At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage procurement to ensure timely delivery of goods and services for critical defence projects.
- Company: Join Babcock, a global leader in defence and engineering with a commitment to security.
- Benefits: Enjoy generous holidays, flexible working, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Dynamic work environment with options for hybrid working and career growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on national security while building strong supplier relationships.
- Qualifications: Experience in supply chain or procurement and strong communication skills required.
The predicted salary is between 35000 - 45000 € per year.
Location: Stoke Gifford, Bristol + Hybrid Working Arrangements
Compensation: Competitive Salary + Benefits
Role Type: Full time / Permanent
Shape the future of defence supply chains. At Babcock, we’re working to create a safe and secure world, together. If you join us, you can play your part as a Buyer at Bristol Technology Centre, near Bristol, Gloucestershire.
The role:
As a Buyer, you’ll play a key role at the heart of our Mission Systems business, supporting the delivery of critical programmes across defence, aerospace, and engineering. You’ll act as the focal point for procurement activity, ensuring the right materials and services are sourced efficiently, ethically, and at the best value. This is an exciting opportunity to influence supply chain performance, build strong supplier relationships, and contribute directly to projects that protect people and infrastructure. You’ll also benefit from hands-on experience alongside experienced procurement professionals, helping you grow your career in a dynamic, future-focused industry.
Day-to-day, you’ll be:
- Managing procurement of goods and services to ensure timely and cost-effective programme delivery
- Preparing and issuing requests for quotation and evaluating supplier responses
- Building and maintaining strong supplier relationships, including conducting supplier visits
- Supporting order book management and providing accurate supply chain reporting
- Collaborating with delivery teams and stakeholders to identify value opportunities
This role is full time, 37 hours per week and provides hybrid working arrangements with minimum 1 day in the office and rest of week working from home.
Essential experience:
- Demonstrable experience within a supply chain or procurement role
- Understanding of purchasing within a manufacturing or engineering environment
- Aware of operational procurement processes
- Knowledge of commercial business practices
- Strong communication skills, both written and verbal
Qualifications:
- willingness to work towards membership of a relevant professional body, such as the Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (Level 4 or above), or an equivalent business-related qualification
Security Clearance:
The successful candidate must be able to achieve and maintain Security Check (SC) security clearance for this role. Many of the positions within our company are subject to national security clearance and Trade Control restrictions. This means that your eligibility for certain roles may be affected by your place of birth, nationality, current or former citizenship, and any residency you hold or have held.
What we offer:
- Generous holiday allowance
- Matched contribution pension scheme, with life assurance
- Access to a Digital GP, annual health check, and nutritional consultations through Aviva DigiCare+
- Employee share scheme
- Employee shopping savings portal
- Payment of Professional Fees
- Reservists in the armed forces receive 10-days special paid leave
- Holiday Trading is a benefit that allows the majority of employees to buy additional leave or to sell up to one working week of annual leave from their annual entitlement
- ‘Be Kind Day’ enables employees to take one working day's paid leave a year (or equivalent hours) to undertake volunteering work with their chosen organisation or registered charity
- Flexible working – we give people more options to better integrate their work and personal life, whilst ensuring that business needs are met
- A dynamic working environment
Babcock is a global FTSE 100 organisation with over 26,000 people working together to make a difference. Here, you’ll be part of something bigger. From initial design to final decommissioning, your work will contribute to products and services that are essential to national security and public infrastructure. Together, we’re building a future that lasts — not just through the impact we make, but through meaningful careers that respect your work-life balance. We call that lifetime engineering. Join us and see how far we can go, together.
We are a disability confident committed employer. If you have a disability or need any reasonable adjustments during the application and selection stages, please email careers@babcockinternational.com with the subject header ‘Reasonable adjustments requirement’. We’re committed to building an inclusive culture where everyone’s free to thrive. We are happy to talk about flexible working – please ask about alternative patterns of work at interview.
Closing date: 25/05/2026
Buyer employer: weServed
Babcock is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in Stoke Gifford, Bristol, where you can contribute to vital defence and aerospace projects. With competitive salaries, generous benefits, and a strong focus on employee growth through hands-on experience and professional development opportunities, Babcock fosters a culture of inclusivity and work-life balance. Join us to be part of a global team dedicated to making a meaningful impact while enjoying flexible working arrangements and a commitment to your well-being.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Buyer
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend events, and connect on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its values. Understand their mission in defence and aerospace, and think about how your skills as a Buyer can contribute to their goals. Show them you’re not just another candidate!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your negotiation skills! As a Buyer, you'll need to demonstrate your ability to get the best deals. Role-play with a friend or use online resources to sharpen your skills before the interview.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive and engaged with our hiring process.
We think you need these skills to ace Buyer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Buyer role. Highlight your experience in procurement and supply chain management, and don’t forget to mention any relevant qualifications or skills that match what we’re looking for!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you’re passionate about the role and how your background makes you a perfect fit for our team at Babcock. Keep it engaging and personal.
Showcase Your Communication Skills:Since strong communication is key for this role, make sure your written application reflects that. Be clear, concise, and professional in your language, showing us you can communicate effectively.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for the best chance of success. It’s straightforward and ensures your application goes directly to us, so we can review it promptly!
How to prepare for a job interview at weServed
✨Know Your Procurement Basics
Brush up on your understanding of procurement processes, especially within manufacturing or engineering environments. Be ready to discuss how you’ve applied this knowledge in past roles, as it shows you’re not just familiar with the theory but can also put it into practice.
✨Showcase Your Supplier Relationship Skills
Prepare examples of how you've built and maintained strong supplier relationships. Think about specific instances where your communication skills made a difference, as this role heavily relies on collaboration and effective stakeholder management.
✨Demonstrate Value Identification
Be ready to talk about how you've identified value opportunities in previous roles. This could involve cost-saving measures or innovative procurement strategies. Highlighting these experiences will show that you can contribute to the company's mission of efficient supply chain performance.
✨Understand Security Clearance Requirements
Familiarise yourself with the security clearance process, as it's crucial for this role. Be prepared to discuss your eligibility and any relevant background information that may affect your ability to obtain the necessary clearance.
