At a Glance
- Tasks: Source and negotiate materials for major infrastructure projects, ensuring quality and compliance.
- Company: Join Barhale, a leading civil engineering firm with over 40 years of experience.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, generous leave, private medical, and career development opportunities.
- Other info: Be part of a supportive team culture focused on your well-being and career growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the construction industry while building strong supplier relationships.
- Qualifications: Experience in procurement within construction, strong negotiation skills, and IT proficiency required.
The predicted salary is between 49500 - 60500 £ per year.
About Barhale
Barhale is a business founded on family values, having been established by our Chairman, Dennis Curran, in 1980. We are one of the largest privately owned civil engineering and infrastructure specialists in the UK, with over 40 years of experience in providing design, civil engineering and maintenance services working across multiple sectors, including Water and Transport.
We operate as a tier-one partner for blue-chip, regulated, and private clients, working as part of large frameworks, joint ventures, and alliances, as well as on individual standalone projects, developing long-term relationships based on delivering to the Barhale values, which have been integral to our business since its inception in 1985.
Our direct delivery model is at the core of everything we do, as we believe that people are our greatest asset. Therefore, we robustly source, train and retain all our own frontline delivery teams as well as management and support services.
As a Senior Buyer you will be responsible for the planning and operational sourcing, negotiating, and ordering of Materials and Services essential for the delivery of our capital delivery projects. You will collaborate with your operational direct counterparts and other members of the procurement team, collectively working to provide best-in-class service for our delivery teams.
Your primary responsibilities will include procurement activities both within and outside of frameworks, collaborating with internal stakeholders to understand and source their commercial and product requirements while providing reports and data to drive departmental and business KPIs.
This role requires a detail-oriented individual with experience in sourcing materials in the construction/civil engineering environment, able to manage supplier relationships effectively while maintaining the highest standards of quality and compliance. You will thrive in a fast-paced environment, able to deliver a professional, customer-focused service, supporting the needs of our project & operational teams.
Procurement duties:
- Be responsible for representing Procurement during ender/Prestart meetings, Collaborative Project Delivery (CPD) & Internal Stakeholder meetings.
- Accountable for ensuring continuous communication with other team members to review allocated contract/project progress and address associated issues immediately.
- Collaborate with project teams to understand their procurement needs and provide timely support, identify & drive early procurement opportunities including long-lead items & bulk procurement, ordering necessary construction materials, or related services across all operational sectors.
- Ensure that procurement activities align with project schedules and budget constraints, optimising cost-efficiency without compromising on safety or quality.
- Ensuring our procurement activities align with the necessary frameworks and required standards.
- Developing strong relationships with key suppliers and category leads to both frameworks and the wider supply chain; monitoring supplier performance, and compliance with contractual agreements, holding supplier performance reviews, implementing corrective action where required.
- Negotiate contracts, terms, and pricing with suppliers to secure cost-efficient solutions while maintaining quality and service.
- Support the development of the sustainability and social impact agenda, proactively engaging the supply chain for innovations and new sustainable products or technologies.
- Being proactive regarding market trends, product and industry developments to anticipate changes in the supply chain and adjust approach, accordingly, leading as directed by the Procurement Manager on any specific commodity or category.
- Providing guidance and support on procurement best practices, fostering a culture of continuous improvement within the procurement department.
- Working with procurement team members and project teams to review contract progress and address associated issues immediately.
- Maintaining a full knowledge and understanding of the purchasing strategy and processes to ensure a professional and auditable procurement contract is in place.
- Supporting any other procurement related activities subject to business requirements.
Experienced in the procurement of Pipework, Valves, Aggregate, Precast & Readymix Concrete, Muckaway, Waste management and Soil Testing.
Promoting the provision of monthly spend reports, the creation of board and procurement reports to support informed decision making, taking necessary actions as identified.
Assisting in the delivery of the department KPIs, collaboratively analysing data to identify areas for improvement and acting accordingly.
Submitting detailed cost analysis to senior management and site teams for approval as required under company governance.
Providing reports and data identified by the Regional Procurement Manager relating to department and whole business requirements.
Managing and keeping up to date project procurement schedules, controlling and monitoring costs against project and framework budgets.
Maintenance and upkeep of order and supply chain records utilising the company’s purchase order system and procedures.
Purchasing experience, within the construction/civil engineering industry including knowledge of relevant industry regulations and standards.
Experience in the water sector with a keen understanding of associated Goods and Services.
Skilled negotiator, with proven experience in establishing long term relationships and an engaged, collaborative supply chain; Demonstrable commercial awareness, with the ability to control and monitor budgets.
A full UK driving license.
IT literate, proficient in the use of Microsoft Office.
Institute of Supply Chain Management (IoSCM), Institute of Procurement and Supply (IPS).
Proficient in the use of presentation software, with the ability to present to Senior Internal Stakeholders.
As a Gold Investors in People company and a Sunday Times 100 Best Company to Work For, we are committed to investing in people. From the moment you join us, your well-being and career aspirations will be supported by:
- Competitive salary
- Company Pension
- Life Assurance
- Private Medical
- 25 days of annual leave in addition to 8 public bank holidays and loyalty days
- Employee Assistance Programme to support your mental, physiological and financial wellbeing
- Flexible benefits via salary sacrifice
- Company car/green car scheme/car allowance/Van (dependent on position)
- Leadership & management training and coaching
- Regular line management engagement and appraisal to support your career progression
Buyer / Senior Buyer / Procurement in Peterborough employer: Barhale
Barhale is an exceptional employer that prides itself on its family values and commitment to employee development. With over 40 years of experience in the civil engineering sector, we offer a supportive work culture that fosters growth and innovation, alongside competitive benefits tailored to enhance your career in procurement. Join us in our vibrant location, where you can make a meaningful impact while enjoying a collaborative and inclusive environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Buyer / Senior Buyer / Procurement in Peterborough
✨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 Barhale.
✨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 Buyer / Senior Buyer / Procurement in Peterborough
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 Barhale:Your cover letter should read like you’re chatting directly to Barhale. 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 Barhale.
How to prepare for a job interview at Barhale
✨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 Barhale!
✨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 Barhale. 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 Barhale's culture.
