About Barhale
Barhale is a business founded on family values, having been established by our Chairman, Dennis Curran, in 1980. We are one of the largest privately owned civil engineering and infrastructure specialists in the UK, with over 40 years of experience in providing design, civil engineering and maintenance services working across multiple sectors, including:
* Water
* Transport
* Built environment
* Energy
We operate as a tier one partner for blue chip, regulated and private clients, working as part of large frameworks, joint ventures and alliances, as well as on individual standalone projects, developing long‑term relationships based on delivering to the Barhale values which have been integral to our business since their inception in 1985.
Our direct delivery model is at the core of everything we do, as we believe that people are our greatest asset. Therefore, we robustly source, train and retain all our own frontline delivery teams as well as management and support services. We employ over 1,200 employees nationwide.
We possess a range of specialist skills to support our civil engineering and infrastructure activities, including:
* Tunnelling
* MEICA
* Temporary and permanent design
* Steel‑fabrication
* Signs (design and fabrication)
* Health & safety equipment and products, including PPE
Company Website:
https://www.barhale.co.uk/
Company Showcase Video:
https://youtu.be/uf_RG5xgM8M
Why join Barhale?
* As Gold Investors in People, we are committed to a high standard of people practices, creating an inclusive environment and ensuring cultural alignment to business strategy, ethos and philosophies.
* Job security, long‑term secured work through various frameworks and large infrastructure schemes
* A broad range of civil engineering, mechanical and electrical schemes across some of the UK's largest infrastructure projects and clients
* Strong career progression as demonstrated by our track record in promoting from within, as we believe this is a key driver of our success
Senior Hire Controller
The Role
The Senior Hire Controller is responsible for the end‑to‑end coordination of external plant and equipment requisitions, ensuring safe, compliant, and cost‑effective solutions that support project delivery across the business. The role acts as the operational anchor for plant procurement activity, combining practical understanding of plant and equipment with strong commercial awareness, quality focus, and the confidence to support improvement initiatives and working groups when required. The Senior Hire Controller supports the wider plant, procurement, supply chain, HSEQ and sustainability agendas by providing accurate information, operational insight and proactive engagement.
Key Responsibilities
* Manage the full life cycle of external plant and equipment requisitions, ensuring safe, compliant and cost‑effective solutions in line with company policy across all operational sectors.
* Take ownership of allocated requisitions from start to finish, including supplier selection from approved lists, evaluation of quotations, negotiation of prices and logistics, and raising purchase orders.
* Provide timely commercial feedback to internal stakeholders, including estimating, project teams and site personnel, to support informed decision‑making.
* Ensure all high‑risk plant stipulations are adhered to, and that plant orders and associated documentation are filed accurately and in accordance with governance requirements.
* Liaise daily with suppliers to ensure all deliveries are made on time and in full, resolving issues promptly to protect project delivery.
* Communicate with project teams to confirm plant and equipment requirements in line with procurement schedules and contract programmes.
* Manage the External Hire inbox, allocate requisitions appropriately, and maintain regular communication with team members to address any issues that may impact plant delivery.
* Support internal business needs by providing commercial and product awareness throughout the construction process, ensuring alignment with major programme requirements.
* Consider environmental performance, fuel efficiency, and low‑emission alternatives when selecting plant, supporting the company's sustainability objectives.
* Support improvement initiatives and working groups as required, providing operational feedback and insight where plant‑related input is beneficial.
* Proactively identify market trends, product developments and supply chain innovations through engagement with external partners, supporting the Procurement Manager on specific commodities or categories as directed.
* Support the Procurement Manager in training and developing other members of the Procurement and Plant teams.
* Provide operational insight that supports procurement, supply chain, HSEQ and sustainability teams in category development, supplier performance reviews and continuous improvement.
Administrative Responsibilities
* Maintain accurate order and supply chain records using the company's purchase order system and associated procedures.
* Provide reports, data and other information required by the Procurement Manager to support departmental and wider business needs, including KPI reporting.
* Submit detailed Tender Analysis Reports to procurement and project teams for approval in line with governance requirements.
* Provide evidence of best value through commercial betterment, quality improvements and efficiency gains.
* Demonstrate effective supply chain engagement, including performance management activities aligned with company objectives.
* Maintain accurate documentation to support sustainability reporting, compliance audits and supplier performance reviews.
About you
Essential
* Experienced in supervising a team and liaising with the Operational Procurement Mgr.
* Background within Plant management, ideally in the civil engineering or construction sectors, with an understanding of CPA plant contracts.
Desirable
* Procurement experience in procuring plant against client frameworks and preferred supply base, principally in the Water Utilities sector.
Caring and investing in you
Our values have been embedded at Barhale for over 40 years, and they are our guiding principles regarding how we care and invest in people. Our values are our commitment to being a people‑centric company.
As a Gold Investors in People company and a Sunday Times 100 Best Company to Work For, we are committed to investing in people. We are passionate about creating a working environment where people are supported throughout their careers, where people can enjoy security and be part of a company that cares about them.
From the moment you join us, your well‑being and career aspirations will be supported by.
* Competitive salary
* Company Pension
* Life Assurance
* Private Medical
* 25 days of annual leave in addition to 8 public bank holidays and loyalty days
* 8 hours volunteering
* Employee Assistance Programme to support your mental, physiological and financial wellbeing
* 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 your career progression
* Development supported by internal and externally delivered training
* Continuous service awards
Would you like to know more?
Please contact our Recruitment team via careers@barhale.co.uk
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