Construction Buyer

Forum Contracts; Wickford; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

Forum Contracts in Wickford is seeking a Construction Buyer to join our office-based team. The role covers procurement of materials, plant and waste across multiple projects, ensuring quality, price and timely delivery.

You will obtain quotes, negotiate prices and payment terms, raise purchase orders, and track deliveries against project schedules. You will maintain supplier relationships and liaise with project managers, site teams and estimators to forecast needs and control costs.

Qualifications

• Experience in construction procurement or buying, ideally within a main contractor or related construction environment.
• Strong negotiation and supplier management skills, with the ability to secure competitive prices and reliable delivery terms.
• Ability to interpret drawings, specifications, and bills of quantities to identify material and subcontract requirements.
• Excellent organisation, time management, and attention to detail to handle multiple projects and deadlines.
• Clear written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with site teams, commercial staff, and external partners.
• Good understanding of construction materials, products, and supply chains; knowledge of sustainability and compliance standards is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Procure materials, plant and waste for multiple projects, ensuring quality, price and delivery.
• Obtain quotes, compare prices and negotiate terms.
• Raise purchase orders and track deliveries against schedules.
• Maintain supplier relationships and procurement records.
• Collaborate with project managers, site teams and estimators to forecast needs.
• Support value engineering and ensure compliance with procurement policies.
• Drive continuous improvement of purchasing processes.

Skills

Negotiation

Supplier management

Interpret drawings/specs

Organization & time management

Communication skills

Materials & supply chains

Job description

Forum Contracts is a Main Contractor providing full construction services, including fit-out, refurbishment, and new design & build developments. Since being established in 2004, the company has delivered projects across education, retail, commercial, residential, leisure, and healthcare sectors.

Role Description

This is a full-time, office based Construction Buyer role based in Wickford. The Construction Buyer will manage the procurement of materials, plant, and waste for multiple projects, ensuring that quality, price, and delivery requirements are met. Day-to-day tasks include obtaining and comparing quotes, negotiating prices and payment terms, raising purchase orders, and tracking deliveries against project schedules. The role also involves maintaining supplier relationships, updating procurement records and databases, and working closely with project managers, site teams, and estimators to forecast material needs and control costs. The Construction Buyer will contribute to value engineering, compliance with company procurement policies, and continuous improvement of purchasing processes.

Requirements

• Experience in construction procurement or buying, ideally within a main contractor or related construction environment.
• Strong negotiation and supplier management skills, with the ability to secure competitive prices and reliable delivery terms.
• Ability to interpret drawings, specifications, and bills of quantities to identify material and subcontract requirements.
• Excellent organisation, time management, and attention to detail to handle multiple projects and deadlines.
• Clear written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with site teams, commercial staff, and external partners.
• Good understanding of construction materials, products, and supply chains; knowledge of sustainability and compliance standards is advantageous.