Operational Buyer

Job Title:              Operational Buyer
Location:              Plymouth, Devon + Hybrid Working Arrangements
Compensation:    £38,084 + Benefits
Role Type:           Full time / Permanent
Role ID:               SF63035

At Babcock we’re working to create a safe and secure world, together, and if you join us, you can play your part as an Operational Buyer at our Devonport Royal Dockyard site.

The role
As an Operational Buyer, you’ll have a role that’s out of the ordinary. Join the Future Maritime Support Programme (FMSP) and play a vital role in sustaining over 9,400 UK jobs, enhancing Royal Navy capabilities, and revolutionising maritime defence through innovation and cost efficiency.

Day-to-day, you’ll drive sourcing and supplier allocation activities, manage supplier order books and relationships, ensure project timelines through system updates, and support programme improvement plans—all within a complex regulatory framework aiming to enhance vessel availability and maritime defence resilience.

• Execute sourcing and supplier allocation tasks effectively.
• Oversee supplier order books to ensure accuracy and delivery.
• Manage supplier performance and relationships for optimal collaboration.
• Update system dates to maintain alignment with project timelines.
• Contribute to programme improvement initiatives.

This role is full time, 35 hours per week and provides hybrid working arrangements 

Essential experience of the Operational Buyer 

• Prior experience in purchasing or procurement roles. 
• Familiarity with ERP systems such as SAP, Ariba, Jaeger, or IFS.
• Strong analytical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
• Excellent planning, organisational, communication, and persuasion skills.
• Proficiency in IT, particularly Microsoft Office packages.

Qualifications for the Operational Buyer 

• CIPS Level 4 qualification is preferred but not essential.
• GCSEs in Mathematics and English Language at Grade C/5 or above.

Security Clearance

The successful candidate must be able to achieve and maintain Standard (BPSS) 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 United Kingdom Security Vetting: clearance levels - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).

What we offer

• Generous holiday allowance 
• Matched contribution pension scheme, with life assurance
• Access to a Digital GP, annual health check, and nutritional consultations through Aviva DigiCare+
• Employee share scheme 
• Employee shopping savings portal
• Payment of Professional Fees
• Reservists in the armed forces receive 10-days special paid leave 
• Holiday Trading is a benefit that allows the majority of employees to buy additional leave or to sell up to one working week of annual leave from their annual entitlement
• ‘Be Kind Day’ enables employees to take one working day's paid leave a year (or equivalent hours) to undertake volunteering work with their chosen organisation or registered charity
• Excellent development opportunities and benefits package including an employee assistance programme supporting physical, mental and financial wellbeing.

Babcock International 
For over a century Babcock has helped to defend nations, protect communities and build a better world. To continue, we must adapt, advance and be a sustainable business with a shared goal. 

We are a disability confident committed employer. If you have a disability or need any reasonable adjustments during the application and selection stages, please email careers@babcockinternational.com with the subject header ‘Reasonable adjustments requirement’. We’re committed to building an inclusive culture where everyone’s free to thrive. We are happy to talk about flexible working – please ask about alternative patterns of work at interview.

Closing date: 08/04/2025