Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead procurement for high-profile civil engineering projects and shape strategic sourcing.
- Company: Join a leading water industry organisation with a focus on sustainability and innovation.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, family-friendly leave, health support, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Dynamic work environment with clear pathways for career progression.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the water sector while advancing your career in procurement.
- Qualifications: Significant procurement experience in construction or civil engineering is essential.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 60000 ÂŁ per year.
This is a fantastic opportunity to contribute to one of the water industry’s most critical challenges while developing your expertise across data, network operations, and strategic resolution planning. Onsite is part of the South Staffordshire Group – a 3,000‑strong organisation behind South Staffs Water, Cambridge Water, and several leading utility support businesses – offering long‑term development and career progression.
We’re looking for an experienced Lead Buyer to join OnSite PaCE at a pivotal time in our growth. This is a high‑impact role for a senior procurement professional who thrives in a fast‑paced, project‑led environment and enjoys working closely with commercial, operational, and site teams. You’ll play a critical role in delivering high‑profile civil engineering projects, shaping procurement strategy, protecting margins, and strengthening our supply chain. For the right person, this role offers a clear and supported pathway to Procurement Manager.
The Role
- Leading subcontract and specialist package procurement
- Managing commercial risk, cost control, and price volatility (steel, concrete, fuel, etc.)
- Negotiating strategic deals, rebates, and group‑wide bulk agreements
- Driving framework compliance (e.g. United Utilities, Severn Trent, Anglian Water, Environment Agency)
- Supporting Early Contractor Involvement (ECI) and value engineering initiatives at tender and design stage
- Managing plant and equipment hire strategies (hire vs buy, utilisation, off‑hire waste)
- Coordinating just‑in‑time (JIT) deliveries with site teams
- Ensuring all suppliers meet Constructionline, CHAS, and internal compliance standards
- Promoting sustainable sourcing, including low‑carbon materials and recycled aggregates
- Developing and mentoring junior members of the procurement team
- Building strong, long‑term relationships across the supply chain
What You’ll Need
Experience & Knowledge
- Significant procurement experience within the construction or civil engineering sector
- Proven experience as a Lead Buyer in a Tier 1 or Tier 2 environment
- Water industry experience is essential
- Strong understanding of procurement within framework‑led projects
- Project 13 eco‑system or collaborative delivery experience (desirable)
Skills
- Excellent negotiation, communication, and stakeholder management skills
- Strong commercial awareness and analytical capability
- Confident managing multiple priorities in a high‑pressure environment
- Proficient with procurement systems and the Microsoft Office suite
Qualifications
- Degree in Construction, Engineering, or a related discipline or demonstrable equivalent professional experience
Mindset
- Professional, trustworthy, and impact‑driven
- Values‑led, with a strong focus on integrity, continuous improvement, and collaboration
- Comfortable challenging, influencing, and leading by example
What You’ll Get In Return
- Family‑Friendly Leave Enhanced Maternity, Adoption, Paternity & Shared Parental Leave, Fertility Support, and up to 5 paid Carer’s Days.
- Financial & Life Assurance – Life Assurance cover (role dependent) and a Company Pension Scheme with salary sacrifice options.
- Health & Wellbeing – Employee Assistance Programme (8 counselling sessions) and 24/7 Virtual GP access for you and your dependents.
- Lifestyle & Perks – Cycle to Work Scheme and My Premier Benefits discounts, cashback, and vouchers.
- Professional Development – Hands‑on training and ongoing career development opportunities.
- Inclusion & Belonging – Active People Networks – Disability & Neurodiversity, Unity+, Women’s Network, Parent & Carer Networking Group and more.
- Performance & Recognition – Annual salary review, Reward & Recognition Scheme, and Long Service Awards.
- Flexibility & Opportunities – Overtime available and flexible shifts / hybrid working (role dependent).
Lead Buyer in Tipton employer: OnSite Central Limited
Contact Detail:
OnSite Central Limited Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Lead Buyer in Tipton
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to industry contacts on LinkedIn or at events. A friendly chat can lead to opportunities that aren’t even advertised yet.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its projects. Show us you’re genuinely interested in their work and how you can contribute to their success.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your negotiation skills! As a Lead Buyer, you’ll need to demonstrate your ability to secure the best deals. Role-play with a friend to build confidence.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed and shows us you’re serious about joining our team.
We think you need these skills to ace Lead Buyer in Tipton
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Lead Buyer role. Highlight your procurement experience in civil engineering and any relevant projects you've worked on. We want to see how your skills align with 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 passionate about the water industry and how your experience makes you the perfect fit for our team. Keep it engaging and personal – we love to see your personality!
Showcase Your Achievements: Don’t just list your responsibilities; showcase your achievements! Quantify your successes in previous roles, like cost savings or successful negotiations. This helps us see the impact you've made in your past positions.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates from us!
How to prepare for a job interview at OnSite Central Limited
✨Know Your Procurement Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your procurement knowledge, especially in the civil engineering and water sectors. Be ready to discuss your experience with managing commercial risks and negotiating deals, as these are key aspects of the Lead Buyer role.
✨Showcase Your Negotiation Skills
Prepare examples of successful negotiations you've led in the past. Highlight how you’ve managed price volatility and secured strategic deals. This will demonstrate your capability to protect margins and strengthen the supply chain.
✨Understand the Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with the frameworks relevant to the role, such as those from United Utilities and Severn Trent. Being able to discuss how you’ve driven compliance in previous roles will show that you’re well-prepared for this position.
✨Emphasise Team Collaboration
Since this role involves working closely with various teams, be ready to talk about your experience in building strong relationships across the supply chain. Share examples of how you’ve mentored junior team members or collaborated on projects to achieve common goals.