At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage procurement for professional services across exciting engineering projects.
- Company: Join Belcan Workforce Solutions, a leader in procurement and supply chain.
- Benefits: Competitive hourly rate, hybrid work model, and career development opportunities.
- Other info: Collaborative team environment with a focus on strategic procurement.
- Why this job: Influence high-impact projects in sectors like nuclear and defence.
- Qualifications: Experience in professional services procurement and strong contract management skills.
The predicted salary is between 45000 - 55000 £ per year.
Location: Manchester (Hybrid – 2 days in office)
Contract: 12 months (Maternity Cover) – Starting July 2026 (handover period available)
IR35 Status: Inside IR35
Rate: Competitive hourly rate
The Opportunity
Belcan Workforce Solutions is recruiting for a Senior Procurement Buyer to join a well-established Procurement & Supply Chain team, supporting a diverse portfolio of engineering and infrastructure projects. This is a fantastic opportunity to take ownership of professional services procurement (sub-consultancy) across both bid and project delivery phases. You’ll play a key role in shaping procurement strategies, enhancing supplier performance, and ensuring robust governance across complex, high-value programmes. The Senior Procurement Buyer will be working across high-profile sectors including nuclear, defence, power, and life sciences, with real scope to influence commercial outcomes.
Key Responsibilities
- Manage the end-to-end procurement of professional services (sub-consultancy agreements) across projects and bids
- Draft, negotiate, and administer contracts in collaboration with legal and commercial teams (NEC4 experience highly beneficial)
- Develop and manage supplier relationships, including onboarding, performance management, and compliance
- Provide market insight and cost intelligence to support bids and project delivery
- Ensure procurement activities align with governance standards, policies, and best practice
- Support the development and implementation of procurement strategies at project and business level
About You
You’ll be an experienced procurement professional with a track record in professional services procurement, ideally within engineering, construction or a similar project-led environment.
Key Experience & Skills:
- Experience managing professional services / consultancy procurement and contracts
- Strong understanding of the UK construction and engineering market
- Confidence in contract drafting, negotiation, and administration
- Working knowledge of NEC contracts (particularly NEC4 PSC)
- Ability to balance stakeholder engagement with governance and compliance
- Highly organised, with the ability to manage multiple priorities
- Strong communication skills with the confidence to challenge and influence stakeholders
Why Apply?
- Work across complex, high-impact projects in regulated sectors
- Play a hands-on, commercially influential role
- Gain exposure to strategic procurement and contract management
- Join a collaborative and experienced procurement function
✅ Apply now through Belcan Workforce Solutions to take the next step in your procurement career.
Senior Buyer in Bolton employer: Belcan
Belcan Workforce Solutions is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in Manchester that fosters collaboration and professional growth. With a focus on high-profile sectors such as nuclear and defence, employees have the opportunity to engage in meaningful projects while benefiting from a hybrid work model that promotes work-life balance. The company prioritises employee development through exposure to strategic procurement practices and a supportive team culture, making it an ideal place for those looking to advance their careers in procurement.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Buyer in Bolton
✨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 in Bolton
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 Belcan 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, Belcan 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 Belcan 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 Belcan 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 Belcan
✨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.
