At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage procurement activities for exciting engineering projects and ensure timely delivery of materials.
- Company: Join a leading company in engineering and construction with a collaborative culture.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, private healthcare, generous leave, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Enjoy a hybrid work model and a supportive team environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on high-profile projects while developing your procurement skills.
- Qualifications: CIPS Level 4 or equivalent, with experience in sourcing and supplier negotiations.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.
Competitive Salary + Excellent Benefits
9 day fortnight | Hybrid 2 days in office | Aldermaston or Chorley
Are you an experienced Buyer with a background in engineering, construction, defence or manufacturing? Do you thrive in a fast-paced project environment where your procurement expertise directly contributes to successful project delivery?
We're looking for a proactive and commercially minded Buyer to join our growing team, taking ownership of procurement activities across a range of exciting and complex projects.
The Role
As a Buyer, you'll play a critical role in supporting project delivery through effective sourcing, supplier management and procurement planning. Working closely with Project Managers, Engineering teams and suppliers, you'll ensure materials and services are procured on time, within budget and to the required technical specifications. You'll also contribute to supplier performance management and continuous improvement initiatives, helping to strengthen our supply chain and deliver exceptional project outcomes.
Key Responsibilities
- Manage procurement activities across assigned projects in line with programme and budget requirements.
- Prepare and issue RFQs and ITTs based on technical specifications.
- Evaluate quotations and produce tender evaluations and recommendations.
- Develop and maintain Procurement Schedules, providing regular project updates.
- Place purchase orders ensuring contractual and technical requirements are fully incorporated.
- Expedite orders and manage supplier delivery performance.
- Resolve supplier issues and escalate complex matters where appropriate.
- Maintain accurate procurement documentation and audit trails.
- Attend project meetings to provide procurement updates and identify risks.
- Support supplier onboarding and maintain supplier records.
- Assist Finance with invoice matching and procurement information.
Tender & Bid Support
- Support early supplier engagement during bid phases.
- Source and benchmark suppliers for new opportunities.
- Coordinate RFQ packs and tender returns.
- Produce procurement cost summaries, assumptions and risk assessments.
- Contribute supplier performance feedback to support future business opportunities.
Governance & Compliance
- Ensure procurement activities comply with company policies and delegated authority levels.
- Maintain robust documentation and procurement records.
- Proactively communicate procurement risks and delivery challenges.
- Build strong relationships with internal stakeholders and external suppliers to drive collaborative project delivery.
About You
You'll be an organised and commercially aware procurement professional who enjoys working across multiple projects and building strong supplier relationships.
Essential Qualifications
- CIPS Level 4 (or equivalent)
- IOSH Managing Safely or Level 2 Health & Safety qualification (training can be provided if required)
Essential Experience
- Proven experience in sourcing, RFQ management and supplier negotiations.
- Strong understanding of commercial, technical and quality requirements within procurement.
- Experience within project-based procurement in engineering, construction, defence or manufacturing environments.
Skills
- Excellent communication and negotiation skills.
- Ability to manage multiple procurement packages simultaneously.
- High attention to detail and strong organisational skills.
- Collaborative approach with cross-functional teams.
- Proficient in procurement systems, Microsoft Office and document management software.
- Methodical approach to documentation and record keeping.
What's on Offer?
- 37.5-hour working week
- Overtime paid at Time & Half (37.5-60 hours)
- Double Time for 60+ hours and Sundays
- Life Assurance - 3x annual salary
- Private Healthcare
- Company Pension (5% employer contribution / 4% employee contribution)
- Discretionary Bonus Scheme
- 187.5 hours annual leave
- Professional membership fees paid
- Opportunity to work on high-profile engineering projects within a supportive and collaborative environment.
Apply Now
If you're looking for a role where your procurement expertise has a direct impact on project success and where you'll work alongside talented engineering and project teams, we'd love to hear from you. Apply today and become part of a business delivering complex projects with quality, collaboration and excellence at its core.
Buyer employer: Highfield Professional Solutions Ltd
Join a dynamic and supportive team as a Buyer in Aldermaston or Chorley, where your procurement expertise will directly influence the success of high-profile engineering projects. Enjoy a competitive salary, excellent benefits including a 9-day fortnight, private healthcare, and opportunities for professional growth in a collaborative work culture that values quality and excellence.
Contact Details:
Highfield Professional Solutions Ltd Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Buyer
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the engineering and procurement sectors. Attend industry events or webinars, and don’t be shy about introducing yourself. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its projects. Understand their procurement processes and be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their needs. We want you to shine, so practice common interview questions related to sourcing and supplier management.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your skills through real-life examples. When discussing your experience, highlight specific projects where you successfully managed procurement activities. This will demonstrate your ability to contribute to project success, just like we do at StudySmarter!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining our team and contributing to exciting projects in engineering and procurement.
We think you need these skills to ace Buyer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Buyer role. Highlight your experience in procurement, especially in engineering or construction. We want to see how your skills match what we're looking for!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're the perfect fit for our team. Share specific examples of your procurement successes and how they relate to the projects we handle.
Showcase Your Skills:Don’t forget to highlight your communication and negotiation skills in your application. We value collaboration, so let us know how you've worked with teams and suppliers to achieve great results.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Highfield Professional Solutions Ltd
✨Know Your Procurement Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your procurement knowledge, especially in engineering and project environments. Be ready to discuss your experience with RFQs, supplier negotiations, and how you've managed procurement activities in past projects.
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
As a Buyer, you'll need to work closely with various teams and suppliers. Prepare examples of how you've effectively communicated and collaborated in previous roles. Highlight any instances where your communication skills helped resolve issues or improve supplier relationships.
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that put you in hypothetical situations related to procurement challenges. Think about how you would handle supplier delivery issues or budget constraints. Practising these scenarios can help you articulate your problem-solving approach during the interview.
✨Demonstrate Your Organisational Skills
Since the role involves managing multiple procurement packages, be prepared to discuss how you stay organised. Share specific tools or methods you use to keep track of procurement schedules and documentation, as this will show your attention to detail and methodical approach.
