At a Glance
- Tasks: Support procurement tasks and collaborate with various teams to enhance supply chain efficiency.
- Company: Join Groundforce, a leading provider in excavation support systems with 60 years of industry experience.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, company car, 25 days holiday, and numerous discounts and perks.
- Other info: Opportunities for travel and structured training available to enhance your career.
- Why this job: Gain hands-on experience in a dynamic environment while contributing to innovative commercial initiatives.
- Qualifications: Strong work ethic, excellent negotiation skills, and proficiency in data analysis required.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Working under the guidance of the Asset Manager, the Commercial Buyer will support the day-to-day activities and longer-term goals of the commercial buying function. This is a varied and hands-on role that will involve working with different teams across the Groundforce business, including Technical, Operational, Sales and Finance. The role will involve assisting with procurement tasks—both planned and ad-hoc—as well as helping to implement commercial initiatives and support supplier coordination. A key focus will be supporting the smooth running of the supply chain and helping to ensure cost-effective purchasing, while developing a strong understanding of data-led planning, particularly in relation to capital spend.
Responsibilities
- Monitor asset performance closely to procure assets in a timely manner, ensuring alignment with business objectives.
- Assist in the identification, analysis and justification of capital expenditure for new assets by interpreting data and preparation of formal business cases to management for approval.
- Manage routine and strategic procurement requests by analysing performance data and preparing evidence in support of capex applications.
- Collaborate with the technical, operational and sales teams to help identify new products and opportunities, support their development—particularly research and commercial aspects—and manage integration into the fleet.
- Implement new product introductions and modifications within the procurement process and across the supply chain.
- Undertake assigned project work as presented, ensuring timely reporting and implementation.
- Maintain strong relationships with existing suppliers whilst maintaining a formalised approach to performance management and compliance in line with ISO standards and sustainability goals.
- Identify and evaluate new suppliers to expand and strengthen the supply chain.
- This is a great opportunity for someone with a strong commercial mindset and the ability to work effectively—often under pressure—while gaining exposure to various areas of the business.
- Strong work ethic with a proactive approach and a sense of ownership over responsibilities.
- Excellent negotiation and influencing skills.
- High proficiency in numeracy and data analysis, particularly using Microsoft Excel.
- Confident operating across multiple teams and functions.
- Adaptable and responsive, with the ability to manage requests in a fast-paced environment.
- Strong problem-solving skills, with the ability to resolve cross-functional issues collaboratively.
- Willingness and ability to travel regularly across the depot network and to external supplier locations.
- Holder of a valid UK driving licence.
About Groundforce and the Company
Groundforce is the market-leading rental provider of excavation support systems and specialist products for the water, civil engineering, and construction industries. With a remarkable 60-year heritage, we offer comprehensive shoring and related services. Operating under the Groundforce banner, we provide a wide range of solutions, including shoring, piling, construction training, temporary bridging, and more. Our goal is to be the convenient one-stop shop for \"total solutions\" in the construction and civil engineering industry. We pride ourselves on our divisions, including Groundforce Shorco, Piletec, Mr Cropper, Stopper Specialists, Groundforce Bridge, and Groundforce Training Services. We continually invest in acquiring associated businesses to enhance our product portfolio and offer reliable and high-quality equipment for our customers. Excellence is our priority. We hold ISO 9001, 14001, and OHSAS 18001 certifications, demonstrating our commitment to quality, environmental stewardship, and safety. Join Groundforce, where we deliver exceptional support, innovative solutions, and outstanding customer service. Apply today and be part of our team that takes pride in our industry-leading position. Vp plc is an equal opportunities employer. We believe passionately that employing a diverse workforce is central to our success. We make recruiting decisions based on your experience and skills.
Benefits
- Competitive salary
- Company car
- Salary sacrifice pension
- 25 days holiday FTE, plus bank holidays
- Additional holiday purchase scheme
- Free Tool Hire
- Life Assurance cover 3x salary
- Share save scheme
- Eye care vouchers
- Recommend a friend scheme
- Learning & Development - commitment to upskilling and developing our people, structured in house training available alongside external training where required
- Cycle to work scheme
- Long service recognition
- My Vp discounts - a variety of discounts and rewards on thousands of well-known brands
- Discounts on HP products
- EE mobile contract discount offers
- Gym discounts
- Health Shield (discounted premiums on health care cash plan)
- Regit Assist 24/7 accident helpline - free joining
Commercial Buyer in Harrogate employer: Vp plc
At Groundforce, we are committed to fostering a dynamic and inclusive work environment where our employees can thrive. As a Commercial Buyer, you will benefit from competitive salaries, extensive training opportunities, and a range of perks including a company car and discounts on well-known brands. Our collaborative culture encourages personal growth and innovation, making it an ideal place for those looking to make a meaningful impact in the construction and civil engineering industry.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Commercial Buyer in Harrogate
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the procurement process and supply chain management. Understanding how these elements work together will help you demonstrate your knowledge during interviews and discussions with our team.
✨Tip Number 2
Brush up on your data analysis skills, especially in Microsoft Excel. Being able to interpret and present data effectively will be crucial in this role, so consider practicing with real-world examples or case studies.
✨Tip Number 3
Network with professionals in the commercial buying field. Attend industry events or join relevant online forums to connect with others who can provide insights and potentially refer you to opportunities within our company.
✨Tip Number 4
Showcase your negotiation and influencing skills in any interactions you have. Whether it's through informal conversations or during interviews, demonstrating your ability to communicate effectively will set you apart as a candidate.
We think you need these skills to ace Commercial Buyer in Harrogate
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience and skills that align with the Commercial Buyer role. Emphasise your proficiency in data analysis, procurement tasks, and any experience working across multiple teams.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Write a cover letter that showcases your strong commercial mindset and problem-solving abilities. Mention specific examples of how you've successfully managed procurement requests or collaborated with different teams in previous roles.
Highlight Relevant Skills:In your application, focus on key skills mentioned in the job description, such as negotiation, influencing skills, and proficiency in Microsoft Excel. Use concrete examples to demonstrate these skills in action.
Show Enthusiasm for the Company:Research Groundforce and express your enthusiasm for their mission and values in your application. Mention how you can contribute to their goals, particularly in relation to cost-effective purchasing and supplier coordination.
How to prepare for a job interview at Vp plc
✨Understand the Role
Make sure you have a clear understanding of the Commercial Buyer role and its responsibilities. Familiarise yourself with procurement processes, supply chain management, and how different teams within the company interact. This will help you demonstrate your knowledge during the interview.
✨Showcase Your Data Skills
Since the role requires high proficiency in data analysis, be prepared to discuss your experience with Microsoft Excel and any relevant data-led planning you've done. Bring examples of how you've used data to make informed purchasing decisions or improve procurement processes.
✨Demonstrate Negotiation Skills
Negotiation is key in this role, so think of specific instances where you've successfully negotiated terms or prices with suppliers. Be ready to explain your approach and the outcomes, as this will highlight your influencing skills and commercial mindset.
✨Prepare for Cross-Functional Collaboration
The job involves working closely with various teams, so be ready to discuss your experience in cross-functional collaboration. Think of examples where you've worked with technical, operational, or sales teams to achieve a common goal, and how you managed any challenges that arose.
