At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage sourcing, purchase orders, and supplier engagement for critical construction projects.
- Company: Join Rolls-Royce SMR, a leader in clean energy solutions.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, performance bonus, flexible working, and personal development opportunities.
- Other info: Inclusive culture with career growth and a commitment to diversity.
- Why this job: Be part of a mission to deliver affordable energy and tackle global challenges.
- Qualifications: Experience in procurement within construction or engineering sectors is preferred.
The predicted salary is between 31875 - 39375 £ per year.
Rolls‑Royce SMR is on a mission to deliver clean, affordable energy for all. As the UK’s leading Small Modular Reactor programme, we’re building a British solution to a global energy challenge and shaping one of the country’s most significant green export opportunities. Our Procurement function is foundational to delivering our first SMR and enabling future fleet deployment. Within this, the Siteworks and Operations category plays a critical role—supporting major construction activity, civils delivery, site readiness and operational logistics essential to enabling a fast‑growing, engineering‑led programme.
To support this, we are recruiting a Buyer to run sourcing activity, manage purchase orders and support supplier engagement across a diverse, high‑value and operationally critical portfolio. Reporting into the Procurement Manager, this role will support the creation of commercial strategies, deliver procurement activity and help build a scalable, efficient supply base across siteworks, civils and operational categories.
What you’ll be doing
- Support sourcing and category activity across siteworks, civils and operations spend areas, ensuring delivery against cost, quality and schedule requirements.
- Run end‑to‑end procurement activities including RFQs/RFPs, evaluations, negotiation preparation, contract placement and supplier onboarding.
- Support the development of the supply base—identifying opportunities for cost efficiency, delivery improvement and supplier optimisation across construction and operational services.
- Work closely with stakeholders across Programme Delivery, Engineering and Operations to ensure early engagement and accurate requirements capture for major projects.
- Assist in implementing category strategies that drive standardisation, value for money and improved risk management across siteworks and logistics contracts.
- Analyse commercial, technical and market data to support recommendations and decision‑making.
- Maintain high standards of governance, compliance and documentation throughout the procurement lifecycle.
- Contribute to continuous improvement across processes, reporting, supplier performance management and contract frameworks.
This is a key role supporting operational readiness and large‑scale project delivery.
What you’ll bring
- Experience in procurement within civils, siteworks or large‑scale construction projects.
- Exposure to significant or complex project environments, ideally within regulated or engineering‑led sectors (e.g., energy, nuclear, infrastructure, rail, construction).
- Experience supporting siteworks delivery and operational procurement, including logistics and project‑based requirements.
- Understanding of collaborative working arrangements and construction contracts, with exposure to negotiation processes.
- Strong commercial awareness with experience running competitive tenders and supporting supplier negotiations.
- Confidence working with technical specifications, cost breakdowns and supplier performance data.
- Excellent stakeholder engagement skills, able to work effectively with operational, technical and commercial teams.
- MCIPS (or working towards) is desirable but not essential.
Location & Ways of Working
This role can be based from our Warrington (or Manchester) office. Hybrid working is standard, with regular weekly office attendance expected. Some travel may be required depending on supplier and business activity.
What’s in it for you?
- Salary: £31,875 – £39,375 depending on experience and benefits include:
- 7% performance‑related bonus
- Benefits Allowance – £2,200 to build a personalised package
- Pension – 12% employer, 6% employee
- Holidays – 28 days + public holidays (option to buy/sell up to 4 days)
- Private Medical Insurance – BUPA
- Life Assurance – 6× pensionable pay
- £250 one‑off home‑office setup payment
You’ll join a forward‑thinking, inclusive and innovative organisation offering:
- A flexible and supportive working environment
- Opportunities for career progression and professional development
- A culture that values diversity, innovation and continuous learning
We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all backgrounds. Inclusivity is important to us, and as a Disability Confident organisation, we are committed to fair, supportive, and continually improving recruitment practices that ensure everyone has the opportunity to thrive.
