Senior Buyer

North Yorkshire Police; Northallerton; Hybrid; GBP 41,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

A regional police authority located in Northallerton is seeking a Senior Buyer to efficiently manage procurement projects and commercial strategies that enhance service delivery across police and fire services. You'll play a crucial role in stakeholder engagement and procurement compliance, ensuring maximum value and performance. This full-time, permanent role offers a competitive salary between £41,487 and £47,046, along with various benefits including flexible working and professional development opportunities.

Benefits

Local Government Pension Scheme

Salary Sacrifice Car Scheme

Generous Annual Leave

Blue Light Discount

Flexi-Time for Staff Roles

Access to Trade Union Membership

Health & Wellbeing Services

Qualifications

• Qualified to or working towards CIPS Level 5/6 or have equivalent experience.
• Relevant experience in category management and delivering measurable procurement efficiencies.
• Strong track record of leading and managing procurement projects.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage procurement projects, ensuring effective delivery aligned with strategic objectives.
• Develop commercial strategies that support service delivery and maximise value.
• Provide expert commercial advice to senior stakeholders.

Skills

CIPS Level 5/6 (or equivalent experience)

Stakeholder engagement

Negotiation skills

Project management

Category management

Job description

Senior Buyer

(Senior Commercial Contract Officer)

Location: Northallerton, with the opportunity to work hybrid

Contract: Permanent

Hours: Full Time

Salary: £41,487 – 47,046 (NYP Scale PO1-4-PO 3-6)

Closing Date: 4th January 2026 at 5pm

The Opportunity

We are looking to appoint a Senior Buyer to join our well-established and high-performing Procurement Team.

This is an exciting time to join us as we continue to deliver a unified procurement service that adds real value across emergency services. In this role, you’ll lead on specific category spend areas and play a key part in delivering commercial strategies that support operational outcomes for both police and fire.

If you’re enthusiastic about public service, passionate about procurement, and ready to make a meaningful contribution, we’d love to hear from you. You’ll thrive in a collaborative environment and be part of a professional, forward-thinking team.

What you’ll be doing:

• Lead and manage procurement projects, ensuring effective delivery aligned with strategic objectives.
• Take ownership of category spend areas, developing commercial strategies that support service delivery and maximise value.
• Provide expert commercial advice to senior stakeholders, ensuring compliance with financial regulations, contract standing orders, and procurement legislation.
• Build strong relationships with suppliers and internal teams, ensuring contract performance meets or exceeds expectations.
• Identify and deliver quantifiable procurement savings and efficiencies through category management and collaborative opportunities.
• Analyse procurement data to reduce non-compliant spend and improve service delivery.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives and contribute to the development of procurement policies and procedures.
• Mentor and support Commercial Contract Officers, fostering professional growth and high standards of service.
• Champion excellent customer service and contribute to a procurement function that is agile, responsive, and aligned with organisational priorities.

What We’re Looking For:

• Be qualified to or working towards CIPS Level 5/6 or have equivalent experience.
• Have relevant experience in category management and delivering measurable procurement efficiencies.
• Demonstrate a strong track record of leading and managing procurement projects.
• Possess a solid understanding of procurement legislation and commercial governance.
• Be confident in stakeholder engagement, negotiation, and project management.
• Be excited about working for North Yorkshire Police and contributing to public service.
• Bring a collaborative mindset and a commitment to supporting both police and fire services in achieving their goals.

Why Join Us?

Working for the emergency services is both meaningful and impactful. At North Yorkshire Police & North Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service, we’re committed to helping colleagues reach their full potential in a fair, inclusive, and supportive environment. We value diverse perspectives and actively promote staff wellbeing so everyone can thrive. Please visit our websites to learn more about our organisation.

We’re also proud to provide a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your wellbeing, work‑life balance, and professional growth:

• Local Government Pension Scheme – secure and competitive retirement planning
• Salary Sacrifice Car Scheme – access to affordable vehicle leasing options
• Generous Annual Leave – 24 days rising to 30 with length of service, plus bank holidays
• Blue Light Discount – enjoy savings at major retailers and services
• Flexi‑Time for Staff Roles – tailor your working hours to suit your lifestyle while meeting team objectives
• Access to Trade Union Membership – opportunity to join UNISON
• Inclusion & Diversity Networks – connect with colleagues and contribute to a culture of belonging
• Health & Wellbeing Services – access to resources that support your physical and mental health

To be considered for this role, applicants must meet the following requirements:

• You must have the right to work in the UK, with no restrictions on your employment
• Hold a full UK manual driving licence
• Internal applicants must have successfully completed their probation period
• Meet residency requirements for vetting:
  • RV Level Vetting – minimum 3 years UK residency

Your Application

North Yorkshire Police and North Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service are equal opportunity employers. Both organisations are committed to creating an inclusive and supportive working environment. If you require any reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process or within your role, please declare this within your online application. A member of our team will contact you prior to your interview to ensure appropriate support is in place.

Safer Recruitment

North Yorkshire Police and North Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults. Safeguarding is a core part of our recruitment process, and we expect all applicants to share this commitment. All successful candidates will undergo a thorough recruitment process and must obtain satisfactory pre‑employment clearances before commencing employment, including satisfactory Vetting or DBS checks, references, and a medical assessment, including absence history. Adherence to our safeguarding policies and procedures is essential.

Ready to Apply?

As part of our selection process, we’ll assess your skills and experience against the requirements of the role. We therefore encourage you to take your time to tailor your application, ensuring your responses align with the job advert and role profile.

Interviews are scheduled to take place: Mid January 2026

We look forward to receiving your online application.