Buyer

AmcoGiffen; Barnsley; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 50,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

25 days holiday + bank holidays

Pension scheme

Life insurance

Health benefits

Career progression

Safe and inclusive workplace

Employee forums

Job summary

AmcoGiffen in Barnsley seeks an experienced Buyer to join our central procurement team, supporting rail and civil engineering projects across the UK. You will manage sourcing, negotiation, contracts, and supplier relationships to drive value and compliance.

The ideal candidate has rail/civil procurement experience, strong negotiation and analytical skills, and is or aims to be CIPS certified. We offer a competitive package, pension, health benefits, and clear career progression.

Qualifications

• Previous purchasing experience, ideally within Rail/Civil Engineering environments.
• Strong negotiation skills with proactive cost efficiencies.
• Analytical thinking to process data and assess supplier performance.
• Clear communication and organisation with stakeholders.
• Holding or working towards a CIPS qualification.
• Adaptability and leadership to mentor junior staff.

Responsibilities

• Sourcing and negotiation: review requisitions, negotiate contracts, place orders in line with procedures.
• Strategic procurement: support Frameworks, Trading Agreements, and cost-saving initiatives.
• Supplier engagement: conduct supplier meetings, gather feedback, maintain high performance reviews.
• Process improvement: mentor Assistant Buyer, handle amendments and invoice queries.
• Compliance and oversight: authorize orders within delegated authority; challenge inefficiencies.
• Analysis and reporting: monitor supplier performance and provide procurement insights.
• Site and contract support: visit sites and review subcontract orders.

Skills

Purchasing experience

Negotiation

Analytical thinking

Communication

Leadership

Education

CIPS accreditation

Job description

Location: Barnsley, South Yorkshire

Sector: Rail / Civil Engineering

Are you an experienced Buyer with a passion for procurement in rail, civil engineering and construction? This is your opportunity to become an integral part of our fast-paced procurement and supply chain team, supporting critical projects across Scotland.

About Us

Join a dynamic procurement and supply chain environment that plays a vital role in supporting framework and project teams throughout the UK. Led by our Procurement Director, our central procurement team consists of regional Supply Chain Managers and procurement professionals, including Assistant Buyers, Buyers, and Senior Buyers. We drive procurement strategy and execute day-to-day operations for a variety of contracts spanning rail, civil engineering, environmental, M&E, power & energy and rail systems.

The Role

As a Buyer, you’ll be a key player within our central procurement team, reporting to the Senior Buyer for the region. Your expertise in procurement will ensure seamless supply chain management while fostering positive relationships with key partners and suppliers. Your responsibilities will include:

• Sourcing & Negotiation: Reviewing requisitions, negotiating contracts, and placing orders to meet business needs while ensuring compliance with company procedures.
• Strategic Procurement: Supporting the Supply Chain Manager and Senior Buyer in executing Frameworks, Trading Agreements, and cost-saving initiatives.
• Supplier Engagement: Conducting supplier meetings, gathering site feedback, and maintaining high-performance standards through 360-degree supplier reviews.
• Process Improvement: Driving Assistant Buyer participation in handling amendments and invoice queries while mentoring and developing junior team members.
• Compliance & Oversight: Authorising and committing orders within delegated authority levels, ensuring best practices, and challenging inefficiencies.
• Analysis & Reporting: Monitoring supplier performance, conducting data analysis, and providing valuable insights to the procurement strategy.
• Site & Contract Support: Visiting sites, reviewing subcontract orders/vendor assessments, and delivering added value through smart procurement practices.

What We’re Looking For

To excel in this role, you should have previous experience as a Buyer, procuring a diverse range of plant and materials. The ideal candidate will bring:

• Proven Experience: Previous purchasing experience, ideally within Rail/Civil Engineering environments.
• Strong Negotiation Skills: A proactive approach to securing the best agreements and driving cost efficiencies.
• Analytical Thinking: Ability to process data, assess supplier performance, and contribute to procurement strategy.
• Communication & Organisation: Excellent interpersonal skills, strong computer proficiency, and a structured approach to work.
• CIPS Accreditation: Holding or working towards a CIPS qualification, or demonstrable compensatory experience.
• Adaptability & Leadership: Ability to mentor junior staff, take initiative, and thrive in a fast-paced environment.

What We Offer

• Competitive Salary – Negotiable depending on experience
• Generous Holiday Package – 25 days (increasing with service) plus bank holidays
• Pension Scheme – Company contributory pension plan
• Life Insurance – Peace of mind for you and your loved ones
• Health Benefits – Medicash Health Cash Plan & Rewards
• Career Progression – A well-structured support system fostering professional development and long-term career growth
• Safe & Inclusive Workplace – A company culture that values collaboration, innovation, and employee well-being
• Employee Forums – A voice for every team member to influence company decisions

Take the next step in your career and be part of a forward-thinking procurement team that drives success in rail and civil engineering!

The Company

You will be joining a reputable and firmly established, engineering contractor operating nationally in rail, civils and engineering markets. AmcoGiffen are renowned in the market as a specialist civil, building, mechanical and electrical renewals and maintenance business with ongoing and successful projects and frameworks across the country, you will become part of our expert outfit.

AmcoGiffen has a wealth of experience working on sensitive, live assets in highly regulated environments, we deliver exceptional peace of mind for our customers, creating and maintaining assets across a growing range of high-quality public and private sectors. These include rail, power generation, electricity distribution, flood defence, aviation, waterways and much more.

Why AmcoGiffen?

Diversity & Inclusion at AmcoGiffen

We value collective expertise, but also the spark that one person can bring. As one of us, you can be you, because your individuality is an asset to our business and the communities in which we work and represent.

We are working hard as part of the civil engineering and construction industry, to improve diversity & inclusion. Our Diversity and inclusion journey at AmcoGiffen, is constantly evolving and is designed to break down barriers and promote the principles of a diverse workforce through multiple channels. This includes delivering training, raising awareness, regular forums and sharing our engagement calendar of activities and events to encourage participation at all levels throughout our organisation.

Diversity & Inclusion is embodied throughout our SPIRIT core Business values and lies at the heart of our culture of Safety, Professionalism, Innovation, Respect, Integrity and Teamwork.

AmcoGiffen is an Equal Opportunities Employer, offering challenging, worthwhile careers to everyone and is pro-actively committed to improving our understanding year on year to foster a diverse and inclusive environment for all employees as well as for the customers and communities in which we serve and operate within. It doesn’t matter to us what your age, disability, employment status, gender, health, marital status, sexual preference, membership or non-membership of a trade union, nationality, race, religion or social class are, or indeed any other personal characteristics not directly related to the relevant job. Anyone who meets the requirements of the job is eligible for employment with AmcoGiffen.

Health & Wellbeing

Operating from a people first perspective we support safety and wellbeing in the workplace as a priority. We have large number of colleagues that are trained and qualified mental health first aiders to support and listen where appropriate. We enrol all of the AmcoGiffen family onto an employee assistance programme which provides 24 hour, 7 days a week counselling and advice services.