At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage procurement, cost control, and supplier relationships for construction materials.
- Company: Join Vistry Southern, a top UK housebuilder with a commitment to sustainability.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, bonus, company car, and up to 39 days annual leave.
- Other info: Flexible working options and a supportive team culture await you.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the construction industry while developing your career.
- Qualifications: Experience in buying for construction, strong maths skills, and team collaboration.
The predicted salary is between 47250 - 57750 £ per year.
Senior Buyer - Basingstoke
Job Type: Full time
In a Nutshell
We have an exciting opportunity for a Senior Buyer to join our team within Vistry Southern, at our Basingstoke office. As our Senior Buyer, you will provide a full range of cost control, forecasting and financial reporting duties on all aspects of materials supply and plant for construction work within your region. Working closely with the wider Commercial team, you will be responsible for the performance of the sites within your control.
We value in-person collaboration and team culture, but were also committed to supporting flexible working where possible. We encourage you to raise any specific requirements during the interview process so we can explore how this could be accommodated.
Lets cut to the chase, whats in it for you
- Competitive basic salary and annual bonus
- Company car, car allowance or travel allowance
- Salary sacrifice car scheme available to all employees
- Up to 39 days annual leave plus bank holidays
- 2 Volunteering days per annum
- Private medical insurance, with employee paid cover
- Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption leave
- Competitive pension scheme through salary sacrifice
- Life assurance at 4 x your annual salary
- Share save and share incentive schemes
- Christmas company shutdown
- Employee rewards portal with many more benefits
In return, what we would like from you
- Behave in line with our company values Integrity, Caring and Quality
- 5 or more GCSE passes at grades A C, including English and Mathematics
- Proven length of experience working for a contractor or residential house developer in a buying role.
- A good understanding of building regulations and legal obligations
- A good knowledge of construction methods and materials
- Strong mathematical and IT ability. Good working knowledge of Microsoft Office packages.
- Ability to assess and analyse information
- Good commercial sense
- Good understanding of budget management
- Negotiating and networking skills
- Excellent communications skills
- Able to work under pressure, and accept criticism of work
- Good team working skills
- Accurate with an eye for detail
- Willingness to go above and beyond to meet deadlines as and when the business requires it.
Desirable
- Degree in Construction or similar, or,
- HNC / ONC in Construction or similar
- Member of the Chartered Institute of Building, or working towards full membership
- Working towards being a chartered member of the Institute of Purchasing & Supply (CIPS)
- Experience of COINS
More about the Senior Buyer role
- Manage, coach and develop the Assistant Buyer to create a high-performing and efficient team, working closely with key stakeholders within the business
- Lead the pre-start meetings, including the presentation of relevant Health & Safety documentation
- Support the wider Commercial and Buying team with new products and innovation by investigating new solutions and innovations within the industry
- Deputise for the Buying / Procurement Manager where necessary and assist with the production of sales specifications for each project
- Agree the price specification with manufacturers of key suppliers, preparing the CPC1 (Material Costs) including providing material schedules from working drawings
- Input material schedules onto the relevant system and produce material budgets for the Surveying team
- Place material orders and procure additional materials not covered by schedules and place supplementary orders, analysing any variations
- Place plant orders by liaising with the Construction Director for compound layout and site set-up
- Produce cost reports and provide analysis of material costs for completion, actioning material and plant invoices
- Ensure all materials are delivered to sites in line with current build programmes, specification and are purchased at competitive prices inline with the companies group & regional deals where applicable.
- Ensure the procurement of all sites/buying phases are continually monitored against budget.
- Maintain an up to date library of standard house type material schedules.
- Produce accurate site specific material schedules and process material orders.
- Monitor material order values against budget values and address large variations with the Regional Regional Buying Manager.
- Ensure the tender process is adhered to for all new sites/phases in line with the regions tendering/procurement policy.
- Negotiate regional bulk price agreements and ensure competitive quotations are obtained for materials not covered by bulk agreements.
- Continually monitor price agreements to ensure they always remain competitive.
- Continually monitor supplier performance and hold regular meetings with main suppliers.
- Place orders for key showhome materials before pre-start meetings if required to meet showhouse programme dates.
- Process site purchase orders for replacement materials and produce monthly reports detailing expenditure.
- Continually research new products.
- Ensure the invoice checking procedure is being carried out and where necessary negotiate credits.
- Monitor the goods received sheets and liaise with build and site managers to ensure correct completion procedures are maintained.
- Complete stock valuation exercised as required during the year.
- Continually monitor material lead times, keeping build and site managers informed, instigate forward material allocation when necessary.
- Manage site call-offs and carry out regular stock takes to ensure site stocks remain cost effective.
- Maintain general specification for the regions housing range and ensure compliance with divisional general specification.
- Manage all amendments to specification as and when required.
- Monitor plant levels and ensure it is off lined when no longer needed.
- Ensure some labour and all material sub-contractors are procured within the agreed programme and to within budgetary levels.
- Ensure the efficient running of the computerised sub-contract purchasing system.
- Maintain a library of standard house type sub-contract schedules.
- Manage estimating functions for production of accurate estimated costs for housing, roads and sewers.
- Produce site specific material schedules.
- Ensure the material database is kept up to date.
- Ensure material tender lists are prepared in conjunction with the build department, and to the approval of the Regional Buying Manager / Commercial Manager/
- Ensure tenders are checked and comply with site specification and current trade specifications, and the tender drawings for the site include the Bovis Homes standard details.
- Produce reports comparing tender prices obtained, and an analysis of how they compare to the viability.
- Report to the Regional Buying Manager / Commercial Manager on the tender enquiry status and seek authorisation to place sub-contract orders.
- Ensure all material orders are processed correctly and efficiently.
- Ensure copies of approved material tenders lists, authorised tender enquiry summaries and cost valuation reports are kept on record.
- Continually monitor sub-contractor performance by liaising with build and surveying personnel.
- Ensure company procedures are followed with regard to the termination of any material suppliers and seek to replace with an alternative material supplier within budgetary levels.
Finally, lets tell you a bit more about us
We build more than homes, were making Vistry. Being a responsible developer and award-winning employer means we live each day through our ethos - doing the right thing. Our behaviours reflect this, as well as our values of integrity, caring and quality. Shaping all we do; they empower us to develop sustainable communities across affordable and private housing. We work in a partnership-led way, and youll recognise our renowned brands Bovis Homes, Linden Homes and Countryside Homes. Together with Vistry Works, our manufacturing operation, and the functional support of Vistry Services, were a proud UK Green Building Council member, UK top five housebuilder with a five-star House Builders Federation (HBF) customer satisfaction rating, and winner of many awards including Top Employer, Global Top Inspiring Workplaces, and Best for Talent Attraction and Outreach.
Join us in making Vistry.
#LI-TP1
Senior Buyer - Basingstoke in Sherborne St John employer: Vistry
Vistry is an exceptional employer that fosters a collaborative and supportive work culture in Cheltenham, where employees are encouraged to grow and develop their skills. As a Finance Manager, you will benefit from comprehensive training opportunities and a commitment to work-life balance, making it a rewarding place to build your career while contributing to meaningful financial strategies.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Buyer - Basingstoke in Sherborne St John
✨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 Vistry.
✨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!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Buyer - Basingstoke in Sherborne St John
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 Vistry:Your cover letter should read like you’re chatting directly to Vistry. 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 Vistry.
How to prepare for a job interview at Vistry
✨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 Vistry!
✨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 Vistry. 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 Vistry's culture.
