Senior Buyer

Rolls-Royce SMR; East Midlands; Hybrid; GBP 42,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

Rolls-Royce SMR is seeking a Senior Buyer to lead sourcing and commercial activity across site-based services, infrastructure and operational support packages. The role collaborates with Programme, Construction, Engineering, Operations and Commercial teams to shape requirements and influence early decisions within a regulated environment.

The position offers hybrid working with offices in Derby, Manchester or Warrington, and a salary band of £42,000 to £55,150 plus benefits.

Qualifications

• Experience in procurement across siteworks, operations, infrastructure or construction-related environments.
• Strong commercial acumen with hands-on experience delivering competitive tenders and negotiating supplier agreements.
• Ability to work across technical and commercial interfaces, including cost, programme and supply chain considerations.
• Strong stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence a wide range of audiences.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end procurement activity including pre-qualification, RFx processes, tender evaluation, negotiation and contract award.
• Build and manage a resilient and scalable supply base across siteworks, infrastructure, enabling works and operational services.
• Work collaboratively with cross-functional stakeholders to shape requirements and influence early-stage design and delivery decisions.
• Provide clear commercial insight, translating technical and market information into robust recommendations.
• Ensure governance, compliance and documentation standards are consistently applied across procurement activities.
• Manage supplier performance, identifying risks, opportunities and continuous improvement initiatives.

Skills

Procurement

RFx processes

Tender evaluation

Negotiation

Contract management

Supplier management

Stakeholder management

Cross-functional collaboration

Nuclear safety awareness

Job description

At Rolls-Royce SMR, we’re tackling the energy challenge head on by building the next generation of clean energy. We're developing innovative small modular reactors, making clean energy more accessible while creating a UK success story with the potential to transform energy systems around the world.Our Procurement function plays a critical role in building the supply chain capability required to deliver our first-of-a-kind SMR and future global fleet.In this context, we’re looking for a Senior Buyer to lead sourcing and commercial activity across site-based services, infrastructure and operational support packages. You’ll work closely with Programme, Construction, Engineering, Operations and Commercial teams to shape requirements, influence early decisions and ensure a robust, scalable and high-performing supply chain.We seek an inspiring and tenacious individual who will have had exposure in regulated or safety‑critical environments (as you would expect nuclear \"know-how\" will be of great interest to us, whilst those from defence, aerospace and manufacturing sectors may all have transferable capability).We will need your application to showcase your experience and knowledge in the following areas:Lead end-to-end procurement activity including pre-qualification, RFx processes, tender evaluation, negotiation and contract award.Build and manage a resilient and scalable supply base across siteworks, infrastructure, enabling works and operational services.Work collaboratively with cross-functional stakeholders to shape requirements and influence early-stage design and delivery decisions.Provide clear commercial insight, translating technical and market information into robust recommendations.Ensure governance, compliance and documentation standards are consistently applied across procurement activities.Manage supplier performance, identifying risks, opportunities and continuous improvement initiatives.You’ll bring:Proven experience in procurement across siteworks, operations, infrastructure or construction-related environments.Strong commercial acumen with hands-on experience delivering competitive tenders and negotiating supplier agreements.Ability to work across technical and commercial interfaces, including cost, programme and supply chain considerations.Strong stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence a wide range of audiences.Location & Ways of WorkingThis role can be based from our Derby, Manchester or Warrington offices, with hybrid working and regular engagement with stakeholders and suppliers.What’s In It for You?The salary for this role is £42,000 – £55,150, dependent on the skills, experience and values you bring.You’ll also receive:Bonus: Up to 12.5% (performance related)Personal Benefits Allowance: £2,200Pension: 12% employer / 6% employeeHolidays: 28 days + public holidays (option to buy/sell up to 4 days)Private Medical Insurance: BUPALife Assurance: 6× pensionable payHome Office Support: £250 one off payment for new startersWe offer a flexible, inclusive and supportive working environment, with opportunities for career growth in a rapidly scaling organisation. We value diversity, innovation and continuous learning.Pay Range:£42,000.00-£55,125.00Why Join Us?You’ll be joining a forward-thinking organisation that values transparency, fairness, and innovation. We offer:• A flexible, inclusive, and supportive working environment.• Opportunities for career growth in a rapidly scaling business.• A culture that values diversity, innovation, and continuous learning.We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all backgrounds. Inclusivity is important to us, and as a Disability Confident organisation, we are committed to fair, supportive, and continually improving recruitment practices that ensure everyone has the opportunity to thrive.Confidence can sometimes hold us back from applying for a job. But we'll let you in on a secret: there's no such thing as a 'perfect' candidate. If you feel you meet 75% of the requirements for this role, we would love to hear from you.Also, if you are considering a career move or a sector-jump, please get in touch – we welcome applications from people with transferable skills.Our Application ProcessDue to the safety regulations within the nuclear industry, applicants will be required to participate in additional screening. These are:• Obtaining Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) clearance• Satisfactory completion of a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check• Satisfactory completion of a basic financial probity check#LI-Hybrid