At a Glance
- Tasks: Shape the supply chain and drive value through innovative procurement strategies.
- Company: Join Balfour Beatty, a leader in delivering impactful infrastructure projects.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, generous leave, and a supportive family-friendly environment.
- Other info: Diversity and inclusion are at our core; we welcome all applicants.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the construction industry while developing your career.
- Qualifications: Experience in procurement and strong negotiation skills are essential.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 65000 £ per year.
About The Role
Shape the supply chain. Make a real difference. We’re looking for an experienced Senior Buyer to play a pivotal role in delivering a programme within our UKCS Regional Buildings team. This is a high-impact role for a procurement professional who thrives on complexity, collaboration and driving real value through the supply chain. Working as part of a forward-thinking Procurement Function, you'll facilitate best end-to-end procurement activities including preparation of tender lists and robust RQF's, management and evaluation of returns, sourcing recommendations, ownership of Procurement schedule updates and input into procurement strategies. This role will require travel.
What you’ll be doing
- The role requires a dynamic individual who can support further development of our supply chain to suit our strategic pursuits. This will include maintaining a Demand Planning Tool, running supplier RFIs and managing a supplier database.
- The Senior Buyer will go on to develop Intel Reports, facilitate Business-to-Business meetings with the supply chain, and utilise this information to support work-winning activities.
- Assist in development and maintenance of Demand Planning Tool.
- Run supplier RFIs and capture information in Database.
- Facilitate and attend Business-to-Business meetings with new and existing supply chain.
- Support projects in setting up and governing best practice procurement process.
- Preparation of invitation to tenders and requests for quotations for subcontract, materials and service requirements.
- Carry out due diligence including performance and reference checks for supply chain selection.
- Complete a full evaluation of tender responses and compile award recommendations for approval.
- Support delivery of business and project targets are communicated and ultimately met via our supply chain.
- Establish long-term relationships with the supply chain focusing on competency, value for money and quality to drive the Right First-Time initiative.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with all stakeholders.
- Liaise with the Project teams to assist with resolution of any supply chain challenges or issues and lead in a collaborative manner.
- Management of Procurement Schedules.
- Identify opportunities for cost reduction or innovative solutions (eg MMC, low carbon etc).
- Support work-winning and other internal stakeholders in supply chain initiatives, selection and intel reports.
- Ensuring adherence to procurement processes and procedures including utilisation of our central strategic agreements and the Blue Pound where necessary.
- Support the delivery of the Balfour Beatty H&S, Quality and Sustainability targets.
- Support any supply chain events, workshops and initiatives.
- Provide support and training to internal stakeholders on digital tools.
Who we’re looking for
- Good understanding of running end-to-end procurement projects from market research, through sourcing, to contract and supplier management.
- Able to prioritise a challenging workload of competing priorities with various stakeholders.
- Results-orientated with the ability to plan and deliver against bid/project milestones.
- Some experience in negotiating commercial deals and contractual terms and conditions.
- Problem-solving skills, ability to use own initiative to identify areas of improvement and propose solutions.
- Demonstrates strong written and verbal skills.
- Commercially and financially aware with well-developed negotiating skills.
- Strong communication, interpersonal and influencing skills.
- Thinks creatively and pragmatically to apply commercial good practice to solve business problems.
- Able to quickly learn and work with new processes and IT systems.
- Customer-focussed.
- Knowledge of the Construction & Buildings supply chain and/or market.
- MCIPS / studying towards CIPS / equivalent qualifications or experience.
- Knowledge of procurement ERP and e-tendering systems (e.g. Oracle, Jaggaer or similar).
- Knowledge of Subcontract Procurement Process.
- Supply Chain Management Experience.
- Proficiency in the use of Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint).
- Demonstrates negotiation skills.
Why work for us
Day in, day out, our teams deliver some of the UK’s most ambitious, exciting and meaningful projects; developing, building and maintaining the vital infrastructure that supports national economies and strengthens communities.
