Assistant Buyer

Barhale Holdings; United Kingdom; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading UK civil engineering firm is seeking an Assistant Buyer to procure construction materials and support nationwide delivery teams. The role includes supplier negotiations, ensuring procurement aligns with ethical and sustainability goals. Candidates should have relevant experience, strong communication skills, and proficiency in Microsoft Office. This position offers competitive salary and benefits, promoting growth and career development.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Company pension

Life assurance

Private medical

Profit share scheme

25 days annual leave

Employee assistance programme

Flexible working arrangements

Qualifications

• Proven experience in procurement within the Rail or construction industry.
• Ability to build long-term relationships with suppliers.
• Strong decision-making skills and teamwork.

Responsibilities

• Procure construction materials across operational sectors.
• Evaluate quotations and negotiate prices.
• Ensure best value on goods and services.

Skills

Relevant experience in a similar role

Experienced negotiator

Commercial awareness

Communication skills

Computer literacy

Education

Relevant degree or equivalent or qualified by experience (QBE)

CIPS qualification or working towards CIPS

Tools

Microsoft Office

In-house purchasing systems

Job description

Who are Barhale?
Barhale is a business founded on family values, having been established by our Chairman, Dennis Curran, in 1980. We are one of the largest privately owned civil engineering and infrastructure specialists in the UK, with over 40 years of experience in providing design, civil engineering and maintenance services working across multiple sectors including:

Water
Transport
Built environment
Energy

We operate as a tier one partner for blue chip, regulated and private clients, working as part of large frameworks, joint ventures and alliances, as well as on individual standalone projects, developing long-term relationships based on delivering to the Barhale values, which have been integral to our business since their inception in 1985.
Our direct delivery model is at the core of everything we do, as we believe that people are our greatest asset. Therefore, we robustly source, train and retain all our frontline delivery teams as well as management and support services. We employ over 1,200 employees nationwide.
We possess a range of specialist skills to support our civil engineering and infrastructure activities, including:

Tunnelling
MEICA
Temporary and permanent design
Steel-fabrication
Signs (design and fabrication)
Health & safety equipment and products, including PPE

Company Website:
https://www.barhale.co.uk/
Company Showcase Video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XFqsoclCUZA
Why join Barhale?

As Gold Investors in People, we are committed to a high standard of people practices, creating an inclusive environment and ensuring cultural alignment to our business strategy, ethos and philosophies.
Job security, long-term secured work through various frameworks and large infrastructure schemes
A broad range of civil engineering and mechanical and electrical schemes across some of the UK’s largest infrastructure projects and clients
Strong career progression as demonstrated by our track record in promoting from within, as we believe this is a key driver to our success
Skills Development and Training

Assistant Buyer
The Role
As a buyer, you will be responsible for providing our nationwide delivery teams with a company-compliant professional material supply service whilst working with and supporting other business needs.
You will be communicating with internal business units, external suppliers, trade bodies and associations to achieve the best value on goods and services whilst being mindful of where materials are coming from within the supply chain, and ensuring the company continues to source ethically and sustainably.
The successful candidate will be joining a team which is at the forefront of developing the company’s Social Impact and Sustainability objectives, giving you a great opportunity to play a key role in enforcing those goals.
Key Responsibilities:
Buying Tasks

Procuring construction materials and related services across all operational sectors.
Carrying out supplier selection, evaluating quotations, and negotiating prices and logistics.
Proactively identifying market trends, product and industry developments and supply chain innovations through the engagement of external partners, leading as directed by the Procurement Manager on any specific commodity or category.
Providing commercial assistance on the contracts you are procuring for.
Liaising with sites and supply chain partners, developing relationships to ensure a planned “right-first-time” service is provided regarding safety, quality, programme, commercial aspects, and overall best value.
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.
Ensuring continuous communication with other team members to review contract progress and address associated issues immediately.
Maintaining full knowledge and understanding of purchasing strategy and processes to ensure a professional and auditable procurement contract is in place.

Accountabilities

Operating within financial governance levels
Managing work priorities and maximising efficiencies
Maintaining positive supplier relationships
Adherence to procurement procedures

Administrative responsibilities

Maintenance and upkeep of order and supply chain records utilising the company’s purchase order system and procedures.
Providing reports, data, and other material identified by the Procurement Manager relating to the department and whole business requirements, including KPIs.
Submitting detailed analysis to procurement and project teams for approval in line with governance.

Key measures & targets:

To provide evidence of best value regarding procurement, which may include commercial betterment, quality, and efficiency.
To evidence supply chain engagement, including performance management under company objectives.

Key relationships:

Procurement Manager / Supply Chain Manager / Senior Buyer / External Hire Desk Manager, and all levels of procurement personnel in both the central and regional teams
All internal departments, including site operations, HSEQ, estimating, accounts and business development.
External supply chain partners

Essential

Relevant experience in a similar role, ideally within the Rail or construction/engineering industry
Experienced negotiator, with the ability to establish long-term relationships and an engaged, collaborative supply chain
Demonstrable commercial awareness, with the ability to control and monitor budgets
Finely tuned communication skills regarding engaging with external and internal parties, including a confident and professional telephone manner
Excellent computer literacy with experience using Microsoft Office packages
In-house purchasing systems.
Ability to cope with a demanding, fast-paced environment, ensuring deadlines are met
Ability to make decisions using own initiative and work as part of a team

Desireable

CIPS qualification or working towards CIPS
Relevant degree or equivalent/or qualified by experience (QBE)
A full UK driving licence

Caring and investing in you
Our values have been embedded at Barhale for over 40 years, and they are our guiding principles 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 well-being and career aspirations will be supported by;

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

Would you like to know more?
Please contact our Recruitment team via [e-mail]