Procurement Buyer

SP Electricity North West manages and invests in the power network that supplies electricity to the 2.4m homes and businesses across the North West. Our 2,400 colleagues manage the 13,000km of overhead lines, 44,000km of underground cables and thousands of electricity substations to keep power flowing and supporting green growth. We’re one of six distribution network operators in the UK and are regulated by Ofgem. We’re proud that in December 2024 we were named Utility of the Year by Utility Week magazine who said we punched above our weight and used innovation to solve some of the industry’s most difficult challenges. Come and be part of our team and make a difference.

A Fantastic Opportunity: Buyer (Procurement) – Initial 6-month contract - £600 per day Inside IR35. The Buyer role is responsible for delivering short‑term sourcing events and full end‑to‑end tenders within a defined category, with a particular focus on construction, maintenance and operational procurement. The role ensures the effective delivery of tenders, commercial interventions, supplier evaluations and contract renewals in line with business requirements and governance standards. The role holder will work closely with operational teams to understand technical specifications, commercial requirements and evaluation criteria. They will be accountable for producing structured milestone plans for each procurement activity, ensuring compliance with internal governance, external regulations and procurement legislation. The role requires regular engagement with managers across the business to gather requirements, validate specifications and support commercial decision‑making. The Buyer will also provide support to colleagues across the wider Commercial function, contributing to consistent procurement processes, commercial evaluations and contract management activities. The successful candidate must, at the start of employment have permission to work in the UK without sponsorship. For this role there is also opportunity for hybrid working and occasional travel to meet with suppliers and key stakeholders.

What we’re looking for:

• Experience and Knowledge
• Professional accreditation through CIPS or RICS or equivalent
• Experience delivering tenders within a complex commercial or regulated environment
• Strong understanding of end‑to‑end procurement processes, including sourcing, tendering, evaluation, award and contract mobilisation
• Experience working within construction and maintenance categories, frameworks or supply chains
• Proven experience delivering commercial evaluations, cost analysis and value‑for‑money assessments
• Demonstrated understanding of relevant procurement legislation and compliance requirements
• Track record of achieving strong commercial outcomes across tenders, negotiations and contract renewals
• Experience managing multiple procurement activities simultaneously in a fast‑paced environment
• High level of numerical accuracy and attention to detail
• Full UK driving licence
• Skills and Expertise
• Expertise in running tenders to achieve commercially robust outcomes aligned to specifications and service levels
• Experience conducting commercial and technical evaluations, including scoring, moderation and supplier assessment
• Knowledge of contract management principles, supplier performance monitoring and renewal processes
• Ability to work effectively with construction, maintenance and operational teams to understand requirements and risks
• Strong understanding of commercial risk, operational impact, economies of scale and whole‑life cost considerations

What we’re offering:

• Hybrid Working
• Initial 6-month contract

Our Commitment to Inclusion: We’re proud to foster a workplace where everyone can thrive. We celebrate diversity and are committed to building a team that reflects the communities we serve. We believe that embracing our differences makes us stronger.