Job Title: Central Buyer
Location: Dunfermline, Fife + Hybrid Working Arrangements
Compensation: £39, - £46,
Role Type: Full time / Maternity Leave - 14 Month Fixed Term Contract
Role ID: SF
Shape the future of engineering and national security
Take your procurement expertise to the next level in a role where your decisions directly support vital defence, engineering and infrastructure programmes across the UK. This is your opportunity to join a team that plays a meaningful part in enabling a safer, more secure world.
At Babcock, we’re working to create a safe and secure world, together. If you join us, you can play your part as a Central Buyer at Rosyth, near Dunfermline, Fife.
The role
As a Central Buyer, you'll ensure that essential materials, services and products are sourced effectively so our engineering and defence programmes can operate at pace and to the highest standards. It’s a role with real purpose — your work will help keep critical assets maintained, supported and ready for action.
You’ll be part of a team that prides itself on professionalism, collaboration and continuous improvement. This role offers strong opportunities for career development, with exposure to complex procurement activities and the chance to develop both your technical and commercial capability.
Day-to-day, you’ll have the following responsibilities:
1. Manage purchasing activities for allocated materials, services and suppliers.
2. Prepare and administrate tender documents, ensuring submissions are handled professionally.
3. Negotiate pricing and delivery terms to meet project schedules and budget targets.
4. Conduct supplier performance reviews and identify opportunities for cost savings or service improvements.
5. Build strong, collaborative relationships with suppliers and internal stakeholders.
This is a 36‑hour‑per‑week position, based at the Rosyth site. Hybrid working patterns are available (2 days on site).
Essential experience of the Central Buyer:
6. Strong understanding of purchasing principles, practices and methodologies.
7. Experience working with supplier review processes and procurement systems.
8. Ability to manage purchasing tasks under established protocols and procedures.
9. Experience supporting tender management or quotation processes.
10. Ability to identify cost‑reduction opportunities and drive supplier performance.
Qualifications for the Central Buyer:
11. Ideally CIPS qualified however we will consider those with relevant procurement experience, ideally gained in a commercial, engineering or industrial environment.
Security Clearance
The successful candidate must be a sole UK National who is able to achieve and maintain Security Check (SC) security clearance for this role.
Many of the positions within our company are subject to national security clearance and Trade Control restrictions. This means that your eligibility for certain roles may be affected by your place of birth, nationality, current or former citizenship, and any residency you hold or have held. Further details are available at Babcock
We’re Babcock — a global FTSE organisation with over 26, people working together to make a difference.
Here, you’ll be part of something bigger. From initial design to final decommissioning, your work will contribute to products and services that are essential to national security and public infrastructure. Together, we’re building a future that lasts — not just through the impact we make, but through meaningful careers that respect your work-life balance.
We call that lifetime engineering.
Join us and see how far we can go, together.
We are a disability confident committed employer.