Senior Buyer

Balfour; Glasgow; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

An international construction and civil engineering firm in Glasgow is seeking a Senior Buyer to lead procurement for Overhead Line projects across Scotland. This role requires proven procurement experience, strong stakeholder management skills, and a strategic mindset. The ideal candidate will enjoy flexible working conditions and comprehensive benefits, including paid annual leave and family-friendly policies.

Benefits

Smart working with flexibility

25 days paid annual leave

Family friendly policies

Pension and share incentive plan

Qualifications

• Proven experience in procurement within Utilities or Construction.
• Strong leadership and stakeholder management skills.
• Skilled negotiator with a focus on compliance and best value.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop strategic procurement journeys for assigned projects.
• Manage and mentor Buyers and Junior Buyers.
• Build performance-led supplier relationships focused on value, quality, and continuous improvement.

Skills

Procurement experience in Utilities or Construction

Leadership and stakeholder management skills

Negotiation skills

Analytical mindset with commercial awareness

Knowledge of NEC Subcontract processes

Education

MCIPS qualification or interest in pursuing it

Job description

Join to apply for the Senior Buyer role at Balfour Beatty plc

About The Role

Are you ready to make your mark on projects that matter? At the heart of our Power Transmission & Distribution Business Unit, we’re delivering the Scottish Power Energy Networks Framework—a portfolio reshaping the energy sector and driving the UK’s net zero ambitions. We’re looking for a Senior Buyer to lead procurement for our Overhead Line (OHL) projects across the Central Belt and East Coast of Scotland. This is your opportunity to stretch your expertise, lead strategic procurement initiatives, and help secure the UK’s energy future.

What you'll be doing

• Lead and develop strategic procurement journeys for assigned projects.
• Manage and mentor Buyers and Junior Buyers.
• Own and update procurement strategies and schedules for OHL projects.
• Expedite key materials and manage supply chain risks.
• Prepare RFQs, conduct supplier evaluations, and lead negotiations.
• Build performance‑led supplier relationships focused on value, quality, and continuous improvement.
• Collaborate with Category, Finance, Operations, and Commercial teams to ensure timely delivery.

Who we're looking for

• Proven experience in procurement within Utilities or Construction.
• Strong leadership and stakeholder management skills.
• Knowledge of NEC Subcontract and commercial processes.
• Skilled negotiator with a focus on compliance and best value.
• Analytical mindset with commercial awareness.
• MCIPS qualification or interest in pursuing it is a plus.

Why work for us

Day in, day out, our teams deliver some of the UK’s most ambitious, exciting and meaningful projects; developing, building and maintaining the vital infrastructure that supports national economies and strengthens communities.

Benefits

• Smart working, giving you more flexibility such as staggered start and finish times, with up to 40% remote working, where roles allow.
• 25 days paid annual leave (pro rata)
• Family friendly policies which include 28 weeks full pay for maternity/adoption leave and four weeks full pay for paternity/partner’s leave
• Pension, share incentive plan, volunteering leave, recognition schemes and much more…

About Us

Balfour Beatty’s Power Transmission & Distribution teams work with regional, national and international electricity network owners and operators to provide technical engineering solutions across the full spectrum of the electricity grid, including overhead lines, cabling, substations and distribution networks. From scoping and feasibility, to design, construction and on‑going maintenance, our in‑house experts, flexible resources and industry‑leading innovations support customers in the development of some of the UK’s most ambitious power transmission and distribution projects.

Diversity and inclusion

At Balfour Beatty we believe that diversity and inclusion are essential components of any successful, happy workplace. Through our Value Everyone Diversity and Inclusion Strategy and Action Plan, we are growing our diverse workforce and developing our inclusive culture where everyone is able to thrive and reach their full potential, regardless of their identity or background. To find out how we are making this a reality, visit https://www.balfourbeatty.com/diversityandinclusion. We are members of WISE, ENEI, Business Disability Forum and the Association for Black and Minority Ethnic Engineers (AFBE). In 2020, we signed the Audeliss and Involve Open Letter to demonstrate our commitment to taking key long‑term and sustainable actions on Black Inclusion. Balfour Beatty is also a Gold Award holder in the Ministry of Defence 'Employer Recognition Scheme' and actively encourages applications from Armed Forces personnel, veterans and reservists. As a Disability Confident Employer, we are committed to working with people who have disabilities and long‑term health conditions to remove barriers for them in obtaining employment. We are also committed to offering applicants with a disability an interview if they meet the minimum requirements for the role. For more info, visit https://disabilityconfident.campaign.gov.uk/.

Seniority level

• Mid‑Senior level

Employment type

• Full‑time

Job function

• Purchasing and Supply Chain

Industries

• Construction

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