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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Assist in procuring construction materials and managing supplier relationships.
- Company: Join a leading company focused on social impact and sustainability in the construction industry.
- Benefits: Enjoy a dynamic work environment with opportunities for professional growth and development.
- Why this job: Be part of a team driving ethical sourcing and sustainability while gaining valuable industry experience.
- Qualifications: Relevant experience in construction or engineering, strong negotiation skills, and excellent communication abilities required.
- Other info: CIPS qualification is desirable; full UK driving licence needed.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 42000 £ per year.
Job Description
Assistant Buyer – Construction experience – Walsall
The Role
As an assistant buyer, you will be responsible for providing our nationwide delivery teams with a company-compliant professional material supply service whilst working with and supporting other business needs.
You will be communicating with internal business units, external suppliers, trade bodies and associations to achieve the best value on goods and services whilst being mindful of where materials are coming from within the supply chain, and ensuring the company continues to source ethically and sustainably.
The successful candidate will be joining a team which is at the forefront of developing the company's Social Impact and Sustainability objectives, giving you a great opportunity to play a key role in enforcing those goals.
Key Responsibilities:
Buying Tasks
- Procuring construction materials and related services across all operational sectors.
- Carrying out supplier selection, evaluating quotations, and negotiating prices and logistics.
- Proactively identifying market trends, product and industry developments and supply chain innovations through the engagement of external partners, leading as directed by the Procurement Manager on any specific commodity or category.
- Providing commercial assistance on the contracts you are procuring for.
- Liaising with sites and supply chain partners, developing relationships to ensure a planned "right-first-time" service is provided regarding safety, quality, programme, commercial aspects, and overall best value.
- Working with and supporting internal business needs regarding commercial and product awareness at all stages of the construction process, ensuring that we jointly deliver major programme requirements.
- Ensuring continuous communication with other team members to review contract progress and address associated issues immediately.
- Maintaining full knowledge and understanding of purchasing strategy and processes to ensure a professional and auditable procurement contract is in place.
Accountabilities
- Operating within financial governance levels
- Managing work priorities and maximising efficiencies
- Maintaining positive supplier relationships
- Adherence to procurement procedures
Administrative responsibilities
- Maintenance and upkeep of order and supply chain records utilising the company's purchase order system and procedures.
- Providing reports, data, and other material identified by the Procurement Manager relating to the department and whole business requirements, including KPIs.
- Submitting detailed analysis to procurement and project teams for approval in line with governance.
Key measures & targets:
- To provide evidence of best value regarding procurement, which may include commercial betterment, quality, and efficiency.
- To evidence supply chain engagement, including performance management under company objectives.
Key relationships:
- Procurement Manager / Supply Chain Manager / Senior Buyer / External Hire Desk Manager, and all levels of procurement personnel in both the central and regional teams
- All internal departments, including site operations, HSEQ, estimating, accounts and business development.
- External supply chain partners
Essential
- Relevant experience in a similar role, ideally within the Rail or construction/engineering industry
- Experienced negotiator, with the ability to establish long-term relationships and an engaged, collaborative supply chain
- Demonstrable commercial awareness, with the ability to control and monitor budgets
- Finely tuned communication skills regarding engaging with external and internal parties, including a confident and professional telephone manner
- Excellent computer literacy with experience using Microsoft Office packages
- In-house purchasing systems.
- Ability to cope with a demanding, fast-paced environment, ensuring deadlines are met
- Ability to make decisions using own initiative and work as part of a team
Desireable
- CIPS qualification or working towards CIPS
- Relevant degree or equivalent/or qualified by experience (QBE)
- A full UK driving licence
Assistant Buyer employer: Barclay Meade
Contact Detail:
Barclay Meade Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Assistant Buyer
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the latest trends in the construction industry, especially regarding sustainable materials and ethical sourcing. This knowledge will not only help you during interviews but also demonstrate your commitment to the company's Social Impact and Sustainability objectives.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the construction and procurement sectors. Attend industry events or join relevant online forums to connect with potential colleagues and suppliers. Building these relationships can give you insights into the company culture and expectations.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your negotiation strategies and experiences in detail. Think of specific examples where you've successfully negotiated prices or built long-term supplier relationships, as this is a key aspect of the Assistant Buyer role.
✨Tip Number 4
Showcase your computer literacy by being proficient in Microsoft Office and any purchasing systems you’ve used. If you have experience with data analysis or reporting, be ready to share how you've used these skills to support procurement decisions.
We think you need these skills to ace Assistant Buyer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Read the job description thoroughly to grasp the key responsibilities and requirements. Tailor your application to highlight your relevant experience in procurement, especially within the construction or engineering sectors.
Highlight Relevant Experience: In your CV and cover letter, emphasise your experience in negotiating with suppliers and managing budgets. Provide specific examples of how you've successfully procured materials or services in previous roles.
Showcase Communication Skills: Since the role involves liaising with various stakeholders, make sure to demonstrate your communication skills. Use clear and professional language in your application, and consider mentioning any experience you have in building relationships with suppliers or internal teams.
Proofread Your Application: Before submitting, carefully proofread your application for any spelling or grammatical errors. A polished application reflects your attention to detail, which is crucial for an Assistant Buyer role.
How to prepare for a job interview at Barclay Meade
✨Showcase Your Construction Knowledge
Make sure to highlight any relevant experience you have in the construction industry. Be prepared to discuss specific projects you've worked on and how your role contributed to their success.
✨Demonstrate Negotiation Skills
Since the role requires strong negotiation abilities, come prepared with examples of past negotiations you've successfully handled. Discuss the strategies you used and the outcomes achieved.
✨Emphasise Sustainability Awareness
Given the company's focus on social impact and sustainability, be ready to talk about your understanding of ethical sourcing and sustainable practices in procurement. Share any relevant experiences or ideas you have.
✨Prepare for Team Collaboration Questions
The role involves working closely with various teams and stakeholders. Think of examples that demonstrate your ability to collaborate effectively, resolve conflicts, and maintain positive relationships with suppliers and colleagues.
