Senior Buyer

Role Purpose & Scope

Purchase goods, materials, and services to ensure that the company’s operational needs are met, considering price, quality, and delivery, while ensuring continuity of supply.

Our Values

• Deliver –  we do what we say we’ll do 
• Initiative –  we encourage everyone to use their initiative 
• Appreciation –  we show appreciation for both performance and commitment 
• Learn –  we stop to learn lessons and have the courage to change 
• Support –   we support others to avoid blame 

Key Responsibilities

Procurement & Purchasing

• Collaborate with the Procurement Manager and Buyers to manage purchasing requisitions
• Source goods and services domestically and internationally to meet project needs and budgets
• Obtain Procurement Manager approval for orders over £50,000
• Negotiate contracts, pricing, and supplier terms
• Identify opportunities for cost savings using procurement best practices
• Build and maintain strong supplier relationships
• Research new suppliers and innovative product streams
• Support development of the purchasing function in line with business strategy
• Communicate supply chain risks and challenges to relevant departments

Commercial & Finance

• Use Sage 200 to process purchase orders and maintain accurate pricing records
• Resolve supplier issues relating to:
  • Pricing
  • Quality
  • Deliveries
  • Invoices
• Support the Accounts team with invoice approvals and supplier payments

Reporting & Analysis

• Analyse costs and identify cost reduction opportunities
• Keep Contracts Managers updated to minimise unnecessary follow-ups
• Assist colleagues proactively and respond to queries promptly
• Complete purchasing reports and maintain internal pricing databases

Risk Management

• Assess supplier performance and support compliance reviews
• Monitor and report risks and opportunities within the supply chain

Health, Safety & Compliance

• Follow all Health, Safety & Environmental procedures
• Ensure compliance with company policies and procedures
• Respond promptly to communications
• Attend staff and team meetings
• Submit timesheets and manage workload effectively

Key Performance Indicators

• Open requisitions maintained within agreed levels
• Invoice disputes kept within agreed limits
• Achieved negotiated savings targets
• Orders delivered on time, in full, and to specification
• Completion of at least one strategic procurement initiative each quarter

Skills, Knowledge, Qualifications & Experience

Essential Requirements

• Experience implementing initiatives aligned with business objectives
• Previous procurement experience, ideally within construction or manufacturing
• Strong knowledge of:
  • Purchasing
  • Negotiation
  • Commercial management
  • Cost breakdown analysis
• Commercial and financial awareness
• Strong communication and negotiation skills
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving ability
• Ability to prioritise tasks and work under pressure
• Ability to read technical drawings
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy
• Computer literate with:
  • Excel skills
  • Sage experience
• Full UK Driving License

Desirable

• Studying towards CIPS or a similar qualification

Personal Attributes

• Strong ability to influence and deliver results
• Logical and methodical approach to planning
• High attention to detail
• Able to work independently and conscientiously
• Resilient, practical, and team-oriented
• Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills
• Commercially aware
• Enjoys responsibility and challenges
• Adaptable and open to change

Location