Buyer in Belfast

Gilbert-Ash is a multi-award winning business based in Belfast. As an Employee Owned Trust (EOT), Investors in People and Diversity Mark accredited business along with the accolade of Sunday Best Place to Work 2026, we are a people-centric workplace.

At Gilbert-Ash we think creatively to help our clients deliver stunning and often challenging projects. It’s about considering the impact we have on local communities and the wider world – finding unique ways to maximise positive opportunities and smarter ways to offset the negative. It’s about working in a genuinely collaborative way with clients, an approach that sees them returning to us year after year with new projects, new challenges and new opportunities to do something bigger than just building.

Summary of the Role:

Responsible for procuring materials, equipment, and services for construction projects, ensuring quality, cost-efficiency and timely delivery. This role also supports the company’s sustainability and environmental objectives by sourcing responsibly, minimising environmental impact, and promoting a sustainable supply chain.

Key Responsibilities / Accountabilities:

• Sourcing and procuring construction materials, equipment, and services in accordance with project specifications, budget constraints, and programme requirements.
• Comparing, analysing, and negotiating to secure the most favourable terms, in line with the company’s procurement guidelines and sustainable procurement policy.
• Ensuring quality materials are procured and delivered for all contracts in accordance with the Contract Programme and Procurement Schedule.
• Collaborating closely with the commercial and project teams to ensure procurement aligns with project budgets.
• Assessing current and future material procurement requirements, identifying any special or critical material and communicating any supply issues.
• Monitoring market trends and identifying cost-saving and sustainable value engineering opportunities.
• Building and maintaining strong relationships with suppliers and manufacturers and other relevant stakeholders.
• Identifying and onboarding new suppliers to strengthen supply chain resilience and sustainability, whilst ensuring successful completion of the Company’s supplier approval process.
• Monitoring and maintaining accurate records of supplier performance, including quality, reliability, and service levels, to inform future procurement decisions.
• Maintaining comprehensive and accurate records of procurement activities related to contracts on Gateway to ensure full traceability.
• Ensuring the smooth running of the Department and maintaining control procedures in accordance with ISO 9001, ISO 14001 as well as ISO 45001.
• Collating relevant documentation in relation to BREEAM including EPD’s and responsible sourcing certs.
• Being aware of and complying with the Company’s Health & Safety Policy.
• Being aware of and complying with the Company’s HR Policy and Procedures.
• Fulfilling the role of mentor as and when required.
• Fulfilling Company CPD requirements, undertaking all relevant training and development activities as required.
• Adhering to the Company’s Environmental, Social and Governance policy.

The above list is not exhaustive, and the post holder may be required to take on other duties and responsibilities for the effective and efficient performance of this role.

Person Specification:

Required Experience:

• Minimum of 2 years’ experience in a Buying / Estimating role.
• Sound understanding of the construction process.
• Working to tight deadlines.
• Preparing, producing and presenting reports.

Desirable Experience:

• Relevant technical knowledge.
• Previous work experience within the building/construction industry.

Required Education:

• Minimum of third level qualification.
• GCSE Maths and English.

Desirable Education:

• CIPS Membership.
• CIOB Accreditation.
• Recognised First Aid at Work Qualification.

Required Skills / Abilities:

• Ability to create and maintain good working relationships.
• Excellent negotiation skills.
• Proven trouble shooting skills.
• Excellent written and oral skills.
• Good working knowledge of Microsoft Office Packages.
• Excellent attention to detail.
• Good communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively as part of a team and independently.

Desirable Skills:

• Knowledge of Gateway software package.

Other:

Eligibility to work within the UK and ROI.

Equal Opportunities: Gilbert-Ash Ltd. is an equal opportunities employer and therefore is committed to promoting diversity and equality of opportunity and does not discriminate, whether on grounds of race, gender, sexual orientation, gender re-assignment, disability, age, class, religion or belief, community background or passport held. These principles underpin our professional behaviour and are embedded in our policies, procedures, day-to-day practices, and external relationships. We therefore welcome and encourage job applications from a fully diverse range of candidates.

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