At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage plant procurement, utilisation, and compliance for construction projects.
- Company: Dynamic construction firm focused on operational efficiency and safety.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career growth, and a collaborative work environment.
- Other info: Opportunity to work with a supportive team and develop your career in the construction industry.
- Why this job: Play a key role in ensuring project success and profitability through effective plant management.
- Qualifications: Experience in construction or civil engineering with strong organisational skills.
The predicted salary is between 31500 - 38500 £ per year.
Location: Aylesham, Kent CT3 3EP
Hours: 7:30am – 5pm
Role Purpose
The Plant Buyer / Manager is responsible for the operational, commercial, and compliance control of all plant and equipment used across the business. The role exists to ensure that plant is:
- Available when required
- Commercially controlled
- Fully compliant and safe
- Efficiently utilised
- Properly tracked through company systems
This is not an administrative role. This is a control role. The Plant Coordinator is a control function responsible for protecting project profitability, operational efficiency, and programme delivery through disciplined management of plant procurement, utilisation, logistics, compliance, and cost control. The role requires proactive management, ownership, commercial awareness, and the ability to challenge inefficiency, waste, and poor operational practices.
Key Responsibilities
Plant Procurement & Control
- Procure hired plant and equipment at competitive market rates
- Ensure all plant orders are aligned with programme requirements and operational need
- Challenge unnecessary, excessive, or poorly planned plant requests
- Maintain active control over all plant costs across projects
- Ensure no plant is ordered without proper authorisation or justification
- Ensure all plant procurement activity is managed through company systems
Plant Utilisation & Cost Management
- Monitor utilisation of all hired and owned plant
- Identify and eliminate idle, duplicated, or unnecessary plant
- Ensure off-hires are actioned immediately when plant is no longer required
- Maintain visibility of plant cost exposure across all live projects
- Support operational teams in reducing plant-related waste and inefficiency
- Prioritise use of owned plant before external hire where possible
Owned Asset Management
- Maintain an accurate and up-to-date plant and asset register
- Track plant location, utilisation, condition, certification, and maintenance status
- Ensure all inspections, servicing, and compliance requirements are current
- Coordinate repairs, servicing, and replacement requirements where necessary
- Maintain accountability for all company-owned assets
Logistics & Operational Coordination
- Coordinate deliveries, collections, and transfers of plant between sites
- Ensure plant availability aligns with project programmes and sequencing
- Minimise failed deliveries, unnecessary transport movements, and operational disruption
- Communicate proactively with site teams regarding plant requirements and changes
Compliance & Safety
- Ensure all plant used by the business is compliant with legal and company requirements
- Maintain accurate and accessible certification and inspection records
- Ensure no non-compliant plant is permitted on site
- Escalate compliance or safety concerns immediately
- Support audit readiness across all plant-related activities
Systems & Process Discipline
- Use COINS ERP and associated company systems for all plant-related activity
- Ensure all plant orders, hires, off-hires, costs, and asset records are accurately maintained
- Support the business transition toward improved operational and commercial controls
- Ensure no off-system hires or undocumented plant activity exists
- Maintain accurate data to support commercial reporting and operational decision-making
Key Working Relationships
The Plant Coordinator will work closely with the Procurement, Site, Commercial, Construction, maintenance and accounts team within the business. They will need to ensure they develop and maintain a good working relationship with external hire suppliers and manufacturers.
Experience & Competencies Required
Essential
- Experience within construction, civil engineering, or groundworks operations
- Strong understanding of plant hire, utilisation, logistics, and compliance
- Commercial awareness and cost control capability
- Ability to manage multiple live operational requirements simultaneously
- Strong organisational and communication skills
- Experience using operational or ERP systems
- Ability to challenge poor planning, waste, and inefficiency
Desirable
- Experience using COINS ERP
- Experience managing owned plant assets
- Understanding of LOLER, PUWER, and plant compliance requirements
- Groundworks or civil engineering sector experience
Behavioural Expectations
The Plant Coordinator is expected to operate with:
- Ownership
- Accountability
- Accuracy
- Urgency
- Commercial awareness
- Proactivity
- Operational discipline
Problems are expected to be identified early, communicated clearly, and controlled proactively. Reactive management, assumptions, undocumented activity, or poor cost visibility are not acceptable.
