Buying Coordinator in Great Dunmow

Role Purpose

The Buyer will provide effective purchasing and administrative support to the Contracts, Operations, Warehouse and wider business teams, ensuring that materials, goods and services are ordered accurately, efficiently and in line with business requirements. This is a hands‑on administrative and buying role, suited to someone who is highly organised, process‑driven and confident managing purchase orders, supplier information, cost checks, order queries and day‑to‑day purchasing requests. The role will support the smooth running of site operations by ensuring that materials and services are sourced, ordered, tracked and recorded correctly. The Buyer will work closely with the People & Service Delivery Managers, Contracts Managers, Warehouse Manager to support both reactive site requirements and planned stock replenishment. The role will also help maintain supplier records, pricing information and procurement‑related documentation, contributing to reliable, cost‑effective and well‑controlled purchasing across the business. While this role requires buying experience, the primary focus is on strong administration, accuracy, communication, follow‑through, and the ability to keep procurement processes moving in a busy operational environment.

Main Responsibilities and Accountabilities of the role:

• Provide day‑to‑day administrative support for the procurement and buying function.
• Process material requisitions and purchasing requests using the company’s in‑house systems.
• Raise, check and manage purchase orders for materials, goods and services.
• Support the Operations and Contracts teams with same‑day and short‑notice purchasing requirements.
• Liaise with suppliers to obtain prices, confirm availability, place orders and progress deliveries.
• Monitor outstanding orders and follow up with suppliers to ensure materials and services are delivered on time.
• Resolve purchase order queries, delivery issues, invoice discrepancies and other supplier‑related administration.
• Support cost verification and approval processes for Contracts department orders.
• Maintain accurate supplier information, pricing agreements and procurement records.
• Update supplier cost agreements within the company’s estimating software.
• Support the pre‑approval process for new suppliers and subcontractors, ensuring required documentation is obtained and recorded.
• Upload and maintain supplier documents and information within the company’s IMS system.
• Assist the Warehouse Manager with stock replenishment, stock availability and maintaining suitable inventory levels.
• Support supplier communication and help obtain competitive pricing where required.
• Assist with supplier reviews, service level monitoring and basic commercial comparisons.
• Support utility administration, supplier communication and contract information as required.
• Prepare and submit regular procurement, purchasing and supplier‑related reports.
• Provide administrative support for fleet and logistics processes where required, ensuring relevant records and procedures are followed.
• Support Directors, managers and other departments with procurement‑related administration and project support as requested.
• Maintain accurate records and ensure purchasing activity is carried out in line with company procedures.
• Contribute to continuous improvement of purchasing administration, supplier records and internal procurement processes.

Skills and Experience

Essential:

• Previous experience in a buying, purchasing, procurement administration or similar commercial support role.
• Strong administrative skills with excellent attention to detail.
• Confident processing purchase orders, supplier information, pricing records and purchasing documentation.
• Highly organised, with the ability to manage multiple requests, priorities and deadlines.
• Good communication skills, with the ability to liaise professionally with suppliers, managers and internal teams.
• Able to follow processes accurately and maintain clear, reliable records.
• Comfortable working in a busy operational environment where priorities can change quickly.
• Good numeracy skills and the ability to check prices, costs, quantities and order details accurately.
• Competent user of Microsoft Office, particularly Outlook and Excel.
• Able to work effectively without close supervision, while knowing when to escalate queries or issues.
• Practical commercial awareness, with an understanding of the importance of cost, service, availability and supplier reliability.
• A proactive and helpful approach, with a willingness to support colleagues and keep tasks moving.
• Experience dealing with supplier queries, delivery issues or invoice/order discrepancies.

Preferred:

• Experience buying electrical, mechanical, construction or site‑related materials.
• Knowledge of electrical products, temporary site services or construction site operations.
• Experience working within a contractor, construction, engineering, facilities or trade environment.
• Experience using purchasing, stock control, estimating or ERP systems.
• Experience supporting supplier onboarding or maintaining supplier compliance records.
• Basic understanding of supplier terms, rebates, service levels or commercial agreements.
• CIPS qualification or working towards a procurement‑related qualification would be beneficial but is not essential.

Support and Training

The successful applicant will be expected to undertake departmental specific development and training. And will be provided with a comprehensive training plan for the role which will include spending time working with other teams in the business.

Remuneration & Benefits

We offer a competitive salary and, following successful completion of probation, we provide Private Medical and Dental Insurance. Other benefits include 23 days annual leave rising to 25 days with service plus public holidays. Life insurance is provided to staff with over 1 year’s continuous service.