Senior Buyer

Senior Buyer

Glasgow Full-Time 43200 - 72000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead procurement for a major infrastructure project, ensuring efficient sourcing and strong supplier relationships.
  • Company: Join Balfour Beatty, a leader in power transmission and distribution.
  • Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, generous leave, and a supportive family-friendly environment.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact on Scotland's energy future while developing your career.
  • Qualifications: Experience in procurement and supply chain management; MCIPS preferred.
  • Other info: Diverse and inclusive workplace with excellent growth opportunities.

The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.

Join Balfour Beatty and play a pivotal role in delivering one of Scotland's most significant infrastructure projects – the Skye 132kV Reinforcement Project. This ambitious scheme spans from Fort Augustus on the mainland to Edinbane on the Isle of Skye, combining overhead line and underground cable works to strengthen the region's power network.

You will lead end‐to‐end procurement activities, ensuring seamless sourcing of subcontracts, materials, plant, and equipment, building strong supply‐chain relationships, driving innovation and embedding collaborative working practices that deliver real value.

Location: Maxim Office (Eurocentral) – with visits to the Skye Project site every 3 weeks.

What You Will Be Doing:

  • Develop and implement procurement strategies for the Skye Project and beyond.
  • Manage procurement schedules and tender processes – from RFQs and ITTs to evaluation and award recommendations.
  • Negotiate high‐value contracts that deliver efficiency, savings, and quality.
  • Build long‐term partnerships with suppliers, focusing on continuous improvement and social value.
  • Monitor supply chain performance and provide insightful reporting to stakeholders.
  • Stay ahead of market trends, identifying new suppliers and innovative solutions.
  • Champion sustainability, safety, and compliance in everything you do.

Who We Are Looking For:

  • Proven experience in procurement and supply chain management within construction, utilities, or related sectors.
  • Strong commercial awareness, negotiation skills, and a track record of delivering value.
  • Ability to manage complex tenders and contracts with confidence.
  • MCIPS qualification (or equivalent) preferred; Oracle R12 experience is a plus.
  • Knowledge of Category Management, SRM, and SPM desirable.
  • A proactive, collaborative mindset with excellent communication skills.

Benefits:

  • Smart working: flexible schedules, up to 40% remote working where roles allow.
  • 25 days paid annual leave (pro rata).
  • Family friendly policies: 28 weeks full pay maternity/adoption leave and 4 weeks full pay paternity/partners leave.
  • Pension, share incentive plan, volunteering leave, recognition schemes and much more.

About Us: Balfour Beatty's Power Transmission & Distribution teams work with regional, national and international electricity network owners and operators to provide technical engineering solutions across the full spectrum of the electricity grid. From scoping and feasibility to design, construction and ongoing maintenance, our in‐house experts support customers in the development of some of the UK's most ambitious power transmission and distribution projects.

Diversity and Inclusion: We believe diversity and inclusion are essential components of any successful workplace. We are committed to fostering an inclusive culture and have partnered with WISE, enei, the Business Disability Forum and the Association for Black and Minority Ethnic Engineers (AFBE). We encourage applications from Armed Forces personnel, veterans and reservists.

As a Disability Confident Employer, we provide an interview for applicants with disabilities if they meet the minimum requirements. For more info, visit Disability Confident.

We welcome feedback on our resourcing process to ensure it remains fair and inclusive for all. For more information, contact candidaterecruitmentqueries@balfourbeatty.com.

Senior Buyer employer: Balfour Beatty plc

Balfour Beatty is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment that champions innovation and collaboration in delivering critical infrastructure projects like the Skye 132kV Reinforcement Project. With flexible working arrangements, generous leave policies, and a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion, employees are empowered to grow professionally while contributing to meaningful initiatives that enhance the power network in Scotland. The company's focus on sustainability and employee well-being makes it a truly rewarding place to build a career.
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Contact Detail:

Balfour Beatty plc Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Senior Buyer

Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to industry contacts, attend relevant events, and connect with people on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.

Tip Number 2

Prepare for interviews by researching the company and the role thoroughly. Understand Balfour Beatty's projects and values, especially the Skye 132kV Reinforcement Project, so you can show how your skills align perfectly with their needs.

Tip Number 3

Practice your negotiation skills! As a Senior Buyer, you'll need to demonstrate your ability to negotiate high-value contracts. Role-play scenarios with friends or mentors to build confidence before the real deal.

Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you're serious about joining the team at Balfour Beatty and contributing to exciting projects like the Skye initiative.

We think you need these skills to ace Senior Buyer

Procurement Strategies
Supply Chain Management
Contract Negotiation
Commercial Awareness
Tender Management
Supplier Relationship Management (SRM)
Category Management
Oracle R12
Communication Skills
Collaboration
Market Trend Analysis
Sustainability Practices
Problem-Solving Skills
Reporting and Analytics

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Senior Buyer role. Highlight your procurement experience and any relevant projects you've worked on, especially in construction or utilities. We want to see how your skills align with what we're looking for!

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about the Skye 132kV Reinforcement Project and how you can contribute to our goals. Keep it engaging and personal – we love to see your personality come through.

Showcase Your Achievements: Don't just list your responsibilities; showcase your achievements! Use specific examples of how you've delivered value in previous roles, whether through cost savings, innovative solutions, or strong supplier relationships. We want to know what makes you stand out!

Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us quickly and efficiently. Plus, you'll find all the details you need about the role and our company culture there!

How to prepare for a job interview at Balfour Beatty plc

Know Your Procurement Strategies

Make sure you brush up on procurement strategies relevant to the Skye Project. Be ready to discuss how you would develop and implement these strategies, showcasing your understanding of the construction and utilities sectors.

Showcase Your Negotiation Skills

Prepare examples of high-value contracts you've negotiated in the past. Highlight how these negotiations delivered efficiency and savings, as this will demonstrate your strong commercial awareness and ability to manage complex tenders.

Build Relationships

Emphasise your experience in building long-term partnerships with suppliers. Discuss how you focus on continuous improvement and social value, as this aligns with the company's commitment to collaborative working practices.

Stay Ahead of Market Trends

Research current market trends and be prepared to discuss innovative solutions or new suppliers you’ve identified. This shows your proactive mindset and commitment to driving innovation within the procurement process.

Senior Buyer
Balfour Beatty plc
Location: Glasgow
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