At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead procurement activities for high-value projects supporting the UK's rail infrastructure.
- Company: Network Rail, a key player in revitalising Britain's railway.
- Benefits: Hybrid working, competitive pay, and a commitment to diversity.
- Other info: Join a collaborative team with opportunities for career growth and development.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on major projects while developing your procurement skills.
- Qualifications: Strong public sector procurement experience and excellent stakeholder management skills.
The predicted salary is between 54000 - 66000 £ per year.
On behalf of Network Rail, we are looking for Senior Buyer x 2 for an 8 month contract based hybrid in either London Puddle Dock or Basingstoke. Office attendance is 3 days a week.
Network Rail is at the heart of revitalising Britain’s railway. From Crossrail - Europe’s largest civil engineering project - to investment in world-class stations and major programmes of electrification, we are involved in some of the most ambitious and diverse ventures that this country has ever seen. We at Network Rail are dedicated to becoming one of Britain's best employers and believe this starts with placing the candidate at the heart of everything we do!
Role Profile:
This is an exciting opportunity for Senior Buyers who thrive in complex public sector environments and want to influence high-value procurement projects that directly support the UK's rail infrastructure. Working within a collaborative and experienced commercial team, you will lead procurement activities from sourcing strategy through tender evaluation and contract award, helping to deliver best value, compliance, and commercial excellence across a diverse portfolio of services and works.
As a Senior Buyer, your main responsibilities will be to:
- Develop and implement procurement and sourcing strategies aligned to business objectives.
- Lead end-to-end tender processes in accordance with the Procurement Act 2023 and public procurement regulations.
- Conduct supplier engagement and pre-market activities.
- Prepare and evaluate tender documentation.
- Negotiate contractual and commercial terms.
- Produce high-quality strategy papers and procurement recommendations.
- Support governance and approval processes for high-value procurements.
- Build effective relationships with key stakeholders, project teams and suppliers.
- Provide commercial advice and support across multiple procurement projects.
- Drive value for money, sustainability and social value outcomes throughout procurement activities.
Essential:
- Strong public sector procurement experience.
- Knowledge of the Procurement Act 2023 and public procurement procedures.
- Experience managing high-value service or works procurements.
- Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills.
- Strong planning, organisation and project management ability.
- Understanding of NEC3 and/or NEC4 contracts.
- CIPS qualification or working towards MCIPS.
Desirable:
- Experience within transport, infrastructure, utilities, rail, construction, engineering or wider public sector organisations.
- Experience of using Jaggaer or understanding of Oracle applications.
Please be aware that this role can only be worked within the UK and not Overseas. Please note that Network Rail has a maximum 90-minute commute policy for all staff to the specified location for this role.
Network Rail is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity. They welcome applications from everyone.
Disability Confident: As a Disability Confident employer, Network Rail encourage applications from disabled and neurodivergent candidates. Applications from candidates who identify as having a disability and meet the essential criteria for the role will be prioritised for review. Where application volumes are high, additional role-specific and desirable criteria may be applied as part of the shortlisting process which may include holding active security clearance.
Armed Forces Covenant: As a signatory of the Armed Forces Covenant, Network Rail welcome applications from veterans, service leavers, reservists and military spouses or partners. Applications from eligible candidates who meet the essential criteria for the role will be prioritised for review. Where application volumes are high, additional role-specific and desirable criteria may be applied as part of the shortlisting process which may include holding active security clearance.
In applying for this role, you acknowledge the following: this role falls in scope of the Off Payroll Working in the Public Sector legislation. Any rates of payment quoted will reflect the gross rate per day for the assignment and will be subject to appropriate taxes and statutory costs. As such the payment to the intermediary and your income resulting from this contract will be different.
Senior Buyer in London employer: Public Sector Resourcing
Homes England is an exceptional employer, offering a unique opportunity to contribute to the National Housing Bank initiative aimed at enhancing housing delivery across England. With a strong focus on employee development and a collaborative work culture, team members are encouraged to grow their skills in real estate finance while making a meaningful impact in the community. The hybrid working model provides flexibility, allowing for a balanced work-life integration in a supportive environment dedicated to innovation and excellence.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Buyer 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 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 Public Sector Resourcing 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, Public Sector Resourcing 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 Public Sector Resourcing 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 Public Sector Resourcing 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 Public Sector Resourcing
✨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.
