Are you a proven Lead Buyer with experience delivering procurement strategy, tendering and subcontract awards within the nuclear sector (or similarly regulated, safety-critical industries)?
Can you confidently lead end-to-end procurement for complex packages — from market engagement and ITT/RFQ creation through evaluation, negotiation, governance approval and supplier performance management?
This is a high-impact opportunity to take ownership of critical procurement activity on a major, long-term programme — driving certainty, reducing risk and securing the right supply chain partners. If you’re looking for challenge, autonomy and real influence, read on and apply today.
The Opportunity
Join a project environment where procurement is treated as a key delivery function — valued at senior level, closely aligned with project controls and commercial teams, and expected to positively shape outcomes. You’ll be part of a collaborative culture that prizes high standards, robust governance, continuous improvement, and doing things the right way in a regulated setting — with genuine scope to make your mark.
The Role
As Lead Buyer, you’ll lead procurement and supply chain activity across major work packages, supporting successful programme delivery through strong planning, stakeholder management and supplier engagement. Day to day, you’ll be responsible for driving procurement strategy, running tender processes, ensuring compliance, and maintaining audit-ready documentation — while proactively managing supplier performance, risks and opportunities.
You will have the following qualifications & experience
- Proven experience leading end-to-end procurement and supply chain activity for major projects/programmes within nuclear or a similarly regulated sector (e.g., defence, energy, infrastructure).
- Expert capability developing procurement strategies, procurement schedules, bidder lists and package plans.
- Extensive experience producing RFQs/ITTs, tender packs, evaluation criteria, clarification logs and recommendation reports.
- Strong track record leading tender evaluations, commercial clarifications, negotiations and subcontract award recommendations.
- Strong working knowledge of NEC contracts and relevant subcontract forms, with confident commercial judgement.
- Proven ability to assess supplier capability, capacity, financial standing, safety, quality, sustainability and delivery performance.
- Experience operating within EPC/EPCM/framework/programme delivery environments.
- Strong stakeholder management skills, working effectively across engineering, construction, commercial, project controls, finance, legal, quality and H&S.
- A degree (or equivalent) in a relevant discipline (e.g., Procurement, Supply Chain, Commercial Management, Quantity Surveying, Construction Management, Law, Engineering, Finance), with a relevant professional procurement/commercial credential desirable.
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.
Lead Buyer in Wilmslow employer: Millbank
Millbank Holdings Ltd is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment where you can make a significant impact on critical defence infrastructure programmes. With a strong focus on employee development and collaboration, we provide opportunities for professional growth while fostering a culture of teamwork and innovation. Located in a vibrant area, our on-site roles allow you to engage directly with projects, ensuring your contributions are both meaningful and rewarding.
