Assistant Buyer

Barhale Holdings; United Kingdom; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job description

Here within the Anglian Water @one Alliance, we are a collaborative organisation made up of our seven partner companies (Anglian Water, Balfour Beatty, Barhale, MMB, MWH Treatment, Skanska and SWECO) and our extended supply chain, working together to deliver over half of Anglian Water’s capital investment programme.
We are gearing up for our most exciting and challenging Asset Management Period yet, known as AMP8, this will see us deliver a programme of work larger than we’ve ever offered before. We’ll embark on a new kind of project delivery focusing on nature-based solutions like wetlands and urban drainage schemes.
We are driving change, empowering us to set global benchmarks and build a better environment, with the opportunity to offer enhanced growth and development to our workforce. We’re looking to build on our existing teams with an environment built for career progression.
To do that we need aspiring driven talent to help us achieve our ambitious targets, are you ready to join us as we prepare to deliver the most creative and innovative AMP we have ever seen?
We truly care about enabling our business to be able to deliver what is needed to succeed and want to continue with the great progress we are making with efficiencies. To help us achieve these targets we are looking for an Assistant Buyer.

What you will be doing as our new Assistant Buyer?
As an Assistant Buyer, you will be responsible for sourcing, negotiating, and ordering materials and services, and hiring plant/equipment essential for the delivery of our projects in Civils and Utilities. You will work collaboratively with the site project teams and an experienced regional procurement team to deliver a best-in-class procurement service focused on timely cost-effective delivery of requirements.
This role requires an individual who thrives in a fast-paced environment with the ability to manage supplier relationships effectively and deliver cost-effective procurement without compromising quality or compliance, with the ability to work on your initiative as well as be part of a wider team environment.
Full support will be always given by the Procurement Team. This is an office-based role predominantly based in Wisbech but will at times be required to attend Client offices across East Anglia.

Key responsibilities:

1. Procuring construction materials and hiring plant and related services for the Eastern Region from an established supply chain.
2. Carrying out supplier selection, evaluating quotations, and negotiating prices and logistics.
3. Providing commercial assistance on the contracts you are procuring for.
4. Liaising with sites and supply chain partners, developing relationships to ensure a planned “right-first-time” service is provided regarding safety, quality, programme, commercials, and overall best value.
5. Working with and supporting internal business needs regarding commercial and product awareness at all stages of the construction process, ensuring that we jointly deliver major programme requirements. Training on product awareness will be given and ongoing.
6. Ensuring continuous communication with other team members to review contract progress and address associated issues immediately.
7. Maintaining full knowledge and understanding of purchasing strategy and processes to ensure a professional and auditable procurement contract is in place. Training will be given.

Accountabilities:

1. Operating within financial governance levels.
2. Managing work priorities and maximising efficiencies.
3. Maintaining supplier relationships.
4. Adherence to procurement procedures.

Administrative responsibilities:

Maintenance and upkeep of order and supply chain records utilising the company’s purchase order system and procedures.

Key measures and targets:

To provide evidence of best value regarding procurement, which may include commercial betterment, quality, and efficiency.

Key relationships:

1. Procurement Manager and all levels of procurement personnel in both the central and regional teams.
2. All internal departments including commercial, site teams, HSEQ, estimating, accounts and business development.
3. External supply chain partners.

A little bit about your skills, experience, and behaviours:

1. Relevant experience in a similar role, ideally within the Water Industry, Rail, or construction/engineering industry, preferred but not essential.
2. Experienced negotiator, with the ability to establish long-term relationships and an engaged, collaborative supply chain.
3. Demonstrable commercial awareness, with the ability to control and monitor budgets.
4. Confident communication skills regarding engaging with external and internal parties including a confident and professional telephone manner.
5. Proficient in using Microsoft Office packages and in-house purchasing systems. Training will be given on the in-house purchasing system.
6. Ability to cope with a demanding fast-paced environment ensuring deadlines are met.
7. Competent in making decisions using own initiative and work as part of a team.
8. Great attention to detail regarding contractual obligations and the placement of orders.

Desired skills/Qualifications:

1. IT literate and proficient in the use of the Microsoft Office package.
2. Experience using a purchasing/ordering system is desired, but not essential.

Personal Qualities:

1. Ability to be flexible and evolve due to the ever-changing nature of the construction industry.
2. Team player, sharing knowledge and best practice, whilst also having the capability to make decisions in a fast-moving environment.
3. Confidence to constructively challenge at all levels.
4. Analytical and solutions-driven ethic.

Caring and investing in you:
Our values have been embedded at Barhale for over 40 years and they are our guiding principle regarding how we care and invest in people. Our values are our commitment to being a people-centric company.
As a Gold Investors in People company and a Sunday Times 100 Best Company to Work For, we are committed to investing in people. We are passionate about creating a working environment where people are supported throughout their careers, where people can enjoy security and be part of a company that cares about them.
From the moment you join us, your wellbeing and career aspirations will be supported by:

1. Competitive salary.
2. Company Pension.
3. Life Assurance.
4. Private Medical.
5. Profit share scheme.
6. 25 days annual leave in addition to 8 public bank holidays and loyalty days.
7. 8 hours leave of absence for volunteering.
8. Employee Assistance Programme to support your mental, physiological and financial wellbeing.
9. Flexible benefits via salary sacrifice.
10. Company car/green car scheme/car allowance/Van (dependent on position).
11. Leadership & management training and coaching.
12. Regular line management engagement and appraisal to support your career progression.
13. Development supported by internal and externally delivered training.
14. Flexible working arrangements.
15. Annual salary review.
16. Continuous service awards.