Buyer Construction

Location: Hemel Hempstead Office-Based Role

Salary: £34,000 - £37,500 per annum (depending on experience)

About the Role

We are looking for an experienced, proactive and organised Buyer to join our team at PiLON/ United Infrastructure. The successful candidate will play a key role in supporting the delivery of our projects by ensuring that materials, plant and equipment and any other ancillary supplies are procured efficiently, cost-effectively and in line with project specification requirements.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Sourcing stock, negotiating and procuring materials in line with project technical specification, regulatory compliance, budgets and strict timelines.
• Raise and manage purchase orders for multiple projects with a high degree of accuracy to meet strict deadlines in line with company policies and procedures.
• Liaise with site teams, project managers and commercial teams to understand material requirements and target delivery schedules.
• Identify and engage with company-approved framework suppliers to support competitive pricing and reliable supply chains.
• Develop and execute procurement strategies aligned with company objectives.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with all suppliers to ensure consistent service levels are maintained in line with agreed Service Level Agreements.
• Negotiate pricing, delivery schedules and terms with suppliers on high-level contracts to achieve cost efficiencies.
• Monitor and track material orders to ensure deliveries are made on time and resolve any supply issues promptly.
• Ensure compliance with all company safety, health, sustainability and environmental requirements for all company supply chain partners.
• Support the commercial team by identifying opportunities for cost savings and procurement efficiencies.
• Prepare and maintain cost reports on procurement activities and identify cost savings.
• Take full ownership and resolution of all Invoice queries arising to stringently maintained timescales to ensure prompt payment of the supply chain network.

Do you have what it takes?

• A minimum 2/3 years of procurement experience within the construction industry.
• Excellent knowledge of construction materials and supply chains, ideally within social housing refurbishment or maintenance.
• Experience in managing and maintaining collaborative relationships with multiple suppliers.
• Strong negotiation and communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Good organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple orders and priorities with effective time management.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel and Outlook and an enthusiastic adopter/user of internal IT systems.
• Ability to work collaboratively with internal teams and external suppliers.
• A proactive analytical approach with strong problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work under pressure and cope with a varied portfolio of work, progressing with reduced supervision.

Qualifications

• 5 GCSEs (or equivalent) as a minimum.
• A construction-related qualification or procurement qualification (CIPD accredited) would be advantageous but is not essential.
• Desirable but not essential: Full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle (desirable depending on role location).

Why work with us? Here are some of the brilliant benefits you could get:

• 23 days of holiday per year, excluding Bank Holidays (+ get more days with length of service).
• Up to £2,000 reward for successful recommendations as part of our referral scheme.
• Significant savings on daily shopping through our benefits portal.
• A welcoming office, snacks, beverages, friendly colleagues and team socials throughout the year.
• A supportive culture and a great team with exceptional talent and experience.
• Trained Mental Health First Aiders support.
• Annual training budget so you can focus on your personal and professional development and much more.

About us:

With over 20 years of success behind us, PiLON began an exciting new chapter in 2024 as part of the United Infrastructure Group. This growth means more opportunity, broader expertise, and long-term stability for our teams - and a stronger platform for people to build lasting careers. We specialise in planned maintenance and refurbishment within the social housing sector and are known for delivering high-quality work with care, consistency, and respect for the communities we serve.

At PiLON, we don't just hire for skills - we hire for attitude, potential, and values. We actively welcome people from a wide range of backgrounds, knowing that diverse teams perform better and create better outcomes. Our commitment to inclusion is reflected in our membership of the Black Professionals in Construction Network, supporting positive change across the built environment.

If you're reliable, motivated, and looking for a role where your work genuinely matters, PiLON offers a supportive environment, opportunities to develop, and the chance to be proud of what you do every day.