Buyer/Senior Buyer

Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (CIPS); England; Hybrid; GBP 35,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading procurement firm in the UK is seeking a Buyer to join their Regional Procurement team. The role involves sourcing materials, managing supplier relationships, and driving procurement efficiency across projects. Ideal candidates will have strong communication skills, a customer-centric approach, and proficiency in Microsoft Office. This position offers a competitive salary and hybrid working options.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Hybrid working

Car/car allowance

25 days holiday + Bank Holidays

Contribution Pension scheme

Life Assurance

Health Insurance

Private Medical Insurance

Cycle to work scheme

Qualifications

• Strong communication and influencing skills, with the ability to build effective relationships.
• Customer-centric approach to procurement delivery.
• Self-starter with confidence in representing Procurement.
• Commercially astute understanding of cost drivers and risk.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite.

Responsibilities

• Lead procurement activities ensuring best value and cost efficiencies.
• Collaborate with teams to understand procurement needs.
• Manage supplier relationships to resolve issues.
• Ensure compliance with procurement policies and regulations.
• Prepare regional level reports on procurement performance.

Skills

Strong communication and influencing skills

Customer-centric approach

Self-starter

Commercially astute

Networking skills

Ethical procurement practices

Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite

Education

CIPS qualification or working towards it

Qualification in Business or related field

Job description

About The Role

MWH Treatment are strengthening our Regional Procurement team to maintain high standards of governance, efficiency, and strategic alignment. To support this, we are recruiting a Buyer, based at our Testwood Office, with hybrid working available.

The Buyer is responsible for delivering procurement activities across multiple projects within a region. This includes sourcing materials, negotiating terms, placing orders, managing supplier relationships, and ensuring timely delivery of goods and services to support our projects. The role plays a critical part in cost control, risk mitigation, and operational efficiency.

Job Summary

• Sourcing Materials and Services: Leading procurement activities for a number of projects ensuring best value, innovation, and cost efficiencies.
• Supporting Project Demands: Providing procurement support to meet increased workload and ensure timely, compliant sourcing.
• Enhancing Supplier Relationships: Building strong partnerships to ensure performance, compliance, and continuous improvement.
• Driving Consistency: Aligning all procurement practices with company and client policies and procedures.

Key Responsibilities

Sourcing Materials and Services

• Collaborate with project managers, engineers, and site teams to understand procurement needs.
• Support the development of project procurement strategies/plans aligned with business goals.
• Lead tender processes, including ITTs/RFQs and evaluations.
• Place orders with suppliers and expedite deliveries when required to meet project timelines.
• Analyse market trends and risks to inform sourcing decisions.
• Lead negotiations with suppliers to establish commercial terms, service levels (including KPIs), and contractual conditions.
• Ensure compliance to Client & MWHT frameworks to mitigate risk and optimise value.
• Manage committed project costs to mitigate financial risk and minimise business exposure.

Supply Chain Management

• Establish and maintain supplier relationships, resolving supply and service issues.
• Ensure supplier compliance with Health & Safety obligations.
• Address and resolve internal and external supply chain issues, acting as the primary escalation point.

Process Management & Improvement

• Ensure adherence to procurement policies, contracts, and regulations.
• Implement best practices and drive continuous process improvement.
• Promote sustainable procurement aligned with business values and ESG objectives.
• Maintain and optimise the P2P system, ensuring clean and accurate data.
• Support internal and external audits.

Performance, Reporting & Representation

• Prepare regional level reports on procurement performance.
• Represent the department and organisation professionally in all interactions.
• Build strong relationships with clients, suppliers, and internal teams.
• Share best practices, innovation and drive continuous improvement.
• Undertake additional duties, training, or working hours as reasonably required, consistent with the level of responsibility of this role.
• Proactively manage your own continuous professional development by engaging in external networking, conferences, associations, and training to stay current with industry trends and innovations.

About You

Essential

• Strong communication and influencing skills, with the ability to build effective relationships across functions, suppliers, and stakeholders.
• Customer‑centric approach to procurement delivery.
• Self‑starter with the confidence to represent the Procurement function independently.
• Commercially astute with a solid understanding of cost drivers and risk.
• Skilled in networking and exerting positive business influence.
• Committed to ethical procurement practices in line with the CIPS Ethical Policy.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite, with a proven track record of effective use.
• Demonstrates and champions the company's core values and behaviours.

Desirable

• CIPS qualified or actively working towards certification.
• Qualification in Business, Logistics, Supply Chain Management, Engineering, Economics, Procurement, or a related field.
• Developing knowledge of construction materials, logistics, and relevant regulatory standards.
• Familiarity with ISO standards, ESG compliance, and ethical sourcing practices.
• Experience in regulated industries such as utilities, construction, pharmaceuticals, aerospace, or food.

About Us

MWH Treatment is an integrated design and build provider working in the water sector. With over 1400 staff working across eight regional centres, we support six long‑term water sector frameworks and two recently won frameworks, operating both as a sole contractor but also in joint ventures and alliances.

At MWH Treatment we believe that people matter. We know to build successful, creative teams we need a diverse workforce that can deliver innovative ways of thinking. We provide an environment where you will have the freedom to develop and grow to your full potential, creating opportunity by inviting, embracing, and celebrating difference. Our goal as an employer is to motivate, and develop our employees.

As signatories to the Armed Forces Corporate Covenant, we have made a promise to support our forces, working with the CTP to help ex veterans find work in the civilian world. We also support Mates in Mind, a charitable programme to improve and promote positive mental health in the workplace. We don't just tick boxes; we live these values every day.

What MWH offer

• A competitive salary
• Hybrid Working (Jobs needs dependent)
• Car/car allowance (Jobs needs dependent)
• 25 days holiday + Bank Holidays (with an additional 5 days available to buy)
• Contribution Pension scheme
• Life Assurance
• Health Insurance
• Private Medical Insurance

And many more benefits including cycle to work scheme, discounts and savings Hub, Kids Pass etc.