Senior Buyer in Potters Bar

As part of the Procurement team and reporting directly to the Head of Procurement, the Senior Buyer is responsible for delivering effective, value-driven procurement of materials and services to support operational delivery across civils and utility projects within the power, gas, and communications sectors. The role provides leadership within the procurement function and ensures strong supplier performance, robust commercial governance, and effective stakeholder engagement.

HOW YOU’LL SUCCEED

• Providing day-to-day supervision and guidance to Buyers and Procurement Administrators, including workload allocation, prioritisation, and development support.
• Holding end-to-end responsibility for the procurement of goods and services supporting civils and utility projects across power, gas, and communications.
• Leading commercial negotiations and the placement, management, and progression of purchase orders, ensuring value for money, quality, and specification compliance.
• Managing designated procurement categories, driving standardisation, value improvement, and supplier performance.
• Utilising procurement systems to raise purchase orders, manage data, and produce accurate and timely procurement reports.
• Proactively expediting orders and managing supply risks to support programme delivery and minimise disruption.
• Acting as a key procurement interface with project teams and attending project and operational meetings as required.

GENERAL DUTIES

• Developing and maintaining strong, collaborative relationships with key suppliers and subcontractors, including leading supplier meetings and quarterly business reviews.
• Supporting supplier onboarding, ongoing performance measurement, and the management of non-conformances and corrective actions.
• Monitoring, reviewing, and maintaining pricing changes within procurement systems and ensuring transparency of cost movements.
• Analysing market conditions, supply and demand trends, and risk factors to secure competitive pricing and continuity of supply.
• Working closely with internal stakeholders including Operations, Commercial, Finance, and Project Teams to align procurement activity with business needs.
• Managing and resolving invoice queries and discrepancies in a timely and effective manner.
• Producing regular procurement, cost, and supplier performance reports for senior stakeholders.
• Actively promoting a diverse and inclusive working environment in line with company values.
• Positively representing and promoting the company brand with suppliers and external stakeholders.
• Contributing to continuous improvement initiatives across procurement processes, systems, and ways of working.
• Ensuring full compliance with company policies, procedures, governance requirements, and ethical standards.

COMPETENCY DESCRIPTION

• Demonstrates strong commercial judgement and a value-driven approach to procurement.
• Applies category management principles to optimise cost, quality, risk, and supplier performance.
• Manages end-to-end procurement activity within complex, project-based environments.
• Builds and maintains effective relationships with internal stakeholders and external suppliers.
• Leads by example within the procurement function, supporting governance, consistency, and best practice.
• Identifies and mitigates supply chain risks through proactive planning and supplier engagement.
• Uses data and insight to inform decision-making, reporting, and continuous improvement initiatives.

SKILLS, EXPERIENCE & QUALIFICATIONS

• CIPS Level 4 or above, or working towards (preferred but not essential).
• Significant experience operating as a Senior Buyer or equivalent within civils, utilities, power, gas, communications, or related infrastructure sectors.
• Proven experience delivering end-to-end procurement for materials and services in project-led environments.
• Strong commercial and negotiation skills with a demonstrable focus on value, risk, and performance.
• Experience of category management and supplier performance management.
• Confident stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to influence at all organisational levels.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving capability, with the ability to interpret procurement and market data.
• Proficient in the use of procurement systems and Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel.
• Experience of overseas procurement, particularly within Germany and/or Sweden, is desirable but not essential.

PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES

• Professional, credible, and confident in approach.
• Proactive and self-motivated, with a strong sense of ownership and accountability.
• Resilient and adaptable, able to manage pressure and shifting priorities.
• Collaborative and inclusive, contributing positively to team culture and ways of working.
• High levels of integrity, discretion, and confidentiality.
• Committed to continuous improvement and ongoing professional development.

WHAT WE OFFER YOU

• Participation in mentoring and coaching programmes
• 28 days of holiday (excluding bank holidays)
• 2 paid volunteering days a year
• Continuous training and development, in both technical and business skills