At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead procurement for diverse projects, shaping strategies and managing supplier relationships.
- Company: Join BakerHicks, a forward-thinking company with a collaborative culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, great benefits, and a hybrid working model.
- Other info: Opportunity for career growth in a dynamic and inclusive environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on projects while enhancing your procurement skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in procurement, contract management, and strong communication skills required.
The predicted salary is between 54000 - 66000 £ per year.
We’re looking for a Senior Buyer to join our Procurement & Supply Chain team on a 12‑month fixed-term contract (maternity cover), based in Manchester with a hybrid working arrangement. This is a great opportunity to play a key role within our Professional Services supply chain, supporting a diverse portfolio of projects across BakerHicks. You’ll work closely with both work-winning and project delivery teams, shaping procurement strategies, strengthening supplier relationships, and ensuring robust commercial and governance standards are met throughout the project lifecycle.
The role involves taking ownership of the end-to-end procurement and management of Professional Services (Sub-Consultancy) Agreements, ensuring compliance, efficiency, and strong supplier performance. Key areas of focus include:
- Managing the full lifecycle of Professional Services procurement across projects and bids
- Drafting, negotiating, and administering contracts in partnership with legal and commercial teams
- Developing and managing the Professional Services supply chain, including onboarding, performance, and compliance
- Providing market insight and cost data to support bidding and project delivery
- Ensuring adherence to governance, quality, and procurement best practice
- Supporting procurement strategy development at both project and business level
You’ll be an experienced procurement professional, ideally from within engineering, construction, or a related project-led environment, who is comfortable operating across complex, multi-stakeholder projects. You’ll bring:
- Comprehensive experience managing professional services procurement and contracts
- A solid understanding of the UK construction and engineering market
- Confidence in contract drafting, negotiation, and administration
- The ability to balance stakeholder relationships with compliance and governance requirements
- A proactive, organised approach with the ability to manage multiple priorities
- Sound communication skills, including the assurance to challenge and influence where needed
Key requirements include:
- Working knowledge of UK model forms of contract, particularly NEC4 PSC
- Experience advising on procurement practices and contract management
- Good understanding of UK procurement and finance legislation
- Experience with COINS (desirable)
- MCIPS (or working towards)
- Relevant degree or equivalent experience
You’ll be joining a team that values collaboration, continuous improvement, and constructive challenge. There’s real scope in this role to shape procurement approaches, enhance supply chain performance, and contribute to successful project outcomes across the business.
Many of the positions within our company are subject to security clearance or security assurance levels. The successful candidate must be able to obtain and maintain the appropriate level of security clearance or assurance level for this role, in line with client and sector requirements. In some cases, additional nationality or residency criteria may also apply due to specific client or national security obligations.
BakerHicks has been innovating in design, engineering and project delivery since 1957 and operates from 14 locations for a truly European reach. Our network of offices are appealing, friendly and comfortable spaces, easily accessible by car or public transport. And our salary and benefits packages are some of the best in the industry.
BakerHicks is an equal opportunity employer. We care about creating an inclusive atmosphere and are committed to promoting diversity and inclusion throughout. BakerHicks is an inclusive organisation welcoming talent from all backgrounds. Applicants are assessed on the basis of personal merit and qualifications.
Senior Buyer Procurement - Maternity Cover (Contract/FTC) in London employer: BakerHicks
BakerHicks is an exceptional employer located in Motherwell, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters innovation and collaboration in the power and energy sectors. With a strong commitment to professional development, employees benefit from hybrid working arrangements and a comprehensive benefits package, making it an ideal place for those seeking meaningful and rewarding careers in engineering.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Buyer Procurement - Maternity Cover (Contract/FTC) in London
✨Get Involved in Local Procurement Meetups
Join local procurement and purchasing groups on platforms like Meetup or Eventbrite. These gatherings are great for networking with industry professionals, sharing insights, and potentially hearing about temporary roles that might not be widely advertised!
✨Seasonal Hiring Cycles are Your Friend!
Keep an eye on seasonal trends in procurement, as many companies ramp up hiring during certain times of the year – especially around end-of-financial-year periods when budgets are being utilised. Be proactive and reach out to companies directly during these windows.
✨Leverage Online Platforms for Temporary Roles
Don’t forget to browse specific job boards dedicated to temporary positions, such as Reed or Indeed. You can filter your search for procurement roles and set up alerts for when new jobs pop up, so you can apply immediately!
✨Showcase Your Skills on Professional Networks
Create short case studies or posts on LinkedIn showcasing your procurement experience or interesting projects you've tackled. This not only builds your visibility but can also attract recruiters looking for temporary talent like you!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Buyer Procurement - Maternity Cover (Contract/FTC) in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Relevant Experience:When applying for a temporary role in procurement-purchasing, it's crucial to highlight any relevant experience you have. Mention specific tasks like negotiating contracts, managing supplier relationships, or optimising inventory. This will show BakerHicks that you can hit the ground running!
Keep it Concise and Impactful:For a temporary role, we recommend keeping your CV and cover letter concise. Focus on key achievements that showcase your procurement skills and any immediate impact you’ve made in past roles. Use bullet points for clarity—this way, BakerHicks can quickly grasp your capabilities!
Include Relevant Certifications:If you’ve got any certifications that are relevant to procurement, like CIPS (Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply), don’t forget to mention them! This adds extra weight to your application and shows BakerHicks that you're serious about your professional development.
Emphasise Flexibility and Availability:Since this is a temporary position, make sure to emphasise your availability and flexibility in your cover letter. Let BakerHicks know when you can start and that you’re ready to adapt to their needs, making your application even more appealing!
How to prepare for a job interview at BakerHicks
✨Know Your Procurement Basics
Brush up on key procurement concepts and terms, like 'total cost of ownership' and 'supplier relationships'. We want to impress them with our knowledge! Being able to talk fluently about relevant techniques and tools specific to the procurement field will definitely lend credibility.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
In a purchasing role, you might get thrown some real-world scenarios to assess how you’d handle supplier negotiations or cost-saving strategies. Be ready to demonstrate your problem-solving skills! Practising how you'd tackle these situations in advance will help us shine during the interview.
✨Highlight Your Flexibility and Adaptability
Since it’s a temporary role, emphasise how you can quickly adapt to new processes and environments. Share examples of past experiences where you’ve tackled new challenges with ease, showing they can rely on us to hit the ground running and contribute immediately!
✨Show Off Your Tech Savvy
Being well-versed in procurement software like SAP or Coupa can set us apart from other candidates. If you've got experience with these tools, be sure to mention it! Having a handle on data analysis and reporting will also demonstrate our capability to leverage technology effectively in procurement.