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/partner’s leave.
- Pension, share incentive plan, volunteering leave, recognition schemes and much more.
About Us
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. We are a Disability Confident Employer, committed to working with people who have disabilities and long-term health conditions to remove barriers for them in obtaining employment. We are also committed to offering applicants with a disability an interview if they meet the minimum requirements for the role. We are committed to ensuring a fair and inclusive resourcing process for all.
Senior Buyer - UKCS Regional Buildings employer: Balfour
Balfour Beatty is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment where procurement professionals can thrive while contributing to impactful projects that shape the UK's infrastructure. With a strong focus on employee well-being, we provide flexible working arrangements, generous leave policies, and robust support for professional development, ensuring that our team members can grow and succeed in their careers. Our commitment to diversity and inclusion fosters a collaborative culture where every individual is valued, making Balfour Beatty a truly rewarding place to work.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Buyer - UKCS Regional Buildings
✨Get Savvy with Industry Perks
Join procurement and purchasing forums or groups where pros hang out, like CIPS (Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply). They'll share the inside scoop on job openings that might not show up on traditional job boards!
✨Show Off Your Skills
Consider creating a portfolio that outlines your achievements in procurement, like cost-saving initiatives or supplier management strategies. Having tangible evidence of your skills can really set you apart when applying to companies like Balfour.
✨Tap into Your Network
Leverage LinkedIn to connect with professionals in procurement—follow relevant hashtags, join groups, and engage in discussions. This is a great way to get noticed by potential employers before they even post a job!
✨Keep Your Eyes on Job Boards
With full-time positions, timing can be everything. Set alerts on job boards specifically for procurement roles. Don't wait for a job posting to close; apply through our website as soon as you see a fit—being proactive can give you the edge!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Buyer - UKCS Regional Buildings
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Procurement Know-How:When you're crafting your CV, make sure to highlight any procurement-specific skills you've got. Talk about your experience with supplier negotiations, cost analysis, or inventory management. If you’ve used software like SAP or Oracle, don’t forget to mention that too – it shows you know your way around the tech side of things!
Quantify Your Achievements:In procurement, numbers matter. Use your CV and cover letter to showcase any quantifiable achievements you've made in reducing costs or improving efficiencies. For example, mentioning that you helped save 20% on purchasing costs last year is way more impressive than just saying you managed the budget!
Tailor Your Cover Letter to Balfour:Your cover letter should read like you’re chatting directly to Balfour. Research the company’s procurement strategy, mention how your skills align with their goals, and share your enthusiasm for contributing to their success. This personal touch can really set you apart from the crowd!
Professional Certs Can Go a Long Way:If you've got any procurement-related certifications, such as CIPS or APICS, make sure they're front and centre on your CV. These qualifications show you're serious about your career in procurement and are committed to continuous learning. It’s a great way to signal your expertise and dedication to potential employers like Balfour.
How to prepare for a job interview at Balfour
✨Show Off Your Negotiation Skills
In procurement, strong negotiation skills are key. Be ready to share examples of past negotiations where you've successfully saved costs or improved supplier terms. We want to hear how you approached those situations and the strategies you used to achieve positive outcomes!
✨Know Your Tools
Make sure you’re familiar with procurement software and tools commonly used in the industry, such as SAP Ariba or Coupa. Come prepared to discuss any experiences you've had with these tools or similar platforms, as we need someone who can hit the ground running at Balfour!
✨Understand Market Trends
As a procurement professional, being aware of market trends can set you apart. Brush up on recent developments in supply chain management or procurement best practices and think about how they could impact your role at Balfour. Bringing a current perspective will show your enthusiasm for the industry.
✨Demonstrate Your Team Player Attitude
A full-time position means you'll be working closely with various teams. Be prepared to discuss how you collaborate with others, manage conflicts, and build relationships with stakeholders. Sharing anecdotes about past teamwork experiences will highlight your ability to fit into Balfour's culture.
