Senior Buyer

Network Rail; Milton Keynes; Hybrid; GBP 44,000 - 53,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Up to 28 days annual leave

Rail travel subsidies

Pension options

Flexible working arrangements

Discounts on shopping

Gym memberships

Job summary

Network Rail is seeking a procurement and commercial professional to join the Supply Chain Operations team in Milton Keynes. The role focuses on developing contracting strategies, managing post-contract activities and supporting senior staff on projects and contract issues.

Based in The Quadrant, Milton Keynes, you’ll work 35 hours weekly with hybrid working. The package includes a Band 4C salary (£43,588–£53,167), generous benefits, and opportunities for development.

Qualifications

• Recognised skills in contractual and commercial matters.
• Successful procurement background with practical experience.
• Experience maintaining relationships with suppliers.
• Knowledge of relevant contract terms.
• Membership of appropriate professional institution (desirable).

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement contracting strategy proposals including preparation and evaluation of tender documents and negotiation of contracts.
• Provide post contract commercial management support for a range of contracts.
• Provide dedicated support to senior staff in respect of individual projects and/or contract/commercial issues, including rapid response to potential contract disputes.
• Target specific goods, services and/or suppliers to identify improvements in procurement.
• Undertake regular contract management meetings with key stakeholders and suppliers to monitor value delivered via contract.
• Endorsements and approval of contract variations.
• Provide all services to programme/project teams in a timely and cost effective manner.

Job description

Are you ready to make a difference in people's lives? At Network Rail, we connect passengers and freight customers, ensuring safe and efficient transportation across the country. We're an organisation where people truly matter, and when you join us, you matter to us and millions of others.

We're committed to creating a diverse, inclusive workplace that reflects the communities we serve.

We value flexibility and understand the importance of a healthy work-life balance. As a Disability Confident Leader , we'll do everything we can to accommodate any needs throughout the recruitment process.

About our people and the recruitment process - We're an inclusive employer of choice and we welcome applications from everyone!We encourage our colleagues to work flexibly, as we know traditional working patterns don't always fit. If you want to consider working flexibly, just let us know and we'll do our best to help and invest in your career with us ,whilst you have a healthy work life balance.

Investing in our people is key to enhancing the safety, reliability, and efficiency of our railway system. If you're passionate about making a meaningful impact, then this opportunity is for you!

If you're ready to make a real difference, we'd love to hear from you!

Route Services is a division of Network Rail that provides the Routes with services so they can help Network Rail deliver a better railway for a better Britain. We support the Routes with a myriad of services and supplies they need to maintain and operate the railway.

This role sits within Supply Chain Operations (SCO), an area of the business which supplies and delivers the logistics, materials, components, rail and road fleet that enable the maintenance and renewal of the railway.

SCO keeps the materials, machinery and components required by its customersmoving - making sure they are on-site when neededso work cango ahead as planned and on schedule.

Vacancy type: This role is a permanent role.

Location: This position is based inThe Quadrant, Milton Keynes.

Hours: 35 hours per week with hybrid working (whilst initial training is completed 4 days a week in the office then 3 days a week) with some travel to supplier sites and other NR operational sites as required . Flexible working can be considered.

Salary range:Band 4C, £43,588 to £53,167 per annum,depending on skills and experience.

Closing date: 13 October 2026. Late applicants will not be accepted. This role is being advertised internally and externally.

You will need to complete a supporting statement addressing how you meet the essential criteria, please complete this as part of the application process and add this to your CV in one document. Applicants who do not complete this statement will not be shortlisted. Please see attached guide - How to complete Supporting Statement.

At Network Rail you will have a clear development path, access to training and enjoy a range of employee benefits, such as; up to 28 days annual leave, rail travel subsidies, a range of pension options, flexible and agile working arrangements, discounts on shopping, gym memberships and much more.

If you would like to speak the ResourcingTeam,please contact [e-mail].

Below are some examples of adjustments we can make:

• Changing a provision, practice or 'the way things are done' For example, we can give candidates extra time to complete online, tasks or interviews as needed.
• Changing a physical feature of our workplace For example, office/room layout can be adapted to accommodate individual needs.
• Providing extra equipment or assistance For example, we can provide sign language interpreters and support workers where needed. Alternative document formats can be made available.

There are lots of other adjustments we can consider - please just ask!

The recruitment process will consist of shortlisted candidates being invited to take part in the following.

• Competency Based Interview

Candidates who are shortlisted for interview will be contacted by phone or email.

Your experience and skills

Key Accountabilities

Will have experience in the following:

• Develop and implement individual project and steady state contracting strategy proposals including preparation and evaluation of tender documents and negotiation of contracts.
• Provide post contract commercial management support for a range of contracts.
• Provide dedicated support to senior staff in respect of individual projects and/or contract/commercial issues, including 'rapid response' to potential contract disputes.
• Target specific goods, services and/or suppliers to identify how tangible improvements may be made in the procurement of these goods and services.
• Undertake regular contract management meetings with key stakeholders and suppliers to monitor whether maximum value was delivered via contract.
• Manage responsibilities for endorsements and approval of contract variations
• Provide all services to programme/project teams in a timely and cost effective manner and contribute positively towards the achievement of programme/project objectives

What are the essential skills and experience we're looking for?

• Recognised skills in contractual and commercial matters, with credibility and experience to act as advisor to other staff.
• Successful procurement background with practical intermediate level experience.
• Contributed towards maintaining successful relationships with suppliers.
Knowledge of relevant contract terms.

We would also like, but it's not essential:

• Membership of appropriate professional institution.