DATS Recruitment
Senior Buyer

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Senior Buyer – Procurement
A variety of soft skills and experience may be required for the following role. Please ensure you check the overview below carefully.
Contract: 12 Months cover contract
Location: Manchester (Hybrid – 2 days in office required)
Rate: £40–£45 per hour DOE (Inside IR35/ Umbrella)
Security Clearance: BPSS required
Start Date: July 2026
We are currently recruiting for an experienced Senior Buyer to join a well-established procurement and supply chain function on a 12-month maternity cover contract.
This role will support a wide range of complex engineering and infrastructure projects across sectors including Nuclear, Defence, Power, and Life Sciences. The successful candidate will work closely with internal project teams, consultants, contractors, and suppliers to deliver procurement and commercial objectives effectively.
Reasons to use Rodeo
I’m in my final year doing Economics and I don’t know whether to apply for grad schemes now or do a masters first. What do you think?
Honest answer — it depends on where you want to end up. A lot of top grad schemes (Big 4, civil service, banking) don’t need a masters. Let’s look at the ones you’d be competitive for now, and we can decide if a masters actually adds anything.
Also worth knowing: most autumn 2026 applications are open now. Timing matters more than you think.
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Graduate Consultant — 2026 Scheme
Why you're a good match
StrongYour economics background and your summer at a regional bank line up with what PwC looks for on the consulting scheme. Applications close in four weeks.
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Why you're a good match
You’ve got the grades and the economics background, and your bank internship is exactly the experience this scheme looks for. Apply soon — deadlines close within the month.
Experience fit
Your summer at the bank plus your econometrics coursework map directly to the day-one responsibilities on this scheme — client modelling, market briefings, and deal support.
Only hits
No noise. No "maybe this fits." Just roles with a clear explanation of why they're right — and where to focus when applying.
An overlap period with the current incumbent is planned to ensure a smooth handover.
The Role
Key Responsibilities Will Include
- Managing procurement activities across multiple projects and stakeholders
- Supporting sourcing strategies, supplier engagement, and contract negotiations
- Drafting, negotiating, and administering contracts, particularly NEC forms
- Advising project teams on procurement best practice and contract management
- Working collaboratively with commercial, planning, and project control teams
- Supporting supplier performance and supply chain management activities
- Ensuring compliance with UK procurement and finance legislation
Requirements
To be considered, candidates should have:
- Significant experience within procurement or supply chain roles in construction, engineering, infrastructure, or a related industry
- Strong working knowledge of UK standard forms of contract, particularly NEC4 PSC
- Experience drafting, negotiating, and administering contracts
- Good understanding of UK procurement and finance legislation
- MCIPS qualification (or currently working towards)
- Relevant degree qualification or equivalent industry experience
- Experience using COINS software (desirable)


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Additional Information
- Hybrid working arrangement with 3 days from home and 2 office days per week in Manchester
- Full right to work in the UK is essential
If you are an experienced procurement professional looking for your next contract opportunity within a complex project environment, we would love to hear from you
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