Locations
Construction Plant Coordinator in Aylesham, Kent employer: Datum Groundworks Ltd
As a Civils Quantity Surveyor at our Operations Office in Aylesham, near Canterbury, Kent, you will join a dynamic team dedicated to delivering exceptional financial control on projects across the South East of England. We pride ourselves on fostering a supportive work culture that encourages professional growth and development, offering competitive salaries and clear pathways for career advancement. With a strong order book and a commitment to employee well-being, we provide a unique opportunity to thrive in a rewarding environment where your contributions are valued.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Construction Plant Coordinator in Aylesham, Kent
✨Join Construction Networks
Get yourself involved in local construction networks or industry events. They often have job boards, and networking can lead to unadvertised positions. Plus, it’s a great way to meet potential future colleagues!
✨Show Off Your Skills on Site
If you’ve done any hands-on work, whether it's through internships or personal projects, make sure you can showcase it. Consider volunteering for local construction projects or getting involved in community build days; it’s a solid way to demonstrate your skills and build connections.
✨Utilise Construction Job Sites
Don't just rely on the big job boards. Look at niche construction job sites—many companies prioritise these for full-time roles. Apply through these sites, but don’t forget to reach out directly to companies you admire, like Datum Groundworks Ltd, to express your interest!
✨Tailor Your Application for Full-Time Roles
Make your application stand out by tailoring it specifically for full-time positions. Highlight how your previous projects align with the company's work. At StudySmarter, we encourage you to demonstrate your commitment and long-term interest in the industry when applying for roles like Construction Plant Coordinator at Datum Groundworks Ltd.
We think you need these skills to ace Construction Plant Coordinator in Aylesham, Kent
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Relevant Experience:In the construction industry, it's essential to highlight any hands-on experience you have. Whether it’s past projects you've worked on or specific roles you've held, make sure your CV emphasises your practical skills and contributions to construction sites.
Include Certifications and Qualifications:Don’t forget to list any certifications relevant to construction, like CSCS cards or other safety qualifications. These can really set you apart from other candidates and show that you’re serious about health and safety on-site.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to Construction:When writing your cover letter for a construction role, focus on your problem-solving capabilities and teamwork. Construction relies heavily on collaboration, so mention how you’ve worked successfully with others to complete projects on time and within budget.
Adapt Your CV Format to the Field:Ensure your CV is clear and easy to read, with sections dedicated to skills such as project management, technical abilities, and site supervision. Construction roles often require a blend of technical know-how and soft skills, so make sure both are highlighted effectively.
How to prepare for a job interview at Datum Groundworks Ltd
✨Brush Up on Technical Knowledge
For a construction role, it's crucial we have a solid grasp of industry standards, safety protocols, and specific tools used on-site. Make sure you're familiar with relevant regulations and can talk confidently about them, as these often come up in interviews.
✨Showcase Your Projects
Since this is a full-time position, be ready to discuss any previous construction projects you've worked on. Bring a portfolio or have detailed descriptions that highlight your role, the challenges you faced, and how you overcame them—this’ll show you’re not just book-smart but also practically savvy.
✨Understand the Team Dynamics
Construction is all about teamwork, so prepare to discuss how you interact with different stakeholders like architects, engineers, and contractors. Maybe think of examples from past experiences to illustrate your ability to communicate and collaborate effectively.
✨Prepare for On-the-Spot Problem Solving
Be ready for some practical questions or scenarios where you'll need to demonstrate your problem-solving skills. Interviewers might present you with a hypothetical construction issue to solve, so practice articulating your thought process clearly and logically—this could really set you apart!
