Senior Buyer

On behalf of Network Rail, we are looking for a Senior Buyer for a 18 month Contract Until March 2028 contract based in Swindon 3 days per 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!

As a Senior Buyer, you will be responsible for supporting the development and delivery of procurement and contracting strategies, ensuring commercial value is maximised while maintaining compliance with organisational policies and procedures.

As a Senior Buyer , your main responsibilities will be:

- Developing and implementing procurement and contracting strategies for assigned categories, projects, and contracts.
- Preparing tender documentation, managing competitive procurement exercises, and evaluating supplier submissions.
- Leading contract negotiations to secure commercially advantageous outcomes.
- Providing post-contract commercial management and support across a range of supplier agreements.
- Advising project teams and stakeholders on procurement, commercial, and contractual matters.
- Supporting the resolution of contract issues, disputes, and commercial risks.
- Identifying opportunities to improve procurement performance, supplier value, and commercial outcomes.
- Building and maintaining effective relationships with internal stakeholders and external suppliers.
- Conducting regular contract review meetings to monitor supplier performance and ensure contractual value is delivered.
- Managing contract variations, approvals, and governance processes.
- Delivering procurement support to programme and project teams in a timely and cost-effective manner.

Essential:

- Proven procurement, sourcing, or commercial experience within a public or private sector environment.
- Strong understanding of procurement processes and contract management principles .
- Demonstrable experience developing and managing supplier relationships.
- Knowledge of commercial and contractual terms and conditions.
- Excellent negotiation, influencing, and stakeholder management skills.
- Ability to analyse information and make sound commercial recommendations.
- Strong communication and relationship-building skills.
- Experience supporting or delivering procurement activities from strategy through to contract award and management .

Desirable:

- Membership of a recognised professional procurement or commercial body (e.g. CIPS or equivalent).
- Experience supporting large-scale projects, programmes, or infrastructure environments.
- Knowledge of public sector procurement practices and governance requirements.

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".