Buyer

Matchtech; Barton-under-Needwood; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading environmental construction company in the United Kingdom is seeking a Buyer for Materials and Services. This role focuses on procuring sustainable materials and services for projects such as river restoration and habitat creation. The ideal candidate will possess 3-5 years of procurement experience within the construction sector, have strong negotiation skills, and be committed to environmental sustainability. Join this dynamic team to contribute significantly to impactful environmental projects.

Qualifications

• 3-5 years' experience in construction procurement, ideally within environmental contracting or ecological construction.

Responsibilities

• Source and purchase specialist materials and services for environmental construction projects.
• Negotiate competitive pricing and delivery terms to optimise cost and sustainability.
• Develop and maintain relationships with suppliers and subcontractors in the environmental sector.
• Ensure compliance with company policies and environmental regulations.

Skills

Strong negotiation and supplier relationship management

Knowledge of environmentally sustainable materials and products

Competent in MS Office Suite (Excel, Word, Outlook)

Knowledge of Business Central ERP system

Understanding of construction and environmental regulations

Education

Degree qualified

Job description

Buyer - Materials and Services (Environmental Construction / River Restoration)

The Buyer is responsible for procuring materials, equipment, and subcontracted services that support environmental construction and civil engineering projects such as river restoration, habitat creation, wetland enhancement, erosion control and earthworks for Solar Farm installation. The role ensures that all purchases meet ecological design specifications, sustainability standards, and project delivery requirements, while achieving value for money and compliance with environmental and safety regulations.

Key Responsibilities

Procurement & Purchasing

• Source, evaluate, and purchase specialist materials and services required for environmental construction projects - including aggregates, timber, geotextiles, small tools, plant hire, labour, accommodation and PPE
• Negotiate competitive pricing, lead times, and delivery terms to optimise cost, quality, and sustainability.
• Create and maintain preferred supplier list.
• Coordinate with project teams to forecast procurement needs and ensure timely delivery to remote or environmentally sensitive sites.

Sustainable & Ethical Procurement

• Identify and select suppliers aligned with the company's environmental and sustainability objectives (e.g., low‑carbon materials, locally sourced aggregates, FSC‑certified timber, recycled or biodegradable products).
• Verify supplier compliance with environmental, health & safety, and quality standards (ISO 14001, ISO 9001, etc.).
• Maintain records to demonstrate sustainable procurement practices for client reporting and audits.

Supplier & Subcontractor Management

• Develop and maintain relationships with specialist suppliers and subcontractors in the environmental and ecological construction sector.
• Evaluate supplier performance on reliability, quality, environmental responsibility, and cost‑effectiveness.
• Resolve logistical, quality, or delivery issues to maintain smooth project execution.

Compliance & Documentation

• Ensure all purchasing activities comply with company policies, project specifications, and environmental regulations.
• Maintain procurement records, supplier documentation, and audit trails for compliance and client reporting.
• Support continuous improvement of procurement procedures and sustainability reporting.

Qualifications & Experience

Education: Degree qualified

Experience: 3-5 years' experience in construction procurement, ideally within environmental contracting, river restoration, ecological construction, or infrastructure.

Skills

• Strong negotiation and supplier relationship management.
• Knowledge of environmentally sustainable materials and products.
• Competent in MS Office Suite (Excel, Word, Outlook).
• Knowledge of Business Central ERP system (desirable).
• Understanding of construction and environmental regulations.

Key Competencies

• Strong commercial awareness and attention to detail.
• Effective communication and teamwork across technical and site teams.
• Analytical thinking and problem‑solving.
• Organisational skills and ability to manage multiple concurrent projects.
• Commitment to environmental sustainability and ethical sourcing.