looking for

The following personal qualities and experience are essential:

Communication skills at all levels

Negotiation skills (advanced)

Basic Category Management knowledge

Ability to set up a source team(s) & run successful tenders/ ITTs

Good understanding of legal frameworks and contract law

Credibility and presence, becoming identified as the subject matter expert for project procurement, demonstrating the ability to influence sourcing decisions

Working knowledge of ORACLE

Procurement experience on a large, flagship project

Ability to understand customer & business needs working in a demanding Alliance environment with multiple stakeholders from varying organisations

Commercial awareness

Organisation and time management skills with the ability to work independently in prioritising work accordingly

Experience of negotiating complex deals of high value/ business impact, with a track record of making tangible, validated savings

Experience of running successful higher value/ higher risk tenders/ ITTs

Has successfully run packages simultaneously and delivered positive business results

The following personal qualities and experience are desirable:

MCIPS or equivalent preferred

Negotiation training

Why work for us

Day in, day out, our teams deliver some of the UK’s most ambitious, exciting and meaningful projects; developing, building and maintaining the vital infrastructure that supports national economies and strengthens communities.

Why join us?

As if contributing to and supporting work that makes life better for millions wasn’t rewarding enough, we offer a full range of benefits too. You’ll have the freedom to shape the package that’s right for you and your life. Here are some of our key benefits:

- Smart working, giving you more flexibility such as staggered start and finish times, with up to 40% remote working, where roles allow.

- 25 days paid annual leave (pro rata)

- Family friendly policies which include 28 weeks full pay for maternity/adoption leave and four weeks full pay for paternity/partners leave

- Pension, share incentive plan, volunteering leave, recognition schemes and much more…

About us

Balfour Beatty works at the heart of the UK’s rail networks – designing, enhancing and maintaining thousands of miles of the railways that connect communities and underpin growth.

From feasibility studies, planning and design through to implementation and asset management, we provide multi-disciplinary rail infrastructure services across the lifecycle of rail assets. Our expertise covers electrification, track, power, civils, specialist rail plant, railway systems and technologies.

Diversity and inclusion

At Balfour Beatty we believe that diversity and inclusion are essential components of any successful, happy workplace. Through our Value Everyone Diversity and Inclusion Strategy and Action Plan, we are growing our diverse workforce and developing our inclusive culture where everyone is able to thrive and reach their full potential, regardless of their identity or background. To find out how we are making this a reality, visit

We are a Gold Award holder in the Ministry of Defence 'Employer Recognition Scheme' and actively encourage applications from Armed Forces personnel, veterans and reservists.

As a Disability Confident Employer, we are committed to working with people who have disabilities and long-term health conditions to remove barriers for them in obtaining employment. We are also committed to offering applicants with a disability an interview if they meet the minimum requirements for the role. For more info, visit:

We are looking to continually improve our resourcing process and ensure that it is fair and inclusive for all. If you have any feedback on the process, please share this with us at