Senior Buyer

Description

• Ensure compliant order placement and approval workflows aligned with procurement policy.
• Provide guidance and basic training to staff on procurement processes.
• Manage relationships with preferred temporary labour agencies.
• Work with Site Managers and the Commercial Team on delivery priorities and lead times.
• Maintain accurate price lists, supplier data, POs, and coding within Evolution M.
• Act as first point of contact for supplier queries, substitutions, pricing changes, and delivery issues.
• Maintain procurement documentation including PQQs, agreements, rebate files, and approvals.
• Lead negotiations to secure advantageous terms, discounts, and rebates.
• Ensure documentation complies with GDPR and document control requirements.
• Raise weekly labour orders based on timesheets and approved rates.
• Conduct system checks and reconciliations to ensure reporting accuracy.
• Support pricing exercises and early supply chain engagement.
• Ensure subcontractors have valid insurances and completed PQQs.
• Maintain procurement workbooks with committed costs and rebate opportunities.
• Track market conditions affecting pricing, availability, and programme.
• Support the development of standard procurement templates, terms, and policies.
• Prepare monthly materials and plant spend reports, highlighting variances and risks.
• Ensure all contracts comply with legal requirements and internal governance.
• Monitor compliance with terms, rates, and documentation.
• Contribute to waste reduction and sustainable sourcing initiatives.
• Complete supplier risk assessments and implement mitigation strategies.
• Develop and deliver sourcing strategies for construction materials, plant, and services.
• Provide accurate delivery schedules and manage long-lead items.
• Conduct regular supplier reviews covering cost, quality, delivery, and compliance.
• Build and maintain strong supplier relationships to drive performance and continuous improvement.
• Ensure all agreements are supported by appropriate contractual terms.
• Maintain procurement schedules from tender through delivery stages.
• Support continuous improvement of procurement systems and reporting tools.
• Ensure accurate order placement and approval through Evolution M.
• Monitor spend and flag any potential overspend or variance.
• Ensure SLAs and labour rates are agreed prior to operatives attending site.
• Report supplier non-conformance and commercial risk to the Commercial Team.
• Align procurement activity with project budgets and cashflow forecasts.
• Support procurement of SHEQ-related services.
• Secure supplier and distributor rebates, ensuring agreements are auditable and current.
• Maintain data integrity and reporting accuracy within Evolution M.
• Work closely with Pre-Construction, Commercial, Project, and Site teams to meet programme and budget requirements.
• Ensure authorisation of high-value orders and call-offs.
• Drive compliance with procurement governance and commercial discipline.
• Produce procurement reports covering category spend, supplier performance, rebates, and cost variance.
• Provide procurement and cost advice across tender and construction phases.
• Support value engineering initiatives to optimise material efficiency and reduce cost.
• Report risks to senior stakeholders and propose solutions.
• Identify commercial and supply risks and develop mitigation plans.
• Attend project start-up meetings to ensure procurement readiness.
• Standardise procurement approaches to improve efficiency.
• Monitor supplier credit limits, payment terms, and financial stability.
• Coordinate site clear-downs, ensuring surplus material returns where possible.
• Provide accurate procurement data for monthly cost reviews.
• Manage defined procurement categories in line with project programmes and budgets.
• Coordinate returns, credits, and resolution of defective or surplus goods.
• Identify, evaluate, and negotiate with suppliers to achieve cost, quality, and service targets.
• Monitor KPIs covering cost, cash, quality, service, and supply continuity.
• Align purchasing activity with SHEQ, sustainability, and ISO standards.
• Manage GRN processes and resolve delivery/invoice issues promptly.
• Prepare and update preferred supplier frameworks and product ranges.
• Analyse market trends and pricing data to identify savings and cost efficiencies.
• Plan and coordinate the procurement and delivery of materials and plant in line with programme and cashflow.

Requirements

An experienced Senior Buyer is required to lead the procurement of materials, plant, goods, and services across a growing construction business. This role plays a central part in commercial performance, programme delivery, and robust supply chain management.

Decision-Making Capability

• Excellent negotiation, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to balance cost, quality, risk, and programme.
• Experience with rebate management, contract negotiation, or commercial reporting.
• Track record managing procurement and commercial processes across multiple projects.
• Commercially astute with a collaborative mindset.
• Knowledge of NEC/JCT contracts and their procurement implications.
• Capable of influencing senior stakeholders and presenting evidence-based recommendations.
• A positive influencer who promotes continuous improvement and high standards.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and procurement software (e.g., Evolution M).
• Experience supporting audits, governance, or continuous improvement activities.
• Professional, proactive, and solution-focused.
• Demonstrable experience in construction procurement.
• Confident making purchasing decisions within delegated authority.
• High attention to detail and accuracy.
• Skilled in using data to support commercial judgement.
• Strong commercial acumen and analytical capability.
• Strong understanding of materials, supply chain performance, and contract terms.
• Understanding of sustainability, ethical sourcing, anti-bribery, and modern slavery compliance.
• Procurement or supply chain certification (e.g., CIPS).
• Strong team player with the ability to work independently.
• Experience supporting commercial reporting and cost analysis.
• Calm and adaptable under pressure.

Benefits

£45k - £50k

Training + Development

Interview process

Visa Sponsorship

Security clearance