About Network Rail
At Network Rail, our passengers and freight users are at the heart of everything we do. We help connect people to their friends and families and get goods to their destination safely and efficiently. We're an organisation where people matter. Watch our video to find out more!
Scotland's Railway is part of this large family and it covers a large geographical area from the Borders to Thurso at the far tip of the North East of Scotland, accounting for almost 20 per cent of the UK rail network. We provide rapid access along busy commuter routes to our seven cities, servicing the varied needs of our business and leisure commuter services, including cross border services and rural services. We have up to 50 freight services operating every day and we are steadily building capacity for this to grow. Our ambition to be responsive to passengers and freight users, drives us every day and we're empowered to do the right thing for those who use the rail network. We actively challenge unsafe practices and take responsibility for addressing risks, resolving issues and protecting safety and wellbeing.
Our colleagues are encouraged to work flexibly as we know that busy lives don't always fit around a traditional working pattern, if you need flexibility to complete your role just let us know and we will do our upmost to help you to invest in your career with us while balancing other aspects of your life.
We're also a Disability Confident Leader employer and we'll try our best to adapt the process and offer a reasonable alternative to help support people with disabilities access, apply and interview for roles.
We want to help deliver a railway which is safe, reliable, affordable and that provides great customer service to everyone. For more information about Network Rail click here
Brief Description
At Network Rail, our mission is to connect people and goods with safe, reliable, and efficient railway services. As part of our Business Plan for Control Period 7 (CP7) we're investing in infrastructure, innovation, and sustainability and our Commercial & Procurement (C&P) team plays a key role in making it happen.
We're looking for a motivated, organised and proactive Buyer to join our Procurement Team for Scotland's Railway and help deliver best-value procurement outcomes across a dynamic portfolio of contracts. Whether you're already working in public sector procurement or are looking to take the next step in your career, this is a great opportunity to grow and make a tangible impact and contribute to the future of rail in Scotland.
The Scotland Procurement team provide a pre contract and procurement support service to Scotland's Railway. This includes and incorporates Capital Delivery, Works Delivery, Maintenance, Property, Asset Management, and various operational and support services and includes working with and supporting Route Services on national procurement events. Network Rail's Scotland Region leads the day-to-day operation of the Railway Network in Scotland using internal and external resources to complete both Maintenance and Investment activities.
About the role (External)
The Buyer role interfaces with internal and external stakeholders to provide a first-class procurement service to Scotland's Railway. The team procures a number of operational works, services and support contracts across a number of different categories of spend and acts as the interface in determining framework contract requirements, policy and local supplier development.
As a Buyer you will:
• Manage and run compliant below threshold sourcing activities, and support the Senior Buyers with above-threshold tenders
• Support contract development, supplier selection, and evaluation processes
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders and delivery teams to understand requirements and deliver effective procurement solutions
• Maintain accurate records, documentation, and audit trails in line with internal governance and public procurement regulations
• Contribute to commercial strategy development and continuous improvement within the team
• Raise and manage purchase orders
• Draft Network Rail contracts
• Provide support to the Senior Buyers and managers within the team.
What We're Looking For
Essential
• Commercial experience and aptitude.
• Understanding of procurement processes.
Desirable
• Knowledge of procurement and competition legislation, procurement procedures, processes, systems and controls.
• Membership or training for qualifications in relevant professional institution.
In addition to the above it will be beneficial if you have excellent attention to detail and an organised approach to documentation and compliance, good stakeholder engagement and communication skills. Knowledge of e-procurement systems (e.g. Oracle, Bravo) (training/support will be provided) will also be advantageous.
#LI-SY1
How to apply (External)
Salary: £31,000 - £34,000
Network Rail Benefits - To find out about what benefits we offer, click here
Closing date: Midnight of 9 th September 2025
Please note proof of all essential qualifications will be required.
Late applications will not be accepted.
Please note the recruitment process for this role is a competency based interview.
We're dedicated to creating an inclusive environment and we welcome applications from everyone!
Network Rail is a Disability Confident Leader and we'll try our best to adapt the process and offer a reasonable alternative to help support people with disabilities access, apply and interview for roles. You can visit Evenbreak's Career Hive for advice on accessibility support if you're unsure of the options available. Should you require any reasonable adjustments/modifications, please add a note to your application.
All offers of employment are conditional upon satisfactory completion of pre-employment checks. Click here for more information #J-18808-Ljbffr