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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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).

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.