Senior Buyer (maternity cover)

Millbank; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

Millbank Holdings Ltd is seeking an experienced Senior Buyer / Procurement Specialist to lead procurement activities across engineering, construction, nuclear, defence, power, and life sciences projects. This role offers hybrid working arrangements and exposure to high-profile programmes.

You will negotiate contracts, manage supplier relationships, and support contract management, with NEC4 PSC knowledge and SC eligibility as key requirements for selected project areas.

Qualifications

• Demonstrable procurement or supply chain experience within engineering, construction, infrastructure, or another technically complex industry.
• Strong knowledge of UK standard forms of contract, particularly NEC4 Professional Services Contracts (PSC).
• Experience supporting contract management activities, supplier negotiations, and procurement best practice.
• Understanding of UK procurement processes, commercial principles, and financial governance requirements.

Responsibilities

• Lead procurement activities across a diverse portfolio of engineering and project-based requirements.
• Engage with internal project teams, consultants, contractors, and suppliers to develop effective sourcing solutions.
• Support contract preparation, negotiation, award, and ongoing supplier performance management.
• Provide procurement expertise to ensure commercial risks are identified, mitigated, and appropriately managed.
• Build strong relationships with clients and stakeholders to support successful project delivery and procurement outcomes.

Skills

Procurement experience

Contract negotiations

Stakeholder management

Security clearance

Education

Bachelor's degree

MCIPS

Tools

COINS

Job description

Are you an experienced procurement professional looking to play a key role in delivering complex projects across highly regulated industries?

Do you have proven experience managing procurement activities within engineering, construction, nuclear, defence, power, or similarly technical environments?

Are you confident negotiating contracts and working with NEC4 PSC agreements while engaging with a wide range of stakeholders and suppliers?

The Opportunity

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced Senior Buyer / Procurement Specialist to join a leading engineering consultancy on a 12-month contract or fixed-term basis. Supporting major projects across regulated and technically complex sectors, you will play a vital role in delivering procurement strategies, managing supplier relationships, and ensuring commercial objectives are achieved. Based in a hybrid working environment, this role offers exposure to high-profile programmes within the nuclear, defence, power, and life sciences sectors.

We would also welcome applications from these industries

Nuclear, Defence, Energy, Utilities, Infrastructure, Life Sciences, Manufacturing, Pharmaceutical, Rail and Major Construction Projects.

This role would suit candidates working in these roles

Senior Buyer, Procurement Manager, Procurement Specialist, Supply Chain Manager, Category Manager, Commercial Procurement Lead, Strategic Buyer, Contracts Manager, Sourcing Manager, Procurement Business Partner.

Your duties and responsibilities will be

• Lead procurement activities across a diverse portfolio of engineering and project-based requirements.
• Engage with internal project teams, consultants, contractors, and suppliers to develop effective sourcing solutions.
• Support contract preparation, negotiation, award, and ongoing supplier performance management.
• Provide procurement expertise to ensure commercial risks are identified, mitigated, and appropriately managed.
• Build strong relationships with clients and stakeholders to support successful project delivery and procurement outcomes.

You will have the following qualifications and experience

• Demonstrable procurement or supply chain experience within engineering, construction, infrastructure, or another technically complex industry.
• Strong knowledge of UK standard forms of contract, particularly NEC4 Professional Services Contracts (PSC).
• Experience supporting contract management activities, supplier negotiations, and procurement best practice.
• Understanding of UK procurement processes, commercial principles, and financial governance requirements.
• MCIPS qualified, working towards MCIPS, or able to demonstrate equivalent procurement expertise gained through experience.
• Degree qualified or able to demonstrate relevant professional experience.
• Ability to obtain Security Clearance (SC), including sole British nationality requirements for certain project areas.
• Experience using COINS or similar procurement/ERP systems would be advantageous.

Millbank Holdings Ltd is an equal opportunities employer committed to creating an inclusive and diverse workforce. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified individuals, regardless of background, and encourage candidates from underrepresented groups to apply.

We are proud to be a member of the Disability Confident Scheme, and we are committed to ensuring an accessible and supportive recruitment process for everyone. If you require any adjustments at any stage, please let us know and we’ll do our best to accommodate.

Millbank operates as both an Employment Agency and an Employment Business.