Senior Buyer

The opportunity has arisen to join an industry leader in the UK’s Building Services providers. We design, develop and deliver a wide range of offsite-prefabricated, innovative and sustainable building service solutions throughout the UK & Ireland. Alternative Heat specialises in the design, supply and installation of a wide range of Pre-Fabricated energy solutions, typically built in NI and shipped throughout the UK & Ireland. We also offer turnkey design, build & operate solutions for commercial energy centres and large-scale district heating solutions and have experience with successfully procuring and delivering many similar packages to a wide range of public bodies throughout Ireland & the UK.

We are currently looking to fill the role of Senior Commercial Buyer to support our growing Purchasing Team in our Belfast Office. This post is a permanent contract and offers an amazing opportunity for a candidate who wants to gain experience with a progressive and dynamic company to further their career.

Key Responsibilities

• Sourcing, negotiating, and procuring mechanical and electrical components, equipment, and materials while ensuring cost efficiency, quality, and timely delivery.
• Identifying and selecting reliable suppliers/contractors for live projects.
• Ensuring all mechanical components meet required technical specifications and quality standards.
• Addressing any technical concerns with suppliers and internal teams to ensure product compatibility.
• Managing the delivery of all material & plant to site in a clear and professional manner by ensuring all items are available when required, through the setting-out of an informative draw-off schedule.
• Developing and executing procurement strategies aligned with company objectives.
• Preparing reports on procurement activities, cost savings, and supplier performance metrics.
• Liaising with the commercial lead to ensure project expenditure is in line with budgetary allowance.
• Building, managing & maintaining relationships with clients, suppliers, contractors, and other construction professionals including site operatives.
• Working to ensure all supplier invoices are cleared for payment in a timely manner to maintain the high level of positive supplier relations expected by the company.
• Performing daily, weekly, and monthly checks to ensure all paperwork is up to date, all sites are being efficiently serviced, and efficiency remains at the expected high level.
• Reporting to the Procurement Manager daily and company directors as required.
• Following the robust processes/controls in place to increase efficiency and improve performance.
• Ensuring a safe working environment abiding by all necessary H&S requirements and legislation.
• Any other duties required to fulfil the requirements of the position.

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

Essential Criteria:

• Minimum 4-5 years of procurement, sourcing or commercial buying experience in the M&E sector.
• Proven track record in negotiating high-value contracts and cost reduction strategies.
• Extensive and demonstrable experience of the management of mechanical/electrical ordering.
• Ability to manage procurement budgets and meet financial targets.
• Familiarity with contracts, pricing structures, and commercial terms.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills for stakeholder and supplier engagement.
• Organized and structured approach to your work.
• Enthusiastic adopter/user of IT systems, with proficiency in Microsoft Office, especially Microsoft Excel.
• Excellent negotiating skills.
• Ability to work under pressure and cope with a varied portfolio of work, progressing with reduced supervision.
• Proven record of delivering on-time quality work within budget and with minimal supervision.
• Previous experience in a procurement role.

Desirable Criteria:

• Management of large scale Mechanical & Electrical material ordering including drawing off materials in batches to meet project programmes.
• Ability to use a company accounting system (training will be provided).