Senior Buyer

Buyer / Senior Buyer

Salary: £35,000 - £55,000 DOE
Location: Essex
Job Type: Full-Time | Permanent (Temp-to-Perm also considered)

An established and growing specialist construction contractor is looking to recruit an experienced Buyer or Senior Buyer to join its commercial team. This is an excellent opportunity to join a well-respected business delivering high-quality construction projects across the UK.

The company is open to candidates at both Buyer and Senior Buyer level and is willing to wait for the right individual. Temporary-to-permanent arrangements will also be considered for suitable candidates.

The Role

As Buyer, you will play a key role in the procurement of materials and subcontract packages, ensuring projects are supplied efficiently, cost-effectively and on programme. Working closely with the commercial, pre-construction and surveying teams, you'll support the delivery of multiple live projects.

Key Responsibilities

• Procure materials in line with project programmes and commercial requirements.

• Raise and manage purchase orders with approved suppliers.

• Monitor procurement budgets against tender allowances.

• Negotiate with suppliers to achieve the best value and support company rebate agreements.

• Manage procurement documentation, including material schedules, delivery programmes and live hire reports.

• Support the pre-construction team with supplier enquiries and quotations.

• Assist Quantity Surveyors with pricing variations and procurement support.

• Resolve supplier invoice queries and discrepancies.

• Carry out stock checks and maximise the use of existing materials where possible.

• Build and maintain strong relationships with suppliers and internal project teams.

• Attend site visits when required.

About You

To be successful in this role, you will have:

• A minimum of 5 years' experience within a purchasing or procurement role in the construction industry.

• Experience buying construction materials and subcontract packages.

• Knowledge of external building envelope products such as roofing, cladding, windows and doors would be highly advantageous.

• The ability to read and interpret construction drawings.

• Experience carrying out material take-offs.

• Strong negotiation and supplier management skills.

• Excellent organisational and communication skills.

• A proactive and commercially aware approach.

• Full UK driving licence.

Desirable

• CIPS qualification (or working towards it).

• Experience working within specialist subcontracting or façade/building envelope sectors.

What's on Offer

• Salary of £35,000 - £55,000, depending on experience.

• Permanent opportunity with a stable and growing contractor.

• Temp-to-perm option available.

• Monday to Thursday: 8:00am - 5:30pm

• Friday: 8:00am - 1:00pm

• 20 days annual leave, plus Christmas shutdown and Bank Holidays.

• Supportive team environment with genuine long-term career prospects.

If you're an experienced Construction Buyer looking for your next opportunity with a successful and expanding contractor, we'd love to hear from you. Apply today for a confidential discussion.