Assistant Buyer – Residential Groundworks Location: Grantham, Lincolnshire An established residential groundworks contractor with an annual turnover of approximately £40m is looking to recruit an Assistant Buyer to join its procurement team in Grantham. This is an excellent opportunity for someone looking to start a career in procurement and purchasing within the construction industry. Previous buying experience is not essential, as full training and support will be provided. The successful candidate will support the procurement team in sourcing materials, liaising with suppliers and ensuring orders are placed and delivered in line with project requirements. Responsibilities & Duties: • Assisting with the purchasing of construction materials, plant and subcontractor services. • Obtaining and comparing supplier quotations. • Raising purchase orders and tracking deliveries. • Liaising with suppliers, site teams and subcontractors. • Building and maintaining positive supplier relationships. • Monitoring material costs, availability and lead times. • Maintaining accurate purchasing records and documentation. • Supporting the procurement team with day-to-day administrative duties. • Helping resolve delivery issues and supplier queries. Requirements: • Strong organisational and communication skills. • Good attention to detail and willingness to learn. • Confident using Microsoft Office, particularly Excel. • Ability to work within a busy team and manage multiple tasks. • A proactive attitude with an interest in construction and procurement. The Opportunity: • Join an established £40m residential groundworks business. • Full training and support provided. • Opportunity to develop a career in construction procurement. • Long-term career progression within a growing business. Previous procurement experience is not required. Applications are welcomed from enthusiastic individuals looking to develop their skills and build a career in the construction industry
Assistant Buyer in Great Gonerby employer: Kenton Black
Join a leading subcontractor in the UK, where you will be part of a dynamic team working on a landmark £200m highways infrastructure project. We pride ourselves on fostering a collaborative work culture that values innovation and professional growth, offering our engineers the chance to develop their skills while contributing to significant civil engineering achievements. With a strong pipeline of work and long-term contract potential, this role provides not just a job, but a meaningful career path in a thriving industry.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Assistant Buyer in Great Gonerby
✨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 Kenton Black, 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 Assistant Buyer at Kenton Black.
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 Kenton Black
✨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!
