Direct Buyer - Rail

Direct Buyer - Rail and Infrastructure - Immediate Start - Cheshire East - Salary dep on experience - (Contract and/or Perm position).

If you’re looking for a role where your decisions directly support safer, greener, more reliable rail and infrastructure services, this is it.

RHA Recruitment Solutions is keen to speak to proactive, commercially astute Procurement specialists  to join an established team supporting major rail and infrastructure programmes. Based on Cheshire East, but working on projects nationwide, this is a fantastic opportunity for someone who thrives in a fast‑paced, safety‑critical environment and wants to play a key role in delivering nationally significant projects.

You’ll be responsible for sourcing, negotiating, and managing the procurement of materials, plant, and specialist services across multi‑disciplinary engineering works — ensuring full compliance with RHA, Network Rail, RISQS and project governance.

Duties will include, but not be limited to:-

• Managing direct procurement of materials, components and subcontracted services for rail & infrastructure projects.

• Leading tendering activity (RFQs, RFPs, ITTs) and securing best‑value commercial outcomes.

• Negotiating pricing, terms and SLAs with suppliers across the RHA supply chain.

• Ensuring full compliance with Network Rail standards, RISQS, and internal procurement governance.

• Working closely with project, engineering and commercial teams to forecast demand and maintain supply continuity.

• Building strong supplier relationships and driving performance, quality and delivery improvements.

• Supporting contract administration under NEC and other relevant frameworks.

• Identifying cost‑saving opportunities, market innovations and supply‑chain risks.

What can you offer:-

• Experience as a Buyer / Direct Buyer within rail, infrastructure, construction or engineering.

• Strong understanding of RHA sector requirements and safety‑critical procurement.

• Knowledge of regulated procurement, Network Rail frameworks and supplier assurance.

• Confident negotiator with strong commercial acumen.

• Ability to interpret technical specifications and collaborate with engineering teams.

• Excellent communication and stakeholder‑management skills.

• ERP/MRP experience (SAP, Oracle, IFS, COINS or similar).

Desirables

• CIPS qualification (or working towards).

• Experience with NEC contracts.

• Understanding of sustainability and social‑value requirements in UK infrastructure.

For further details or to apply to the position, please contact Richard at RHA Recruitment Solutions