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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead strategic sourcing and negotiate contracts for essential materials in various sectors.
- Company: Dynamic company focused on water, transport, energy, and built environment projects.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, pension, private medical insurance, and generous leave.
- Other info: Opportunities for career progression and continuous professional development.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by optimising procurement processes and driving sustainability.
- Qualifications: Experience in construction procurement and strong negotiation skills required.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.
About the Role
As a Senior Buyer you will be responsible for the strategic and operational sourcing, negotiating, and ordering of materials and services essential to the delivery of our projects in the Water, Transport, Energy and the Built Environment sectors. You will collaborate with procurement team members and project stakeholders to provide best‑in‑class service for our sites and offices.
Key Responsibilities
- Represent procurement during Tender/Pre‑Start meetings, Collaborative Project Delivery (CPD) and internal stakeholder meetings.
- Maintain continuous communication with team members to review allocated contract/activity progress and address associated issues immediately.
- Collaborate with project teams to understand procurement needs and provide timely support, ordering necessary construction materials or related services across all operational sectors.
- Ensure procurement activities align with project schedules and budget constraints, optimising cost‑efficiency without compromising on safety or quality.
- Align procurement activities with necessary frameworks.
- Develop strong relationships with key suppliers and category leads for both frameworks and the wider supply chain; monitor supplier performance and compliance, and implement corrective action where required.
- Negotiate contracts, terms and pricing with suppliers to secure cost‑efficient solutions while maintaining quality and service.
- Support the sustainability and social impact agenda by proactively engaging the supply chain for innovations and new sustainable products or technologies.
- Stay proactive regarding market trends, product and industry developments to anticipate changes in the supply chain and adjust approach accordingly.
- Provide guidance and support on procurement best practices, fostering a culture of continuous improvement within the procurement department.
- Maintain a full understanding of the purchasing strategy and processes to ensure a professional and auditable procurement contract is in place.
- Support any other procurement‑related activities as required by the business.
- Have experience in the procurement of Pipework, Valves, Aggregate, Precast & Readymix Concrete, Muckaway, Waste Management and Soil Testing.
Reporting duties and record keeping
- Promote the provision of monthly spend reports, create board and procurement reports to support informed decision‑making, and take necessary actions as identified.
- Assist in delivering department KPIs, collaboratively analysing data to identify areas for improvement and acting accordingly.
- Submit detailed cost analysis to senior management and site teams for approval under company governance.
- Provide reports and data identified by the Procurement Manager relating to department and business requirements.
- Manage and keep up to date project procurement schedules, controlling and monitoring costs against project and framework budgets.
- Maintain and upkeep order and supply‑chain records using the company’s purchase order system and procedures.
About you
Essential qualifications
- Purchasing experience within the construction/civil engineering industry, including knowledge of relevant industry regulations and standards.
- Experience in the water sector and a keen understanding of associated goods and services.
- Skilled negotiator with proven experience establishing long‑term relationships and an engaged, collaborative supply chain; able to demonstrate cost savings and value enhancement.
- Demonstrable commercial awareness, with the ability to control and monitor budgets.
- Excellent communication and people skills, able to collaborate effectively with internal and external stakeholders.
- Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills, with attention to detail and a proactive approach.
- A full UK driving licence.
- IT literacy, proficient in the use of Microsoft Office.
Desirable qualifications
- CIPS or equivalent or working towards CIPS.
- Proficiency in presentation software, with the ability to present to senior internal stakeholders.
- Industry‑related qualifications, for example: Professional qualification, e.g. Institute of Supply Chain Management (IoSCM), Institute of Procurement & Supply (IPS).
- ONC/HNC/HND/degree in an associated discipline (e.g. engineering or business).
Benefits
- Competitive salary.
- Company pension.
- Life assurance.
- Private medical insurance.
- 25 days of annual leave in addition to 8 public bank holidays and loyalty days.
- 8 hours of volunteering.
- Employee Assistance Programme to support mental, physiological and financial well‑being.
- Flexible benefits via salary sacrifice.
- Company car / green car scheme / car allowance / van (dependent on position).
- Leadership & management training and coaching.
- Regular line‑management engagement and appraisal to support career progression.
- Development supported by internal and externally delivered training.
- Continuous service awards.
Senior Buyer – Walsall, West Midlands, WS1 4NN in Bristol employer: Recruit4Mum
Contact Detail:
Recruit4Mum Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Buyer – Walsall, West Midlands, WS1 4NN in Bristol
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the industry. Attend events, join online forums, or even hit up LinkedIn to find folks who can give you the inside scoop on job openings.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your pitch! You never know when you'll bump into someone who could help you land that Senior Buyer role. Have a quick summary of your experience and skills ready to go, so you can impress them on the spot.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t just apply and wait! Follow up on your applications. A quick email or call can show your enthusiasm and keep you on their radar. Plus, it gives you a chance to ask any questions about the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Check out our website for the latest job openings! We’re always looking for talented individuals like you. Applying directly through us can sometimes give you an edge, as we love seeing proactive candidates.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Buyer – Walsall, West Midlands, WS1 4NN in Bristol
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Senior Buyer role. Highlight your experience in procurement, especially in the construction and water sectors, and showcase any relevant achievements that demonstrate your negotiation skills and cost-saving successes.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter should tell us why you're the perfect fit for this role. Use it to explain how your background aligns with our needs, particularly your experience with strategic sourcing and supplier relationship management.
Showcase Your Skills: Don’t forget to highlight your analytical and problem-solving skills in your application. We want to see how you’ve used these skills in past roles to drive improvements and manage budgets effectively.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. This way, we can easily track your application and ensure it gets the attention it deserves!
How to prepare for a job interview at Recruit4Mum
✨Know Your Procurement Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of procurement processes, especially in the construction and civil engineering sectors. Familiarise yourself with key materials like pipework, valves, and concrete, as well as industry regulations. This will show that you're not just a buyer, but a knowledgeable partner in the procurement process.
✨Show Off Your Negotiation Skills
Prepare examples of successful negotiations you've led in the past. Be ready to discuss how you established long-term relationships with suppliers and achieved cost savings. This is crucial for a Senior Buyer role, so highlight your ability to secure the best deals while maintaining quality.
✨Communicate Like a Pro
Since you'll be collaborating with various stakeholders, practice articulating your thoughts clearly and confidently. Think about how you can convey complex procurement strategies in simple terms. Good communication skills are essential, so be prepared to demonstrate this during your interview.
✨Stay Ahead of Market Trends
Research current trends in the water, transport, and energy sectors. Be ready to discuss how these trends might impact procurement strategies and supplier relationships. Showing that you're proactive and informed will set you apart from other candidates.