Job Description
Job Title: Buyer – Materials and Services (Environmental Construction / River Restoration)
Job Summary
The Buyer is responsible for procuring materials, equipment, and subcontracted services that support environmental construction and civil engineering projects such as river restoration, habitat creation, wetland enhancement, erosion control and earthworks for Solar Farm installation. The role ensures that all purchases meet ecological design specifications, sustainability standards, and project delivery requirements, while achieving value for money and compliance with environmental and safety regulations.
Key Responsibilities
Procurement & Purchasing
* Source, evaluate, and purchase specialist materials and services required for environmental construction projects — including aggregates, timber, geotextiles, small tools, plant hire, labour, accommodation and PPE
* Negotiate competitive pricing, lead times, and delivery terms to optimise cost, quality, and sustainability.
* Create and maintain preferred supplier list.
* Coordinate with project teams to forecast procurement needs and ensure timely delivery to remote or environmentally sensitive sites.
Sustainable & Ethical Procurement
* Identify and select suppliers aligned with the company’s environmental and sustainability objectives (e.g., low-carbon materials, locally sourced aggregates, FSC-certified timber, recycled or biodegradable products).
* Verify supplier compliance with environmental, health & safety, and quality standards (ISO 14001, ISO 9001, etc.).
* Maintain records to demonstrate sustainable procurement practices for client reporting and audits.
Supplier & Subcontractor Management
* Develop and maintain relationships with specialist suppliers and subcontractors in the environmental and ecological construction sector.
* Evaluate supplier performance on reliability, quality, environmental responsibility, and cost-effectiveness.
* Resolve logistical, quality, or delivery issues to maintain smooth project execution.
Compliance & Documentation
* Ensure all purchasing activities comply with company policies, project specifications, and environmental regulations.
* Maintain procurement records, supplier documentation, and audit trails for compliance and client reporting.
* Support continuous improvement of procurement procedures and sustainability reporting.
Qualifications & Experience
Education:
* Degree qualified
Experience:
* 3–5 years’ experience in construction procurement, ideally within environmental contracting, river restoration, ecological construction, or infrastructure.
Skills:
* Strong negotiation and supplier relationship management.
* Knowledge of environmentally sustainable materials and products.
* Competent in MS Office Suite (Excel, Word, Outlook).
* Knowledge of Business Central ERP system (desirable)
* Understanding of construction and environmental regulations.
Key Competencies
* Strong commercial awareness and attention to detail.
* Effective communication and teamwork across technical and site teams.
* Analytical thinking and problem-solving.
* Organisational skills and ability to manage multiple concurrent projects.
* Commitment to environmental sustainability and ethical sourcing.