Senior Buyer - Operational Services

We are recruiting for an experienced Senior Buyer to join an established organisation operating within the utilities and infrastructure sector.

This is an excellent opportunity for a commercially focused procurement professional to take ownership of the Operational Services category, managing strategic sourcing activities, supplier relationships and procurement projects.

You will work closely with internal stakeholders to understand business requirements, develop effective sourcing strategies and deliver commercially competitive procurement solutions.

The successful candidate will play an important role in ensuring value for money, managing contractual risks and improving supplier performance across a portfolio of operational services contracts.

• Develop and deliver category strategies and procurement plans aligned with business requirements.
• Manage the end-to-end sourcing process, from initial market engagement through tendering, evaluation, negotiation and contract award.
• Conduct supplier research and market analysis to identify opportunities, emerging trends and potential contractual risks.
• Develop sourcing strategies that deliver commercial value, improve service quality and reduce business risk.
• Identify opportunities for cost reduction, improved efficiencies and continuous improvement.
• Manage a procurement portfolio influencing approximately £20 million of annual spend.

• Build and maintain strong, effective relationships with suppliers and service providers.
• Develop commercial agreements that meet operational requirements and deliver value for money.
• Negotiate supplier contracts, pricing, commercial terms and service agreements.
• Ensure contracts comply with organisational policies, legal requirements and risk management frameworks.
• Monitor supplier performance and identify opportunities to improve contractual outcomes.
• Support effective contract management throughout the agreement lifecycle.

• Work closely with internal departments to understand operational requirements and procurement priorities.
• Engage with stakeholders across Operations, Engineering, Commercial, Legal, Finance, IT and Health & Safety.
• Challenge existing requirements where appropriate to identify more efficient and commercially effective solutions.
• Communicate sourcing recommendations and procurement decisions clearly to senior stakeholders.
• Build collaborative relationships with internal teams and external suppliers.

• Ensure procurement activities comply with relevant policies, legislation and regulatory requirements.
• Support competitive and compliant tendering processes.
• Use procurement data and commercial analysis to inform sourcing decisions.
• Identify and implement improvements to procurement procedures and supplier management practices.
• Maintain accurate procurement records and contract documentation.
• Promote procurement best practices across the organisation.

• Proven experience in a Senior Buyer, Category Buyer, Procurement Specialist or similar procurement position.
• Strong experience managing complex, high-value sourcing and tendering activities.
• Experience developing and implementing category sourcing strategies.
• Excellent commercial awareness, cost management and negotiation skills.
• Ability to manage supplier relationships and negotiate contractual agreements.
• Strong analytical skills, with the ability to interpret and present procurement data.
• Experience working with multiple stakeholders across operational and technical departments.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Confidence leading supplier meetings, commercial discussions and negotiations.
• Experience identifying procurement process improvements and commercial efficiencies.

• MCIPS qualified or actively working towards MCIPS.
• Previous procurement experience within utilities, infrastructure or another regulated environment.
• Understanding of UK and utilities procurement regulations.
• Experience managing competitive and compliant tender processes.
• Knowledge of contract management, supplier risk and procurement governance.
• Experience sourcing operational services or technically complex service agreements.

We are looking for a commercially astute, proactive and relationship-focused Senior Buyer who can take ownership of significant procurement activities and…