Senior Buyer – Construction | Business Support Division
Location: Oldham
£45k - £50k
Employment Type: Full-Time
Reports to: Business Support Director
Sector: Construction / Procurement / Commercial Support
Overview
An experienced Senior Buyer is required to lead the procurement of materials, plant, goods, and services across a growing construction business. This role plays a central part in commercial performance, programme delivery, and robust supply chain management.
Working closely with Commercial, Pre-Construction, Project, and Site teams, the Senior Buyer will ensure best value through strategic sourcing, cost assurance, risk management, and strong supplier relationships. The role is ideal for a commercially minded procurement professional looking to have a direct impact on profitability and project outcomes.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Sourcing
* Develop and deliver sourcing strategies for construction materials, plant, and services.
* Identify, evaluate, and negotiate with suppliers to achieve cost, quality, and service targets.
* Manage defined procurement categories in line with project programmes and budgets.
* Support value engineering initiatives to optimise material efficiency and reduce cost.
1. Supplier Management
* Build and maintain strong supplier relationships to drive performance and continuous improvement.
* Conduct regular supplier reviews covering cost, quality, delivery, and compliance.
* Ensure all agreements are supported by appropriate contractual terms.
* Complete supplier risk assessments and implement mitigation strategies.
* Act as first point of contact for supplier queries, substitutions, pricing changes, and delivery issues.
* Monitor supplier credit limits, payment terms, and financial stability.
* Report supplier non-conformance and commercial risk to the Commercial Team.
* Coordinate returns, credits, and resolution of defective or surplus goods.
2. Cost Management
* Align procurement activity with project budgets and cashflow forecasts.
* Analyse market trends and pricing data to identify savings and cost efficiencies.
* Maintain procurement schedules from tender through delivery stages.
* Secure supplier and distributor rebates, ensuring agreements are auditable and current.
* Monitor KPIs covering cost, cash, quality, service, and supply continuity.
* Prepare monthly materials and plant spend reports, highlighting variances and risks.
3. Contract Negotiation
* Lead negotiations to secure advantageous terms, discounts, and rebates.
* Ensure all contracts comply with legal requirements and internal governance.
* Support the development of standard procurement templates, terms, and policies.
4. Collaboration with Project Teams
* Work closely with Pre-Construction, Commercial, Project, and Site teams to meet programme and budget requirements.
* Provide procurement and cost advice across tender and construction phases.
* Drive compliance with procurement governance and commercial discipline.
* Support pricing exercises and early supply chain engagement.
* Attend project start-up meetings to ensure procurement readiness.
5. Risk Management
* Identify commercial and supply risks and develop mitigation plans.
* Track market conditions affecting pricing, availability, and programme.
* Report risks to senior stakeholders and propose solutions.
6. Data Analysis & Reporting
* Produce procurement reports covering category spend, supplier performance, rebates, and cost variance.
* Provide accurate procurement data for monthly cost reviews.
* Maintain data integrity and reporting accuracy within Evolution M.
7. Processes & Systems
* Ensure compliant order placement and approval workflows aligned with procurement policy.
* Maintain accurate price lists, supplier data, POs, and coding within Evolution M.
* Prepare and update preferred supplier frameworks and product ranges.
* Maintain procurement documentation including PQQs, agreements, rebate files, and approvals.
* Support continuous improvement of procurement systems and reporting tools.
* Provide guidance and basic training to staff on procurement processes.
* Conduct system checks and reconciliations to ensure reporting accuracy.
* Ensure documentation complies with GDPR and document control requirements.
8. Operational Procurement
* Plan and coordinate the procurement and delivery of materials and plant in line with programme and cashflow.
* Work with Site Managers and the Commercial Team on delivery priorities and lead times.
* Ensure accurate order placement and approval through Evolution M.
* Monitor spend and flag any potential overspend or variance.
* Manage GRN processes and resolve delivery/invoice issues promptly.
* Maintain procurement workbooks with committed costs and rebate opportunities.
* Provide accurate delivery schedules and manage long-lead items.
* Coordinate site clear-downs, ensuring surplus material returns where possible.
* Ensure authorisation of high-value orders and call-offs.
* Standardise procurement approaches to improve efficiency.
9. Labour Procurement
* Manage relationships with preferred temporary labour agencies.
* Ensure SLAs and labour rates are agreed prior to operatives attending site.
* Raise weekly labour orders based on timesheets and approved rates.
* Ensure subcontractors have valid insurances and completed PQQs.
* Monitor compliance with terms, rates, and documentation.
10. SHE Responsibilities
* Support procurement of SHEQ-related services.
* Align purchasing activity with SHEQ, sustainability, and ISO standards.
* Contribute to waste reduction and sustainable sourcing initiatives.
11. Experience, Knowledge & Skills
Essential
* Demonstrable experience in construction procurement.
* Track record managing procurement and commercial processes across multiple projects.
* Strong understanding of materials, supply chain performance, and contract terms.
* Experience supporting commercial reporting and cost analysis.
* Excellent negotiation, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
* Strong commercial acumen and analytical capability.
* High attention to detail and accuracy.
* Proficiency in Microsoft Office and procurement software (e.g., Evolution M).
12. Desirable
* Procurement or supply chain certification (e.g., CIPS).
* Experience with rebate management, contract negotiation, or commercial reporting.
* Knowledge of NEC/JCT contracts and their procurement implications.
* Experience supporting audits, governance, or continuous improvement activities.
* Understanding of sustainability, ethical sourcing, anti-bribery, and modern slavery compliance.
13. Decision-Making Capability
* Confident making purchasing decisions within delegated authority.
* Ability to balance cost, quality, risk, and programme.
* Skilled in using data to support commercial judgement.
* Capable of influencing senior stakeholders and presenting evidence-based recommendations.
14. Personal Attributes
* Strong team player with the ability to work independently.
* Professional, proactive, and solution-focused.
* Calm and adaptable under pressure.
* Commercially astute with a collaborative mindset.
* A positive influencer who promotes continuous improvement and high standards.