Buyer – Highways

Advance Training & Recruitment Services; Southampton; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

Advance Training & Recruitment Services is seeking a procurement professional to lead end-to-end procurement for highways maintenance subcontracts, materials, plant and equipment. You will work collaboratively with operations, commercial, technical, and supply chain teams to achieve best value and manage supplier performance.

Key duties include handling RFIs, RFQs and ITTs; evaluating tenders; negotiating terms; developing sourcing plans; supplier due diligence; raising purchase orders;

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.

Responsibilities

• Manage 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.

Skills

End-to-end procurement

Supplier management

Negotiation

Analytical skills

Risk management

Attention to detail

Stakeholder management

ERP/e-procurement

Tools

Oracle/Jaggaer

Job description

Role Purpose

Responsible for managing 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

• Manage 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.