At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage purchasing for projects, negotiate with suppliers, and ensure timely delivery of materials.
- Company: Established civil engineering company with a strong reputation in the industry.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, 26 days annual leave, flexible working hours, and career development opportunities.
- Other info: Opportunity to work closely with site teams and develop strategic supplier relationships.
- Why this job: Join a dynamic team and make a real impact on exciting civil engineering projects.
- Qualifications: Experience in civil engineering procurement and strong negotiation skills required.
We are currently recruiting for a Regional Buyer to join the purchasing function of a well-established civil engineering company based in Huntingdon. Reporting to the Supply Chain Manager, this is an integral role responsible for supporting both tender and live projects, securing competitive material costs and developing strong, long-term supplier relationships. The successful candidate will have a strong background in civil engineering procurement, materials purchasing, aggregates, waste or a related site-based environment, with a proven ability to control costs, negotiate with suppliers and ensure materials are delivered to the required specification, quality and programme.
Key Responsibilities
- Manage purchasing requirements for allocated tender projects, working alongside the Pre-Contracts Buyer to establish competitive and commercially viable costs.
- Ensure materials for live contracts are purchased to the correct specification, at competitive prices and delivered on time.
- Develop and implement effective negotiation strategies to achieve the best commercial outcomes.
- Maintain and develop strategic relationships with key suppliers.
- Identify new suppliers and negotiate supply agreements where required.
- Assist in improving purchasing processes and reducing external spend.
- Develop a strong working knowledge of the company's ERP system, COINS, and SharePoint.
- Read and interpret technical drawings and extract quantities where required.
- Represent the purchasing department at internal meetings when required.
- Support the Supply Chain Manager with the coordination of purchasing activities, focusing on cost, delivery and quality.
- Work closely with site teams to obtain material take-offs and purchasing requirements at the earliest opportunity.
- Take a proactive approach to purchasing by consolidating volumes wherever possible to secure improved commercial rates.
- Explore opportunities to utilise materials already available on existing sites rather than unnecessarily purchasing and importing new materials.
- Liaise with local and national authorities, including National Highways and Cambridgeshire County Council, regarding the suitability and adoption of aggregates and other materials.
- Maintain strong relationships with existing suppliers and ensure opportunities are communicated to suppliers offering the best value.
- Challenge traditional supply-and-delivery arrangements, particularly within aggregates, by exploring collect rates and arranging haulage through existing contacts where commercially advantageous.
- Work with external waste and geotechnical consultants during both tender and live project stages to identify and maximise opportunities.
- Maintain close communication with site teams, ensuring they are involved throughout the purchasing process and able to provide practical input.
- Ensure available administrative support is utilised effectively, allowing the role to remain focused on skilled purchasing and commercial activities.
Skills & Experience
- Previous experience within a civil engineering purchasing, procurement, site-based, aggregates or waste environment.
- Ideally around 5 years' relevant experience, although candidates with strong transferable experience will also be considered.
- Proven track record of controlling and reducing external spend.
- Strong supplier relationship management and negotiation skills.
- Experience developing and maintaining a robust supplier base.
- Strong commercial and financial awareness.
- Ability to identify opportunities to achieve improved value and successfully negotiate and close deals.
- Experience purchasing bespoke or manufactured items.
- Good understanding of modern purchasing techniques.
- Strong Microsoft Office skills, particularly Excel, Word and PowerPoint.
- Experience using COINS and SharePoint would be advantageous.
- Ability to read technical drawings and extract quantities.
- Construction-related qualifications are desirable but not essential.
- CIPS qualification or working towards CIPS is desirable but not essential.
- Full UK driving licence is required.
Working Hours & Benefits
- 40 hours per week, with working hours to suit the needs of the department.
- 1-hour lunch break per day.
- 26 days' annual leave, excluding bank holidays.
Regional Buyer in London employer: Bennett and Game Recruitment LTD
Join a rapidly expanding engineering business in Ipswich, where you will receive comprehensive training and development as a Junior Technical Sales Engineer. With a strong focus on employee growth, this role offers the unique opportunity to blend technical engineering with customer interaction, all within a supportive work culture that encourages progression into more autonomous positions. Enjoy a competitive salary and the chance to engage directly with customers, enhancing your skills in a dynamic environment.
Contact Details:
Bennett and Game Recruitment LTD Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Regional Buyer in London
✨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 Bennett and Game Recruitment LTD.
✨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 Regional Buyer in London
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 Bennett and Game Recruitment LTD:Your cover letter should read like you’re chatting directly to Bennett and Game Recruitment LTD. 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 Bennett and Game Recruitment LTD.
How to prepare for a job interview at Bennett and Game Recruitment LTD
✨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 Bennett and Game Recruitment LTD!
✨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 Bennett and Game Recruitment LTD. 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 Bennett and Game Recruitment LTD's culture.
