Buyer

Barhale; Walsall; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Company Pension

Life Assurance

Private Medical

25 days annual leave + 8 bank holidays

8 hours volunteering

Employee Assistance Programme

Flexible benefits via salary sacrifice

Company car/green car scheme/car/van

Leadership & management training

Regular line management engagement

Internal and external training

Continuous service awards

Job summary

Barhale is a leading civil engineering and infrastructure specialist in the UK, with a strong focus on family values and long-term frameworks. The Buyer role sits at the heart of delivering projects across Water, Transport and Energy sectors, coordinating with site project teams and regional support to secure cost-effective materials and services.

The role requires a proactive negotiator in a fast-paced environment, ensuring supply chain excellence, compliance, and value delivery for major

Qualifications

• Relevant experience in a similar role, ideally within the Water Industry, 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
• Confident communication skills regarding engaging with external and internal parties including a confident and professional telephone manner
• Proficient in using Microsoft Office packages and in-house purchasing systems.
• Ability to cope with a demanding fast-paced environment ensuring deadlines are met
• Competent in making decisions using own initiative and work as part of a team

Responsibilities

• 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
• 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, commercials, and overall best value
• Working with and supporting internal business needs regarding commercial and product awareness at all stages of the construction process
• 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
• Great attention to detail regarding contractual obligations and the placement of orders
• Desirable: CIPS qualification or working towards CIPS
• A full UK driving licence
• Desirable: Relevant degree or demonstrable equivalent experience
• IT literate and proficient in the use of the Microsoft Office package

Skills

Negotiation

Communication

Microsoft Office

Teamwork

Driving licence

Education

CIPS qualification or working towards CIPS

Relevant degree or demonstrable equivalent experience

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

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
• 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 own 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:

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

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 business strategy, ethos and philosophies.
• Job security, long-term secured work through various frameworks and large infrastructure schemes
• A broad range of civil engineering, 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 of our success

Buyer

The Role

As a buyer, you will be responsible for sourcing, negotiating, and ordering materials, services, and plant equipment essential for the delivery of our projects, in Water, Transport, Energy and the Built Environment. You will work collaboratively with the site project teams, regional support teams and fellow procurement professionals to deliver a best-in-class procurement service focused on timely cost-effective delivery of requirements.

This role requires an individual that thrives in a fast-paced environment with the ability to manage supplier relationships effectively and deliver cost effective procurement without compromising quality or compliance. You will be able to engage with stakeholders at all levels to identify and implement effective procurement activities that align with project timelines and budgets while supporting the company’s sustainable procurement objectives.

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 Senior Buyer 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, commercials, 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
• Supporting Trainee/Assistant Buyers and working together to support growth and development
• 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 Senior Buyer relating to the department and whole business requirements, including KPIs
• Submitting detailed analysis to regional buyers and site teams for approval

About you

• Relevant experience in a similar role, ideally within the Water Industry, 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
• Confident communication skills regarding engaging with external and internal parties including a confident and professional telephone manner
• Proficient in using Microsoft Office packages and in-house purchasing systems.
• Ability to cope with a demanding fast-paced environment ensuring deadlines are met
• Competent in making decisions using own initiative and work as part of a team

Great

attention to detail regarding contractual obligations and the placement of orders

• CIPS qualification or working towards CIPS
• IT literate and proficient in the use of the Microsoft Office package
• 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.

• Company Pension
• Life Assurance
• Private Medical
• 25 days of annual leave in addition to 8 public bank holidays and loyalty days
• 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

Proud member of the Disability Confident employer scheme

Company: Barhale Salary: Competitive Hours: Full-time Location: Walsall, WS1 4NN Job type: Permanent Posting date: 19 Oct 2026 Closing date: 17 Nov 2026

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
• 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 own 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

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 business strategy, ethos and philosophies.
• Job security, long-term secured work through various frameworks and large infrastructure schemes
• A broad range of civil engineering, 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 of our success

Buyer

The Role

As a buyer, you will be responsible for sourcing, negotiating, and ordering materials, services, and plant equipment essential for the delivery of our projects, in Water, Transport, Energy and the Built Environment. You will work collaboratively with the site project teams, regional support teams and fellow procurement professionals to deliver a best-in-class procurement service focused on timely cost-effective delivery of requirements.

This role requires an individual that thrives in a fast-paced environment with the ability to manage supplier relationships effectively and deliver cost effective procurement without compromising quality or compliance. You will be able to engage with stakeholders at all levels to identify and implement effective procurement activities that align with project timelines and budgets while supporting the company’s sustainable procurement objectives.

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 Senior Buyer 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, commercials, 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
• Supporting Trainee/Assistant Buyers and working together to support growth and development
• 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 Senior Buyer relating to the department and whole business requirements, including KPIs
• Submitting detailed analysis to regional buyers and site teams for approval

About you

Essential

• Relevant experience in a similar role, ideally within the Water Industry, 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
• Confident communication skills regarding engaging with external and internal parties including a confident and professional telephone manner
• Proficient in using Microsoft Office packages and in-house purchasing systems.
• Ability to cope with a demanding fast-paced environment ensuring deadlines are met
• Competent in making decisions using own initiative and work as part of a team

Great

attention to detail regarding contractual obligations and the placement of orders

• CIPS qualification or working towards CIPS
• IT literate and proficient in the use of the Microsoft Office package
• A full UK driving licence

• Desirable
• CIPS qualification or working towards CIPS
• Relevant degree or demonstrable equivalent experience
• IT literate and proficient in the use of the Microsoft Office package
• A full UK driving licence

Caring and investing in you

• Competitive salary
• Company Pension
• Life Assurance
• Private Medical
• 25 days of annual leave in addition to 8 public bank holidays and loyalty days
• 8 hours 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
• Continuous service awards

Proud member of the Disability Confident employer scheme

About Disability Confident Disability Confident is a government scheme. It encourages employers to recruit and retain disabled people and those with long term health conditions.