Assistant Buyer

Vistry Group PLC; Tandridge; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading construction firm in the UK is seeking an Assistant Buyer to join their team in Caterham, Surrey. The role involves supporting the Buyer in ensuring materials are available on-site and managing purchasing efficiently. Ideal candidates will have knowledge of construction methods and materials, strong IT skills, and excellent communication abilities. Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits including a company car and flexible working options are offered.

Benefits

Competitive basic salary and annual bonus

Company car or travel allowance

Enhanced maternity, paternity, and adoption leave

Private medical insurance

Up to 33 days annual leave

Qualifications

• Good understanding of building regulations and legal obligations.
• Ability to assess and analyse information.
• Accurate with an eye for detail.

Responsibilities

• Assist the Buyer in ensuring materials are delivered on time.
• Produce site specific material schedules.
• Assist in the assessment and comparison of material quotations.

Skills

Building regulations knowledge

Construction materials understanding

Mathematical ability

IT skills

Budget management knowledge

Communication skills

Negotiating skills

Team working skills

Education

HNC/ONC or Degree in Construction

Job description

Role Overview

In a Nutshell…

We have an exciting opportunity for an Assistant Buyer to join our team within Vistry South East, at our office in Caterham, Surrey. As our Assistant Buyer, you will assist and support the Buyer/s to ensure specified materials are available on site to meet programmes and assist with the efficient running of the material purchasing function. This must be within full compliance of the Best Practice procedures and the Company’s Health, Safety & Environmental Policies.

We value in-person collaboration and team culture, but we’re also committed to supporting flexible working where possible. We encourage you to raise any specific requirements during the interview process so we can explore how this could be accommodated.

Let’s cut to the chase, what’s in it for you…

• Competitive basic salary and annual bonus
• Company car, car allowance or travel allowance
• Salary sacrifice car scheme available to all employees
• Up to 33 days annual leave plus bank holidays increasing to up to 39 days with service
• 2 Volunteering days per annum
• Private medical insurance, with employee paid cover
• Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption leave
• Competitive pension scheme through salary sacrifice
• Life assurance at 4 x your annual salary
• Share save and share incentive schemes
• Employee rewards portal with many more benefits…

In return, what we would like from you…

• Behave in line with our company values – Integrity, Caring and Quality
• A good understanding or building regulations and legal obligations
• A good knowledge of construction methods and materials
• Strong mathematical and IT ability
• Ability to assess and analyse information
• Good business sense
• Good understanding of budget management
• Excellent communications skills
• Able to work under pressure, and accept criticism of work
• Good team working skills
• Accurate with an eye for detail
• Negotiating and networking skills
• Willing to work extra to meet deadlines as and when the business needs require it

Desirable…

• HNC/ ONC or Degree in Construction
• Member of the Chartered Institute of Building, or working towards full membership, or,
• Working towards being a chartered member of the Institute of Purchasing & Supply (CIPS)
• Understanding of changes to regulations and legislation

More about the Assistant Buyer role…

• Assist the Buyer/s to ensure materials are delivered to sites in line with site programmes and specification and are purchased at competitive prices.
• Produce site specific material schedules.
• Assist the Buyer/s in the collation of documentation and issuing of material tender enquires for new sites/phases.
• Assist the Buyer/s in the assessment and comparison of material quotations.
• Process new material orders.
• Process site purchase orders for replacement materials and assist in production of monthly reports detailing expenditure.
• Work with the Buyer to research new products.
• Carry out the invoice checking procedure and where necessary negotiate credits.
• Assist the commercial team in the management of aged debt.
• Continually monitor material lead times, keeping build and site managers informed, instigate forward material allocation when necessary.
• Assist with site call-offs.
• Provide general assistance to the Commercial department as and when required.
• Assist the site teams in chasing deliveries, keeping build and site managers informed of any delays.
• Provide support for Sub-Contract packages. Preparing tender information, chasing tender returns, raising low value orders and chasing the return of signed orders.
• Support the bid team in chasing tender returns & providing material check prices.
• Attend departmental meetings as required.
• Deal with queries from site managers.
• Maintain open lines of communication with colleagues in other departments.

Finally, let’s tell you a bit more about us…

We build more than homes, we’re making Vistry. Being a responsible developer and award-winning employer means we live each day through our ethos - doing the right thing. Our behaviours reflect this, as well as our values of integrity, caring and quality. Shaping all we do; they empowerus to develop sustainable communities across affordable and private housing. We work in a partnership-led way, and you’ll recognise our renowned brands Bovis Homes, Linden Homes and Countryside Homes. Together with Vistry Works, our manufacturing operation,and the functional support of Vistry Services, we’re a proud UK Green Building Council member, UK top five housebuilder with a five-star House Builders Federation (HBF) customer satisfaction rating, and winner of many awards including Top Employer, Global Top Inspiring Workplaces, and Best for Talent Attraction and Outreach.

Join us in making Vistry.