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- Tasks: Join our Procurement team as a Buyer and shape the future of highways maintenance.
- Company: Balfour Beatty, a leader in construction and infrastructure.
- Benefits: Enjoy smart working, 25 days annual leave, and family-friendly policies.
- Why this job: Make a meaningful impact while gaining valuable procurement experience.
- Qualifications: Understanding of end-to-end procurement and strong problem-solving skills.
- Other info: Flexible working options and commitment to diversity and inclusion.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 42000 £ per year.
Shape the future with us. Our forward-thinking approach is transforming the industry and preparing communities for tomorrow’s challenges. Join our Procurement team as a Buyer within the Living Places Business Unit, where your contributions will make a meaningful impact you can take pride in. This role involves supporting a range of highways maintenance, SCAPE, and public realm contracts, and while travel to stakeholder depots is expected, we offer flexibility regarding your base location. This is a 12 month Fixed term contract.
Responsibilities
- Work closely with supply chain to ensure earliest possible involvement within the contracts.
- Using the Jaggaer e-procurement portal, development, and governance of package specific sourcing plans with project team, including RFIs/RFQs/RFPs.
- Evaluation of tender responses to compile award recommendations for approval, taking account of the total value of ownership.
- Maximise value for money and margin improvement opportunities across a range of direct categories, tracking, reporting on and managing day to day cost savings and cost avoidance.
- Co-ordination, governance, and maintenance of Procurement Schedules, in conjunction with Commercial teams.
- Carrying out due diligence, financial and commercial checks for supply partners in accordance with business governance.
- Process requisition orders and raise Purchase Orders in line with company procedures and delegated levels of authorities and expedite as required.
- Collaborate with suppliers and project team to assist with the resolution of supply issues as and when required, escalating as required.
- Monitor the supply market to identify potential new suppliers and products and lead meetings with suppliers to understand their products and the category market, keeping abreast of market developments, demand trends and risks to proactively support the project requirements.
- Support the delivery of Business and Group policies and our ambitions around sustainability, environmental, D&I and innovation programme, working proactively and collaboratively with supply chain to progress and maximize opportunity.
Qualifications
- An understanding of how to run end to end procurement projects from market research, through sourcing, to contract and supplier management.
- Results orientated with the ability to plan and deliver against bid / project milestones.
- Prior exposure to negotiating commercial deals and contractual terms and conditions.
- Analytical, numerically astute with well-developed problem-solving abilities.
- Awareness of commercial and financial risks and how to manage them.
- Robust problem-solving skills, ability to use own initiative to identify areas of improvement and propose solutions.
- Knowledge of the construction/civils market would be an advantage, but applicants from other sectors are also encouraged to apply if they have relevant experience in the procurement function.
- Experience of Oracle R12 or other ERP systems and Jaggaer e-procurement platforms advantageous; however, training can be provided if applicant has no experience of these.
Benefits
- Smart working, giving you more flexibility such as staggered start and finish times, with up to 40% remote working, where roles allow.
- 25 days paid annual leave (pro rata).
- Family friendly policies which include 28 weeks full pay for maternity/adoption leave and four weeks full pay for paternity/partners leave.
- Pension, share incentive plan, volunteering leave, recognition schemes and much more.
Diversity and inclusion
At Balfour Beatty we believe that diversity and inclusion are essential components of any successful, happy workplace. Through our Value Everyone Diversity and Inclusion Strategy and Action Plan, we are growing our diverse workforce and developing our inclusive culture where everyone is able to thrive and reach their full potential, regardless of their identity or background.
Buyer - 12 month FTC employer: Balfour
Contact Detail:
Balfour Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Buyer - 12 month FTC
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the procurement field and let them know you're on the lookout for opportunities. You never know who might have the inside scoop on a role that’s perfect for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Get ready for interviews by researching the company and its projects. Familiarise yourself with their procurement processes and be prepared to discuss how your skills can contribute to their goals, especially around sustainability and innovation.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your negotiation skills! Since this role involves commercial deals, think of scenarios where you can showcase your ability to negotiate effectively. Role-playing with a friend can help you feel more confident.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in being part of our team at Balfour Beatty.
We think you need these skills to ace Buyer - 12 month FTC
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Buyer role. Highlight your relevant experience in procurement and any specific projects you've worked on that align with the responsibilities mentioned in the job description.
Showcase Your Skills: Don’t forget to emphasise your analytical and problem-solving skills! We want to see how you can maximise value for money and improve margins, so share examples of how you've done this in past roles.
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use bullet points where possible to make it easy for us to read through your qualifications and experiences quickly.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to the right people and shows your enthusiasm for joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Balfour
✨Know Your Procurement Basics
Before the interview, brush up on your understanding of end-to-end procurement processes. Familiarise yourself with terms like RFIs, RFQs, and RFPs, as well as how to evaluate tender responses. This will show that you’re not just interested in the role but also knowledgeable about the industry.
✨Showcase Your Analytical Skills
Be prepared to discuss specific examples where you've used your analytical skills to solve problems or improve processes. Highlight any experience you have with cost savings or margin improvements, as this is crucial for the Buyer role.
✨Demonstrate Flexibility and Collaboration
Since the role involves working closely with supply chains and stakeholders, be ready to share experiences where you’ve successfully collaborated with others. Emphasise your ability to adapt to different situations and work effectively in a team.
✨Research the Company Culture
Take some time to understand Balfour Beatty's commitment to diversity and inclusion. Be ready to discuss how you can contribute to their inclusive culture and align with their values, especially around sustainability and innovation.