Assistant Buyer - Highways

Randstad Cpe London; Southampton; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Randstad Cpe London is recruiting for an Assistant Buyer - Highways in Southampton. The role covers end-to-end procurement for highways maintenance and public realm contracts, working hands-on with commercial, operational, technical and supply chain teams to secure best value and supplier performance.

The successful candidate will manage RFIs/RFQs/ITTs, negotiate terms, develop sourcing plans, and drive continuous improvement while supporting sustainability and Zero Harm initiatives.

Qualifications

• Experience in end-to-end procurement and supplier management.
• Experience negotiating commercial and contractual terms.
• Strong analytical, numerical, and problem-solving skills.
• Good understanding of commercial and financial risks.
• Excellent attention to detail and organisational skills.
• Ability to manage competing priorities and meet project deadlines.
• Strong customer and stakeholder focus.
• ERP/e-procurement experience (Oracle or Jaggaer) is advantageous.
• Construction/civils experience is desirable but not essential.

Responsibilities

• Assist end-to-end procurement activities for subcontracts, materials, plant and equipment.
• Evaluate tenders and prepare sourcing and award recommendations.
• Negotiate commercial terms, pricing and contractual conditions.
• Identify cost savings and value-for-money opportunities.
• Develop and maintain procurement schedules and sourcing plans.
• Carry out supplier due diligence and financial checks.
• Raise purchase orders and manage procurement processes in line with governance.
• Monitor supplier performance and implement improvement plans.
• Develop relationships with existing and new suppliers.
• Monitor market conditions, supplier capacity, pricing, risks and opportunities.
• Produce procurement reports, dashboards and management information.
• Work collaboratively with commercial, operational, technical, and HSEQS teams.
• Support sustainability, environmental, D&I, innovation and Zero Harm objectives.

Skills

End-to-end procurement

Supplier management

Negotiation

Analytical skills

Financial risk awareness

Attention to detail

Prioritisation

Stakeholder focus

ERP systems

Job description

Reference: ASSBUYERKU
Type: Contract
Position: Assistant Buyer - Highways
Location: Southampton, England
Industry: Engineering
Salary: Inside IR35

Role Purpose

Assisting end-to-end procurement activities for subcontracts, materials, plant, and equipment across highways maintenance and public realm contracts.

The role is hands-on and commercially focused, working closely with operational, commercial, technical, and supply chain teams to achieve best value, manage suppliers, and drive continuous improvement.

Key Responsibilities

• Assistant end-to-end procurement activities, including RFIs, RFQs and ITTs.
• Evaluate tenders and prepare sourcing and award recommendations.
• Negotiate commercial terms, pricing, and contractual conditions.
• Identify cost savings, cost avoidance, and value-for-money opportunities.
• Develop and maintain procurement schedules and sourcing plans.
• Carry out supplier due diligence and financial/commercial checks.
• Raise purchase orders and manage procurement processes in line with governance.
• Monitor supplier performance and implement improvement plans.
• Develop relationships with existing and new suppliers.
• Monitor market conditions, supplier capacity, pricing, risks, and opportunities.
• Produce procurement reports, dashboards, and management information.
• Work collaboratively with commercial, operational, technical, and HSEQS teams.
• Support sustainability, environmental, D&I, innovation, and Zero Harm objectives.

Experience & Skills

• Experience in end-to-end procurement and supplier management.
• Experience negotiating commercial and contractual terms.
• Strong analytical, numerical, and problem-solving skills.
• Good understanding of commercial and financial risks.
• Excellent attention to detail and organisational skills.
• Ability to manage competing priorities and meet project deadlines.
• Strong customer and stakeholder focus.
• ERP/e-procurement experience, such as Oracle or Jaggaer, is advantageous.
• Construction/civils experience is desirable but not essential; relevant procurement experience from other sectors will be considered.

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity in our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, colour, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.