Senior Buyer in Southend-on-Sea
Talent Identified Southend-on-Sea About the role
An established and growing specialist construction contractor is looking to recruit an experienced Buyer or Senior Buyer to join its commercial team. This is an excellent opportunity to join a well-respected business delivering high-quality construction projects across the UK. The company is open to candidates at both Buyer and Senior Buyer level and is willing to wait for the right individual. Temporary-to-permanent arrangements will also be considered for suitable candidates.
The Role
As Buyer, you will play a key role in the procurement of materials and subcontract packages, ensuring projects are supplied efficiently, cost-effectively and on programme. Working closely with the commercial, pre-construction and surveying teams, you will support the delivery of multiple live projects.
Key Responsibilities
- Procure materials in line with project programmes and commercial requirements.
- Raise and manage purchase orders with approved suppliers.
- Monitor procurement budgets against tender allowances.
- Negotiate with suppliers to achieve the best value and support company rebate agreements.
- Manage procurement documentation, including material schedules, delivery programmes and live hire reports.
- Support the pre-construction team with supplier enquiries and quotations.
- Assist Quantity Surveyors with pricing variations and procurement support.
- Resolve supplier invoice queries and discrepancies.
- Carry out stock checks and maximise the use of existing materials where possible.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with suppliers and internal project teams.
- Attend site visits when required.
About You
To be successful in this role, you will have:
- A minimum of 5 years' experience within a purchasing or procurement role in the construction industry.
- Experience buying construction materials and subcontract packages.
- Knowledge of external building envelope products such as roofing, cladding, windows and doors would be highly advantageous.
- The ability to read and interpret construction drawings.
- Experience carrying out material take-offs.
- Strong negotiation and supplier management skills.
- Excellent organisational and communication skills.
- A proactive and commercially aware approach.
- Full UK driving licence.
Desirable
- CIPS qualification (or working towards it).
- Experience working within specialist subcontracting or façade/building envelope sectors.
What's on Offer
- Salary of £35,000 - £55,000, depending on experience.
- Permanent opportunity with a stable and growing contractor.
- Temp-to-perm option available.
- Monday to Thursday: 8:00am - 5:30pm
- Friday: 8:00am - 1:00pm
- 20 days annual leave, plus Christmas shutdown and Bank Holidays.
- Supportive team environment with genuine long-term career prospects.
If you're an experienced Construction Buyer looking for your next opportunity with a successful and expanding contractor, we'd love to hear from you. Apply today for a confidential discussion.
Your tasks
Procure materials and manage supplier relationships for exciting construction projects.
Your profile
5+ years in construction purchasing, strong negotiation skills, and a proactive approach.
What's also included
Competitive salary, stable employment, flexible temp-to-perm options, and generous leave.
Tech stack & ways of working
Senior Buyer in Southend-on-Sea employer: Talent Identified
Join a dynamic and supportive team in Brentwood, Essex, where as a Technical Team Leader, you will not only lead a high-performing technical design office but also enjoy a competitive salary, company car or allowance, and a range of benefits. Our collaborative work culture fosters continuous professional development and career progression, ensuring that you can grow alongside the business while delivering innovative engineering solutions in a thriving sector.
View Talent Identified profile
Your perspectives
Join a supportive team and contribute to high-quality construction across the UK.
StudySmarter Expert Advice
Get Savvy with Industry Perks
Join procurement and purchasing forums or groups where pros hang out, like CIPS (Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply). They'll share the inside scoop on job openings that might not show up on traditional job boards!
Show Off Your Skills
Consider creating a portfolio that outlines your achievements in procurement, like cost-saving initiatives or supplier management strategies. Having tangible evidence of your skills can really set you apart when applying to companies like Talent Identified.
Tap into Your Network
Leverage LinkedIn to connect with professionals in procurement—follow relevant hashtags, join groups, and engage in discussions. This is a great way to get noticed by potential employers before they even post a job!
Keep Your Eyes on Job Boards
With full-time positions, timing can be everything. Set alerts on job boards specifically for procurement roles. Don't wait for a job posting to close; apply through our website as soon as you see a fit—being proactive can give you the edge!
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Procurement Know-How
When you're crafting your CV, make sure to highlight any procurement-specific skills you've got. Talk about your experience with supplier negotiations, cost analysis, or inventory management. If you’ve used software like SAP or Oracle, don’t forget to mention that too – it shows you know your way around the tech side of things!
Quantify Your Achievements
In procurement, numbers matter. Use your CV and cover letter to showcase any quantifiable achievements you've made in reducing costs or improving efficiencies. For example, mentioning that you helped save 20% on purchasing costs last year is way more impressive than just saying you managed the budget!
Tailor Your Cover Letter to Talent Identified
Your cover letter should read like you’re chatting directly to Talent Identified. Research the company’s procurement strategy, mention how your skills align with their goals, and share your enthusiasm for contributing to their success. This personal touch can really set you apart from the crowd!
Professional Certs Can Go a Long Way
If you've got any procurement-related certifications, such as CIPS or APICS, make sure they're front and centre on your CV. These qualifications show you're serious about your career in procurement and are committed to continuous learning. It’s a great way to signal your expertise and dedication to potential employers like Talent Identified.
How to prepare for a job interview at Talent Identified
Show Off Your Negotiation Skills
In procurement, strong negotiation skills are key. Be ready to share examples of past negotiations where you've successfully saved costs or improved supplier terms. We want to hear how you approached those situations and the strategies you used to achieve positive outcomes!
Know Your Tools
Make sure you’re familiar with procurement software and tools commonly used in the industry, such as SAP Ariba or Coupa. Come prepared to discuss any experiences you've had with these tools or similar platforms, as we need someone who can hit the ground running at Talent Identified!
Understand Market Trends
As a procurement professional, being aware of market trends can set you apart. Brush up on recent developments in supply chain management or procurement best practices and think about how they could impact your role at Talent Identified. Bringing a current perspective will show your enthusiasm for the industry.
Demonstrate Your Team Player Attitude
A full-time position means you'll be working closely with various teams. Be prepared to discuss how you collaborate with others, manage conflicts, and build relationships with stakeholders. Sharing anecdotes about past teamwork experiences will highlight your ability to fit into Talent Identified's culture.
Locations
- Southend-on-Sea
