Senior Buyer

Great British Energy Group; Swindon; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 60,000; Part time

Job summary

Network Rail is seeking a Senior Buyer for an 18‑month contract based in Swindon, working 3 days a week. You will support the development and delivery of procurement strategies while ensuring value and compliance.

Responsibilities include tender preparation and evaluation, contract negotiation, post‑contract commercial management, and supplier relationship oversight to maximise contract value across multiple projects.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of relevant contract terms and procurement practices.
• Strong negotiation and supplier management skills.
• Experience in developing contracting strategies and tender evaluation.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement contracting strategy proposals including tender preparation and contract negotiation.
• Provide post‑contract commercial management support for a range of contracts.
• Support senior staff on projects and contract/commercial issues, including rapid response to potential disputes.
• Identify opportunities to improve procurement of goods/services and select preferred suppliers.
• Conduct contract management meetings with key stakeholders to ensure maximum value from contracts.
• Endorsement and approval of contract variations as required.
• Deliver services to project teams in a timely and cost‑effective manner to meet programme objectives.

Skills

Contractual & commercial knowledge

Negotiation

Procurement

Supplier management

Job description

On behalf of Network Rail, we are looking for a Senior Buyer for a 18 month Contract Until March 2028 contract based in Swindon 3 days per week.Network Rail is at the heart of revitalising Britain’s railway. From Crossrail - Europe’s largest civil engineering project - to investment in world-class stations and major programmes of electrification, we are involved in some of the most ambitious and diverse ventures that this country has ever seen. We at Network Rail are dedicated to becoming one of Britain's best employers and believe this starts with placing the candidate at the heart of everything we do!As a Senior Buyer, you will be responsible for supporting the development and delivery of procurement and contracting strategies, ensuring commercial value is maximised while maintaining compliance with organisational policies and procedures.As a Senior Buyer, your main responsibilities will be:* 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.Essential:* 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.* Strong negotiation skills.Desirable:* Membership of appropriate professional institution.Please be aware that this role can only be worked within the UK and not Overseas.Please note that Network Rail has a maximum 90-minute commute policy for all staff to the specified location for this role.Network Rail is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity. They welcome applications from everyone.Disability ConfidentAs a Disability Confident employer, Network Rail encourage applications from disabled and neurodivergent candidates. Applications from candidates who identify as having a disability and meet the essential criteria for the role will be prioritised for review. Where application volumes are high, additional role-specific and desirable criteria may be applied as part of the shortlisting process which may include holding active security clearance.Armed Forces CovenantAs a signatory of the Armed Forces Covenant, Network Rail welcome applications from veterans, service leavers, reservists and military spouses or partners. Applications from eligible candidates who meet the essential criteria for the role will be prioritised for review. Where application volumes are high, additional role-specific and desirable criteria may be applied as part of the shortlisting process which may include holding active security clearance.In applying for this role, you acknowledge the following \"this role falls in scope of the Off Payroll Working in the Public Sector legislation. Any rates of payment quoted will reflect the gross rate per day for the assignment and will be subject to appropriate taxes and statutory costs. As such the payment to the intermediary and your income resulting from this contract will be different\".