Overview
We are seeking a motivated and capable individual to join the Procurement & Commercial team as a Senior Buyer within the Great Western Route due to a promotion within Network Rail.
This is an exciting opportunity to play a key role in shaping and delivering procurement strategies across a diverse portfolio of goods, services and works. The team supports the Great Western Route across a wide spectrum of procurement activity, providing procurement expertise, commercial support and routes-to-market advice to stakeholders across the business. You will support the development and delivery of sourcing and contracting strategies, frameworks and tendering activities, while identifying opportunities to improve procurement outcomes and deliver greater value.
The role offers the opportunity to broaden and further develop existing procurement and commercial experience across stakeholder engagement, supplier management, commercial decision-making and sourcing delivery. A key focus will be building on existing procurement arrangements, driving continuous improvement and supporting better business outcomes across the Great Western Route.
The successful candidate will also have the opportunity to further develop leadership experience through coaching and mentoring a direct report, helping to create a positive, supportive and high-performing team environment.
Working within an evolving procurement landscape, the role provides valuable exposure to the practical application of the Procurement Act 2023 and associated regulations. You will help ensure procurement activities are delivered in line with legislative, policy and governance requirements, while building capability for future career progression within Procurement & Commercial.
This role reports to the Senior Procurement Manager, Great Western Route, and is based in Swindon.
Your Main Responsibilities will be to
- Develop and implement individual project and steady state contracting strategy proposals including preparation and evaluation of tender documents and negotiation of contracts.
- Provide post contract commercial management support for a range of contracts.
- Provide dedicated support to senior staff in respect of individual projects and/or contract/commercial issues, including 'rapid response' to potential contract disputes.
- Target specific goods, services and/or suppliers to identify how tangible improvements may be made in the procurement of these goods and services.
- Undertake regular contract management meetings with key stakeholders and suppliers to monitor whether maximum value was delivered via contract.
- Manage responsibilities for endorsements and approval of contract variations.
- Provide all services to programme/project teams in a timely and cost effective manner and contribute positively towards the achievement of programme/project objectives.
Pay and Rewards
Salary: £43,588 to £53,167 per annum.
As a Network Rail employee, you will enjoy a wide range of benefits!
- Privileged staff travel - Leisure travel discount of 75% on all leisure travel and includes family members.
- A subsidy of up to 75% on rail and underground season tickets if you travel to work on the train.
- GWR ticket alliance ¿ Heavily discounted all day passes for you and up to 3 friends and family to use across the GWR network (48 passes per year)
- Benefits package including healthcare offers, a cycle to work scheme, discounted healthcare club membership, and a discounted offers and benefits including childcare, healthcare and online shopping site.
- A range of Pension schemes to choose from
- Effectively manage work-life balance with a 35hrs per week contract, and enhanced family friendly support .
- 5 days paid volunteering leave.
- 2 weeks paid reserve leave for the Armed Forces community.
- In Wales and Western region, you will have the opportunity to join PROUD, our reward and recognition scheme where you can say thanks and recognise colleagues across the region who have demonstrated outstanding values and behaviours.
To find out more about the benefits at Network Rail, click here .
More about the role and your application
Closing date: 16th September 2026. Late applications will not be accepted. This vacancy is also being advertised externally.
This role requires working in the office for a least 60% of the working week
To submit your application, click apply now . For tips to help you prepare and apply click here
We want to ensure everyone has an equal opportunity. Therefore, should you require any reasonable adjustments/modifications, please include within your application.
All offers of employment are conditional upon satisfactory completion of pre-employment checks.
Our Drugs and Alcohol Standard has changed. All prospective candidates will be required to undergo and pass a drugs and alcohol test. Your application will be rescinded if you record a positive test. All positive drugs and alcohol test results for prospective candidates will be securely held on Sentinel database and a 5-year suspension from applying for a safety critical role, a role which requires PTS certification or a Key Safety role on Network Rail Managed Infrastructure will be enforced.
