03 Jul 2025
03 Jul 2025
Teddington, United Kingdom
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Finance
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Starting from £29,328 per annum, dependent on experience
Permanent

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Buyer

About the Role
Whether you’re talking about length, mass, time, temperature, electric current, amount or the brightness of light, the National Physical Laboratory sets the standards by which these things are all measured. As you can imagine, the broad range of products, materials and services that need to be procured to make our business a success is incredibly diverse. As a Buyer, you’ll play a key role in driving down costs to the business so that we can continue to make a difference around the world. At NPL, we touch ordinary lives in extraordinary ways and you could too.

What you’ll be doing:

You’ll search the market to find the most suitable products, materials and services around – driving cost savings for the business through commercially-astute negotiations. With such specialist needs across our business, you will need to gain knowledge of your buying area and keep up-to-date with market developments and associated legislation. One of the ways in which you will achieve savings, is by forging strong internal and external relationships. You’ll also help with the more straight-forward tenders when you can. And so that we can locate all the relevant information is captured in one place, you’ll update the procurement system on a regular basis. Finally, you’ll chase up the delivery of your orders to check, and double check, that they’re on time and to the high standards we require.
About You
What you can bring to the role:
- Public Sector industry experience
- Willingness to learn and acquire the knowledge you need to achieve the cost savings we’re after.
- Commercially astute, resilient, organised and able to multi-task. 
Beyond that, we’re looking for someone who’ll thrive in an environment like ours. At NPL we learn from each other, respect each other and work together to do better. For ourselves and for our customers. And whilst we’re always looking to stretch beyond what we know, we don’t make things more complicated when there’s no need. 

We actively recruit citizens of all backgrounds, but the nature of our work in specific departments means that nationality, residency and security requirements can be more tightly defined than others. You will be asked about this throughout the recruitment process. To work at NPL, you will need to obtain BPSS security clearance.

Please note:  Applications will be reviewed, and interviews conducted throughout the duration of this advert therefore we may at any time bring the closing date forward.  We encourage all interested applicants to apply as soon as practical.
About Us
- The National Physical Laboratory (NPL) is a world-leading centre of excellence that provides cutting-edge measurement science, engineering and technology to underpin prosperity and quality of life in the UK. Find out more about what it is like working here - The measure of us - Overview
  
  NPL and DSIT have strong commitments to diversity and equality of opportunity, and welcome applications from candidates irrespective of their background, gender, race, sexual orientation, religion, or age, providing they meet the required criteria. Applications from women, disabled and black, Asian and minority ethnic candidates in particular are encouraged. All disabled candidates (as defined by the Equality Act 2010) who satisfy the minimum criteria for the role will be guaranteed an interview under the Disability Confident Scheme.
  
  At NPL, we believe our success is a result of the diversity and talent of our people. We strive to nurture and respect individuals to ensure everyone feels valued by treating everyone on the basis of their own individual merits and abilities regardless of their own or perceived identity, as part of our commitment to diversity & inclusion, we ensure we’re creating an environment where all our colleagues feel supported and welcome. More about this on our Diversity & Inclusion page.
  
  We are committed to the health and well-being of our employees. Flexible working and social activities are embedded in our culture to create a positive work-life balance, along with a broad range of rewards, benefits and recognition. Our values are at the heart of what we do, and they shape the way we interact, develop our people and celebrate success. To ensure everyone has an equal chance, we’re always willing to make reasonable adjustments to the recruitment process. If you would like to discuss, please contact us.