Senior Buyer

About The Role

Optimus Plus are now seeking an experienced Senior Buyer to join our growing team and support the successful execution of a diverse portfolio of projects. This is an excellent opportunity for a procurement professional with strong commercial awareness, supplier management experience and a proven track record in the procurement and fabrication management of process and utility pipework packages. The successful candidate will play a key role in ensuring materials and services are delivered safely, efficiently, on schedule and in line with project and client requirements.

This role is available on a full-time, short term (3/6 months) contractor basis initially, with the possibility of a longer term opportunity dependant on work scopes. It is based in our Aberdeen office on a flexible hybrid working model where 2 days per week can be worked remotely.

Role summary:

Reporting to the Projects & Procurement Lead, the Senior Buyer will be responsible for managing the full procurement lifecycle, from sourcing and tendering through to supplier management, expediting, logistics, delivery and close-out. The role requires close collaboration with engineering, project management, quality and supply chain personnel to ensure procurement activities support successful project execution. The role responsibilities are aligned with those typically assigned to a Senior Buyer position, including supplier management, bid evaluations, procurement reporting, contract administration, logistics coordination and compliance with company management systems.

Responsibilities:

• Lead procurement activities for engineering, fabrication and project-related materials and services.
• Manage the complete purchasing cycle, including RFQs, bid evaluations, commercial assessments, negotiations, purchase order placement and contract administration.
• Evaluate supplier quotations and prepare commercial recommendations based on technical, commercial and delivery requirements.
• Develop and maintain effective relationships with suppliers and fabrication contractors to achieve project objectives and deliver best value.
• Monitor supplier performance, quality and delivery schedules, identifying and managing supply chain risks.
• Prepare procurement plans, bid summaries, procurement status reports and expenditure approval documentation.
• Work closely with engineering teams to review material requisitions and ensure technical requirements are accurately captured within procurement packages.
• Coordinate supplier inspections, expediting activities, vendor meetings and package close-out activities.
• Manage logistics and freight forwarding activities to ensure timely delivery of materials and equipment.
• Participate in vendor assessments, supplier performance reviews and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Ensure compliance with company procedures, client requirements, industry standards and applicable legislation.
• Support and mentor junior procurement personnel where required.

Fabrication & Pipework Procurement Responsibilities:

• Manage the sourcing, procurement and fabrication oversight of process and utility pipework packages.
• Coordinate with fabrication contractors to ensure compliance with project specifications, quality requirements, inspection and test plans (ITPs) and delivery schedules.
• Monitor fabrication progress and supplier performance to ensure schedule commitments are achieved.
• Liaise with engineering, project delivery and QA/QC personnel to resolve technical, commercial and delivery issues throughout the fabrication process.
• Support supplier qualification, vendor assessments and fabrication contractor performance reviews.
• Maintain visibility of fabrication progress, key milestones and procurement risks, providing timely updates to project stakeholders.

Quality Management, Records & Traceability:

• Maintain accurate, complete and auditable procurement records in accordance with Optimus’ Quality Management System (QMS) requirements.
• Ensure full traceability of procurement activities, including requisitions, bid evaluations, technical and commercial clarifications, supplier communications, purchase orders, inspection records, certifications and supplier deliverables.
• Manage procurement documentation and workflows to ensure information is readily accessible, appropriately controlled and retained in accordance with company procedures and client requirements.
• Ensure procurement data, supplier documentation and project records are maintained to support project reporting, governance requirements, audits and lessons learned activities.
• Support internal and external audits by providing clear visibility and traceability of procurement decisions, supplier performance and project supply chain documentation.
• Promote consistency, compliance and continuous improvement across procurement processes and practices.

About You

Qualifications:

• CIPS Level 3 or equivalent (preferred)
• Minimum of 3 standard grades at grade 3 or higher or equivalent

Experience / competence:

• Significant experience in a Senior Buyer or equivalent procurement role within the energy, engineering, EPCM or industrial sectors.
• Proven experience in the procurement and management of fabrication activities for process and utility pipework packages.
• Strong commercial awareness with excellent negotiation and supplier management skills.
• Experience evaluating supplier bids and preparing commercial recommendations.
• Knowledge of supplier quality management, expediting, logistics and supply chain processes.
• Strong planning, organisational and stakeholder management skills.
• Experience working within a structured Quality Management System and maintaining robust procurement records and traceability.
• Understanding of document control, procurement governance and audit requirements.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office applications.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Personal attributes:

Our GENES, our core values, define who we are, what we stand for and how we deliver.

If this sounds like you, then you could be a perfect fit.

About Us

We are all about practical delivery. Our expert engineering solutions are always tailored, pragmatic, credible and fit for purpose. That is the Optimus way.

Optimus is an integrated, multi-discipline engineering design, project delivery and consultancy organisation. Founded in 1999, the business began as a consultancy with a headcount of just four. In the intervening years, Optimus has grown into a highly respected international engineering consultancy with almost 100 employees working for clients worldwide.

We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer and value inclusion and diversity. We welcome applications from all persons regardless of race, religion, colour, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran or disability status.