Assistant Buyer

Derek Lewis Limited; Doncaster; Hybrid; GBP 21,000 - 29,000; Full time

Job summary

Derek Lewis Ltd is recruiting an Assistant Buyer to join the Surfacing & Civil Engineering team on a 40-hour week contract. The role supports day-to-day purchasing and operational requirements and works closely with our Buyer, operational teams and suppliers.

You will raise purchase orders, manage hired-in plant records, assist with reports and liaise with Accounts on invoices. The ideal candidate has strong communication, organisational skills and proficiency in Microsoft Office.

Qualifications

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to prioritise and meet deadlines.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office applications.
• Experience in purchasing, procurement or admin is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Raise purchase orders and record data on the costing system.
• Record and control hired-in plant; keep records accurate.
• Produce and distribute weekly live hire reports.
• Liaise with Accounts on invoices that don’t match POs.
• Investigate purchasing discrepancies and escalate to management.
• Develop relationships with suppliers and support procurement admin.
• Assist with daily Surfacing Department operations as required.
• Maintain accurate purchasing, supplier and plant-hire records.
• Support the Buyer with general purchasing and procurement admin.

Skills

Communication skills

Relationship building

Organisational skills

Multi-tasking

Attention to detail

Independent working

Microsoft Office

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Outlook

Job description

We are looking to recruit an Assistant Buyer on a 40hr week contract to join our Surfacing & Civil Engineering team.

This is a varied role supporting the day-to-day purchasing and operational requirements of the departments. The successful candidate will work closely with our Buyer, operational teams, Accounts Department and external suppliers, helping to ensure purchasing and hired plant are effectively controlled and accurately recorded.

Roles & Responsibilities

• Raise purchase orders and accurately record information on the Derek Lewis costing system.
• Record, monitor and control the use of hired-in plant, ensuring records remain accurate and up to date.
• Produce and distribute weekly live hire reports.
• Liaise with the Accounts Department regarding purchase invoices that do not match existing purchase orders.
• Investigate purchasing and invoice discrepancies, escalating issues to the Management Team where appropriate.
• Liaise directly with suppliers regarding queries and discrepancies, following issues through to resolution.
• Support the Buyer with general purchasing and procurement administration.
• Assist with the daily operational requirements of the Surfacing Department as required.
• Maintain accurate purchasing, supplier and plant-hire records.
• Develop positive working relationships with suppliers.

Skills & Experience

We are looking for someone who:

• Has excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the confidence to communicate clearly with suppliers, colleagues and management.
• Can build and maintain effective working relationships with suppliers and colleagues.
• Has strong organisational and administrative skills.
• Can manage multiple tasks, prioritise workloads and work to deadlines.
• Has good attention to detail and takes pride in maintaining accurate records.
• Is confident dealing with queries and following issues through to resolution.
• Is competent in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel, Word and Outlook.
• Can work independently while also contributing effectively as part of a busy operational team.

Previous experience within purchasing, procurement, construction, civil engineering, plant hire or a similar administrative role would be advantageous.

Derek Lewis Ltd is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of their race, sex, disability, beliefs, sexual orientation or age.