Confidence can sometimes hold us back from applying for a job. But we'll let you in on a secret: there's no such thing as a 'perfect' candidate. If you feel you meet 75% of the requirements for this role, we would love to hear from you. Also, if you are considering a career move or a sector-jump, please get in touch – we welcome applications from people with transferable skills.
Our Application Process
Due to the safety regulations within the nuclear industry, applicants will be required to participate in additional screening. These are:
- Obtaining Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) clearance
- Satisfactory completion of a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check
- Satisfactory completion of a basic financial probity check.
Buyer employer: Rolls-Royce SMR
As a Senior Layout and Assemblies Engineer at Rolls-Royce SMR, you will be part of a pioneering team dedicated to delivering clean, affordable energy solutions. With a strong focus on employee growth, we offer a competitive salary, performance-related bonuses, and a comprehensive benefits package, including private medical insurance and generous holiday allowances. Our hybrid working model supports work-life balance, while our commitment to inclusivity ensures a welcoming environment for all backgrounds.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Buyer
✨Get Savvy with Industry Perks
Join procurement and purchasing forums or groups where pros hang out, like CIPS (Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply). They'll share the inside scoop on job openings that might not show up on traditional job boards!
✨Show Off Your Skills
Consider creating a portfolio that outlines your achievements in procurement, like cost-saving initiatives or supplier management strategies. Having tangible evidence of your skills can really set you apart when applying to companies like Rolls-Royce SMR.
✨Tap into Your Network
Leverage LinkedIn to connect with professionals in procurement—follow relevant hashtags, join groups, and engage in discussions. This is a great way to get noticed by potential employers before they even post a job!
✨Keep Your Eyes on Job Boards
With full-time positions, timing can be everything. Set alerts on job boards specifically for procurement roles. Don't wait for a job posting to close; apply through our website as soon as you see a fit—being proactive can give you the edge!
We think you need these skills to ace Buyer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Procurement Know-How:When you're crafting your CV, make sure to highlight any procurement-specific skills you've got. Talk about your experience with supplier negotiations, cost analysis, or inventory management. If you’ve used software like SAP or Oracle, don’t forget to mention that too – it shows you know your way around the tech side of things!
Quantify Your Achievements:In procurement, numbers matter. Use your CV and cover letter to showcase any quantifiable achievements you've made in reducing costs or improving efficiencies. For example, mentioning that you helped save 20% on purchasing costs last year is way more impressive than just saying you managed the budget!
Tailor Your Cover Letter to Rolls-Royce SMR:Your cover letter should read like you’re chatting directly to Rolls-Royce SMR. Research the company’s procurement strategy, mention how your skills align with their goals, and share your enthusiasm for contributing to their success. This personal touch can really set you apart from the crowd!
Professional Certs Can Go a Long Way:If you've got any procurement-related certifications, such as CIPS or APICS, make sure they're front and centre on your CV. These qualifications show you're serious about your career in procurement and are committed to continuous learning. It’s a great way to signal your expertise and dedication to potential employers like Rolls-Royce SMR.
How to prepare for a job interview at Rolls-Royce SMR
✨Show Off Your Negotiation Skills
In procurement, strong negotiation skills are key. Be ready to share examples of past negotiations where you've successfully saved costs or improved supplier terms. We want to hear how you approached those situations and the strategies you used to achieve positive outcomes!
✨Know Your Tools
Make sure you’re familiar with procurement software and tools commonly used in the industry, such as SAP Ariba or Coupa. Come prepared to discuss any experiences you've had with these tools or similar platforms, as we need someone who can hit the ground running at Rolls-Royce SMR!
✨Understand Market Trends
As a procurement professional, being aware of market trends can set you apart. Brush up on recent developments in supply chain management or procurement best practices and think about how they could impact your role at Rolls-Royce SMR. Bringing a current perspective will show your enthusiasm for the industry.
✨Demonstrate Your Team Player Attitude
A full-time position means you'll be working closely with various teams. Be prepared to discuss how you collaborate with others, manage conflicts, and build relationships with stakeholders. Sharing anecdotes about past teamwork experiences will highlight your ability to fit into Rolls-Royce SMR's culture.
