Junior Buyer

Salary: £30,000 per year

This challenging and exciting opportunity requires an individual currently working in a similar role across any area of the construction sector.

Our client is one of the UK’s largest specialist construction, civil, structural, and ground engineering contractors, renowned for providing technically advanced and cost-effective solutions to meet the demands of any project or contract requirement across a wide variety of sectors. Their reputation is built on engineering excellence and a commitment to continual innovation, all backed by a central design, estimating and engineering resource. As one of the largest specialist contractors in the industry, they are able to provide clients with bespoke solutions tailored to individual project specifications, which is all supported by their state-of-the-art processes and technologies.

Due to continued growth, a significant increase in workload and a number of recent “spotlight” contract awards, including large packages within the HS2 framework programme, our client now wishes to appoint a Junior Assistant Buyer. Reporting to the Procurement Manager, the main purpose of this role will be to operationally assist in the day-to-day operations of the company’s central procurement, buying and logistics department, and support the team in an overall sense of responsibility.

The Role

* Support the procurement, purchasing and logistics team in delivering an excellent service

* To assist and follow various divisional contracts programmes, ensure timely provision of specified equipment and supplies for projects on multiple sites

* To be able to adapt quickly and efficiently to programme and project requirements

* To assist with ensuring arrangements are in place to transport plant, rigs and equipment to multiple sites

* To appraise potential suppliers and sub-contractors, and process their credentials accordingly

* To conduct supplier cost comparison exercises, and if applicable, negotiate on price ethically and appropriately

* To raise and manage procurement and purchase orders

* To expedite scheduled deliveries by liaising with suppliers in a collaborative and engaging manner

* To track on-hire reports and collection of off-hired items

* To monitor and record supplier performance to measure against company required KPI’s

* To support the team as required in all other aspects on a day to day basis

* Provide service and support to contracts teams in meeting the needs of their project requirements on site

* Provide support to the estimating team in acquiring quotes, and offering supplier and

material recommendations

* Actively interact within the team, and with all required stakeholders in a professional manner

* Maintain a good relationship with the company’s network of UK wide regional offices and divisions

* Obtain quotes and negotiate prices for goods and services delivering VFM

* Support the provision of goods and services within the budget assigned to each project

* Check and manage invoices, whilst maintaining and adhering to internal procedures

The Person

* Proven experience within a similar role across any area of the construction sector, possessing numerical accuracy and good communication skills

* To possess commercial awareness, be highly organised by nature and able to use your own initiative

* To be confident, and have the ability to adapt and amend workload priorities in a regularly changing environment

* Good IT skills including Outlook, Excel and Word etc

* A natural team worker, with a positive and friendly attitude, and be self-sufficient

* To possesses good negotiating skills and the ability to meet challenging deadlines often in high pressure situations

* Should be robust and resilient, possessing determination and natural enthusiasm

* Excellent time management skills, being able to effectively prioritise against deadlines

* A respectful approach to relationships with colleagues, staff, clients and suppliers alike

An attractive salary and benefits package (permanent) is on offer to the successful candidate, along with longevity of work and career progression, given the company’s forward order workload and their continued commitment to sustained growth across the UK.