Senior Buyer

Civil Works Alliance; Nacton; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Market leading salaries

Generous annual leave

Pension scheme

Job summary

Civil Works Alliance (CWA) is seeking a Senior Buyer to lead end-to-end procurement for the Sizewell C project, a 3.2-gigawatt new nuclear power station delivering low-carbon electricity for around 6 million homes.

You will develop procurement strategies, run RFQs/ITTs, evaluate returns, and make sourcing recommendations to award contracts, ensuring governance and compliance. The role emphasizes local SME engagement within a robust procurement framework.

Qualifications

• Understanding procurement and commercial principles.
• Strong negotiation skills.
• Knowledge of legal and contracting law.
• Excellent supplier relationship management.
• Risk and opportunity management skills.
• Strong procurement strategy understanding.
• Good product knowledge.
• High attention to detail and clear communication.
• Excellent analytical abilities and commercial awareness.
• Disciplined approach to process compliance.

Responsibilities

• Develop and deliver procurement strategies for high-value packages.
• Implement procurement strategies and processes.
• Procure complex packages per governance and guidelines.
• Establish project governance.
• Coordinate commercial and technical tender reviews.
• Collaborate with commercial teams in contract negotiations.
• Provide robust recommendations for formal award approvals.
• Draft and execute contracts per procurement guidelines.
• Develop the project supplier database and track engagement.
• Support local SME engagement and sustainable procurement plans.

Skills

Procurement principles

Negotiation

Legal contracting law

Supplier relationship management

Risk & opportunity management

Procurement strategy design

Product knowledge

Attention to detail

Analytical skills

Compliance

Job description

Help Shape the UK’s Energy Future

Senior Buyer Opportunity with the Civil Works Alliance (CWA), Supporting Sizewell C

As part of the CWA (Civil Works Alliance), you will support the building of Sizewell C. Sizewell C will be a 3.2-gigawatt power station generating low-carbon electricity for around 6 million homes and will play a key role in our energy future, supplying reliable, clean electricity for at least 60 years. This role will be within the Enabling and Earthwork Section.

What will you do?

The Senior Buyer will be primarily accountable for the management of the end-to-end procurement activities for the sourcing of subcontract packages. Activities will include compiling procurement strategies, preparation of RFQs/ITTs, management and evaluation of returns, and making sourcing recommendation to award contracts.

Key Responsibilities

• Development and delivery of procurement strategies for project wide and / or high value packages.
• Implementation of procurement strategies and processes.
• Carrying out the procurement process for complex packages in accordance with procurement and supply chain management strategies.
• Establishing project governance.
• Leading the co-ordination of the commercial and technical reviews of tender returns, as appropriate.
• Working with commercial teams in contract negotiation and carrying out commercial checks for suppliers and past performance.
• Robust and complete recommendations for formal award approval(s).
• Drafting, issue and execution of contracts, in accordance with project procurement guidelines and governance.
• Development of the project supplier database – market assessments; track effectiveness of engagement; prequalification status; and bid support performance.
• Development of local, diverse and SME engagement strategies.
• Assist in hosting Meet the Buyer Events and community advertising.
• Support the development of the Local Sustainable Procurement Plan through liaison with Parent Company experts.
• Apply a consistent approach to the responsible procurement of goods and services, ensuring compliance with professional standards, current legislation, and nuclear regulations.
• Supply chain performance management and reporting.

What are we looking for?

Knowledge & Skills

Essential:

• Demonstrable understanding of procurement and commercial principles.
• Negotiation skills.
• Thorough understanding of Legal & contracting law.
• Excellent supplier relationship management.
• Risk & opportunity management skills.
• Thorough understanding of project procurement strategies.
• Product knowledge.
• High attention to detail, ability to adopt and learn at a phase, clearly and consistently articulate and update agreed strategy.
• Excellent analytical skills, strong commercial awareness, a measured approach to decision making and the ability to ensure best value procurement.
• The ability to adopt a pragmatic, yet disciplined approach to process compliance.

Experience & Qualifications

Essential:

• Substantial experience of complex procurement processes within a construction or major projects related environment.
• Experience in design and delivery of category and/or procurement package strategies to a high and consistent level.
• Proven track record in managing supplier relationships, negotiation and process compliance.

Key Behavioural Competencies

Humility

• Recognises the value brought from different cultures and experiences.
• Open to other’s points of view and ideas, willing to debate and to compromise.

Positivity

• Positively challenges poor quality and performance.
• Identifies solutions at the lowest possible level.
• Encourages tier 1s and others to bring new ideas forward.

Respect

• Values the rules and environment in which we operate.
• Gives and receives feedback with respect.
• Embraces and engages with new people and ideas.

Solidarity

• Operates as ‘One team’, working closely together and helping each other.
• Empowers team – empowered teams always looking forward.
• Shares responsibility for delivering the project outcomes.

Clarity

• Communicates clearly and consistently.
• Promotes collaboration and team alignment.
• Clear and fast decision making.
• Drives simplification at all levels.

What we will offer you?

• The CWA is a single delivery organisation made of up of the client (Sizewell C) and three parent companies - Balfour Beatty, Bouygues and Laing O'Rourke - which offer industry leading packages including market leading salaries, generous annual leave entitlements, pension scheme and other flexible benefits.

About Us

The CWA celebrates the creativity and innovation that comes from a diverse workforce, and we welcome applications from people of all backgrounds — especially those from under‑represented communities.

Our project is built on five core values: Humility, Positivity, Respect, Solidarity, and Clarity.

By joining us, you’ll be encouraged to bring your whole self to work, speak up, and share your ideas.

We encourage applications from all suitably qualified candidates, regardless of gender, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital status, or pregnancy and maternity.

We are committed to protecting your privacy. If you decide to apply, please avoid including sensitive personal data in your CV.