Senior Buyer

Downer Group; Melbourne; On-site; AUD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

THRIVE leadership program

EmpowHER development program

Perks@Downer discounts

Job summary

Downer Group is seeking an experienced Senior Buyer to support a regional Energy & Utilities portfolio. The role emphasizes end-to-end procurement from planning and sourcing to negotiating, contracting and supplier performance, with close collaboration across project teams.

You will drive procurement plans, build supplier relationships, and identify cost-saving opportunities while ensuring compliance with P2P and DFA processes in a fast-paced project environment.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience across procurement, contract management and/or project environments within construction, utilities, oil and gas or related industries.
• Knowledge of source-to-contract and procure-to-pay processes, with demonstrated sourcing, negotiation and supplier management capabilities.
• A relevant degree in supply chain management, procurement, engineering, project management or related discipline.
• Strong commercial, analytical and organizational skills, with experience using ERP and procurement/project systems (e.g., Oracle, Felix, InEight, Dynamics).
• Proactive, hands-on approach with strong stakeholder management and ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced project environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead sourcing and contracting activities, including RFx processes, commercial negotiations, pricing, terms and delivery schedules.
• Develop and maintain procurement plans aligned with project requirements, procurement frameworks and business objectives.
• Build strong supplier relationships, proactively managing performance, commercial issues, risks and opportunities.
• Partner with project delivery and project controls teams to support cost, schedule, quality and procurement milestones.

Skills

Sourcing

Negotiation

Supplier management

Stakeholder management

Education

Degree in supply chain/procurement/engineering/project management

Tools

Oracle

Felix

InEight

Dynamics

Job description

The opportunity

We have an opportunity for an experienced Senior Buyer to join our Energy & Utilities procurement team, supporting a regional portfolio of projects and contracts.

Reporting to the Procurement Hub Manager, you'll play a key role in delivering end-to-end procurement activities, from procurement planning and strategic sourcing through to negotiation, contracting and supplier performance. You'll work closely with project delivery teams and stakeholders to ensure the right materials and services are sourced at the right cost, time and location.

This is a hands-on role suited to someone who enjoys working in a project environment, building strong stakeholder relationships and identifying opportunities to improve commercial outcomes.

What you'll do

• Lead sourcing and contracting activities, including RFx processes, commercial negotiations, pricing, terms and delivery schedules.
• Develop and maintain procurement plans aligned with project requirements, procurement frameworks and business objectives.
• Build strong supplier relationships, proactively managing performance, commercial issues, risks and opportunities.
• Partner with project delivery and project controls teams to support cost, schedule, quality and procurement milestones.
• Identify cost-saving and spend optimisation opportunities while ensuring compliance with P2P, DFA and broader procurement processes.

What we offer

• The opportunity to support significant infrastructure and essential services projects across Downer's Energy & Utilities business.
• Career development through Downer's leadership and development programs, including THRIVE and EmpowHER.
• Access to Perks@Downer, offering financial, travel and wellbeing discounts.
• Dedicated internal mobility support, with a strong focus on career progression, succession and redeployment opportunities.
• The opportunity to work within a Tier 1 ASX-listed organisation with extensive in-house capability across infrastructure and essential services.

What we're looking for

• 5+ years' experience across procurement, contract management and/or project environments within construction, utilities, oil and gas or a similar industry.
• Strong knowledge of source-to-contract and procure-to-pay processes, with demonstrated sourcing, negotiation and supplier management capability.
• A relevant degree in supply chain management, procurement, engineering, project management or a related discipline.
• Strong commercial, analytical and organisational skills, with experience using ERP and procurement/project systems. Experience with platforms such as Oracle, Felix, InEight or Dynamics will be highly regarded.
• A proactive, hands-on approach with strong stakeholder management skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced project environment.

About Energy & Utilities

Downer's Energy & Utilities business unit is an integrated trans-Tasman team, providing services and solutions that connect communities to essential networks and infrastructure. We design, build, operate and maintain today's critical assets and networks, delivering complete services across the water, electricity, telecommunications, industrial and power generation sectors. Our expertise spans in-house technical smarts, specialist engineering, integrated OEM partners, and dedicated crews of qualified tradespeople.

Downer Group is an employer that acknowledges and embraces the importance of our people's diverse experiences, talents, and cultures. As an inclusive employer, we welcome applications from everyone.