Senior Buyer

Senior Buyer – Construction | Business Support Division

Location:
Oldham

£45k - £50k

Employment Type:
Full-Time

Reports to:
Business Support Director

Sector:
Construction / Procurement / Commercial Support

Overview

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.

Working closely with Commercial, Pre-Construction, Project, and Site teams, the Senior Buyer will ensure best value through strategic sourcing, cost assurance, risk management, and strong supplier relationships. The role is ideal for a commercially minded procurement professional looking to have a direct impact on profitability and project outcomes.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Sourcing

• Develop and deliver sourcing strategies for construction materials, plant, and services.
• Identify, evaluate, and negotiate with suppliers to achieve cost, quality, and service targets.
• Manage defined procurement categories in line with project programmes and budgets.
• Support value engineering initiatives to optimise material efficiency and reduce cost.

Supplier Management

• Build and maintain strong supplier relationships to drive performance and continuous improvement.
• Conduct regular supplier reviews covering cost, quality, delivery, and compliance.
• Ensure all agreements are supported by appropriate contractual terms.
• Complete supplier risk assessments and implement mitigation strategies.
• Act as first point of contact for supplier queries, substitutions, pricing changes, and delivery issues.
• Monitor supplier credit limits, payment terms, and financial stability.
• Report supplier non-conformance and commercial risk to the Commercial Team.
• Coordinate returns, credits, and resolution of defective or surplus goods.

Cost Management

• Align procurement activity with project budgets and cashflow forecasts.
• Analyse market trends and pricing data to identify savings and cost efficiencies.
• Maintain procurement schedules from tender through delivery stages.
• Secure supplier and distributor rebates, ensuring agreements are auditable and current.
• Monitor KPIs covering cost, cash, quality, service, and supply continuity.
• Prepare monthly materials and plant spend reports, highlighting variances and risks.

Contract Negotiation

• Lead negotiations to secure advantageous terms, discounts, and rebates.
• Ensure all contracts comply with legal requirements and internal governance.
• Support the development of standard procurement templates, terms, and policies.

Collaboration with Project Teams

• Work closely with Pre-Construction, Commercial, Project, and Site teams to meet programme and budget requirements.
• Provide procurement and cost advice across tender and construction phases.
• Drive compliance with procurement governance and commercial discipline.
• Support pricing exercises and early supply chain engagement.
• Attend project start-up meetings to ensure procurement readiness.

Risk Management

• Identify commercial and supply risks and develop mitigation plans.
• Track market conditions affecting pricing, availability, and programme.
• Report risks to senior stakeholders and propose solutions.

Data Analysis & Reporting

• Produce procurement reports covering category spend, supplier performance, rebates, and cost variance.
• Provide accurate procurement data for monthly cost reviews.
• Maintain data integrity and reporting accuracy within Evolution M.

Processes & Systems

• Ensure compliant order placement and approval workflows aligned with procurement policy.
• Maintain accurate price lists, supplier data, POs, and coding within Evolution M.
• Prepare and update preferred supplier frameworks and product ranges.
• Maintain procurement documentation including PQQs, agreements, rebate files, and approvals.
• Support continuous improvement of procurement systems and reporting tools.
• Provide guidance and basic training to staff on procurement processes.
• Conduct system checks and reconciliations to ensure reporting accuracy.
• Ensure documentation complies with GDPR and document control requirements.

Operational Procurement

• Plan and coordinate the procurement and delivery of materials and plant in line with programme and cashflow.
• Work with Site Managers and the Commercial Team on delivery priorities and lead times.
• Ensure accurate order placement and approval through Evolution M.
• Monitor spend and flag any potential overspend or variance.
• Manage GRN processes and resolve delivery/invoice issues promptly.
• Maintain procurement workbooks with committed costs and rebate opportunities.
• Provide accurate delivery schedules and manage long-lead items.
• Coordinate site clear-downs, ensuring surplus material returns where possible.
• Ensure authorisation of high-value orders and call-offs.
• Standardise procurement approaches to improve efficiency.

Labour Procurement

• Manage relationships with preferred temporary labour agencies.
• Ensure SLAs and labour rates are agreed prior to operatives attending site.
• Raise weekly labour orders based on timesheets and approved rates.
• Ensure subcontractors have valid insurances and completed PQQs.
• Monitor compliance with terms, rates, and documentation.

SHE Responsibilities

• Support procurement of SHEQ-related services.
• Align purchasing activity with SHEQ, sustainability, and ISO standards.
• Contribute to waste reduction and sustainable sourcing initiatives.

Experience, Knowledge & Skills

Essential

• Demonstrable experience in construction procurement.
• Track record managing procurement and commercial processes across multiple projects.
• Strong understanding of materials, supply chain performance, and contract terms.
• Experience supporting commercial reporting and cost analysis.
• Excellent negotiation, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
• Strong commercial acumen and analytical capability.
• High attention to detail and accuracy.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and procurement software (e.g., Evolution M).

Desirable

• Procurement or supply chain certification (e.g., CIPS).
• Experience with rebate management, contract negotiation, or commercial reporting.
• Knowledge of NEC/JCT contracts and their procurement implications.
• Experience supporting audits, governance, or continuous improvement activities.
• Understanding of sustainability, ethical sourcing, anti-bribery, and modern slavery compliance.

Decision-Making Capability

• Confident making purchasing decisions within delegated authority.
• Ability to balance cost, quality, risk, and programme.
• Skilled in using data to support commercial judgement.
• Capable of influencing senior stakeholders and presenting evidence-based recommendations.

Personal Attributes

• Strong team player with the ability to work independently.
• Professional, proactive, and solution-focused.
• Calm and adaptable under pressure.
• Commercially astute with a collaborative mindset.
• A positive influencer who promotes continuous improvement and high standards.