Graduate Assistant Buyer: Construction Buying

KPI Recruiting Ltd; Warrington; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 31,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

KPI bonus

Private medical care

Pension scheme

26 days leave

Car allowance

Site travel

Career progression

Job summary

KPI Recruiting Ltd in Warrington is seeking a Graduate / Assistant Buyer to join a growing construction operation. This full-time, office-based role offers structured training and progression within buying and procurement for residential developments.

You will assist with specifications, supplier quotations, material budgets, and cost analysis while liaising with the Construction Director. 28,500 base salary plus 4,000 car allowance, 26 days leave, and a 10% KPI-based bonus.

Qualifications

• Strong organisational and time-management skills.
• Excellent attention to detail and accuracy.
• Good verbal and written communication skills.
• Commercial awareness and an interest in buying or procurement.
• Ability to analyse quotations, costs and pricing.
• Confident communicating with suppliers and internal teams.
• Good IT skills and confidence using Microsoft Office.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and work to deadlines.
• A proactive and practical approach to problem-solving.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• An interest in the construction or housebuilding industry.
• Previous experience in construction, buying, procurement or a related environment would be advantageous.
• Relevant qualifications or a degree in construction, procurement, quantity surveying, business or a related subject would be beneficial.

Responsibilities

• Assist with managing the specification process and agreeing final specifications for houses and apartments.
• Obtain and prepare material schedules from working drawings.
• Prepare tender lists and tender documentation for major materials.
• Obtain, compare and analyse supplier quotations.
• Prepare material budgets and provide cost information to surveyors.
• Negotiate prices with suppliers and place material orders.
• Check material schedules against drawings and specifications.
• Place bulk and supplementary orders as required.
• Provide material costs for variations and purchasers extras.
• Amend and place orders in accordance with variations.
• Negotiate plant prices and place plant orders required by sites.
• Liaise with the Construction Director regarding site set-up and compound requirements.
• Monitor and collate material, plant and variation costs.
• Provide monthly cost analysis and reporting.
• Check material and plant invoices against orders and resolve discrepancies.
• Arrange supplier credits where necessary.
• Attend buying forums and assist with identifying new products and innovations.
• Research new construction products, solutions and suppliers.
• Assist with the production of sales specifications and product selection.
• Agree prices with manufacturers and key suppliers.
• Support the wider Buying Team and contribute to departmental development.

Skills

Organisational skills

Attention to detail

Communication skills

Commercial awareness

Quotation analysis

Supplier communication

MS Office

Time management

Problem solving

Teamwork

Construction/housebuilding interest

Experience in buying/procurement

Education

Degree in construction/procurement/QS/business

Job description

GRADUATE / ASSISTANT BUYER FULL TIME WARRINGTON GBP28,500 + GBP4,000 CAR ALLOWANCE 9 30 MON THURS 8 30 FRIDAY

We are currently recruiting for a Graduate / Assistant Buyer to join a growing construction operation based in Warrington.

This is an excellent opportunity for an organised and commercially minded individual to develop their career within buying and procurement, supporting the delivery of residential developments including houses and apartments.

Key Responsibilities

• Assist with managing the specification process and agreeing final specifications for houses and apartments.
• Obtain and prepare material schedules from working drawings.
• Prepare tender lists and tender documentation for major materials.
• Obtain, compare and analyse supplier quotations.
• Prepare material budgets and provide cost information to surveyors.
• Negotiate prices with suppliers and place material orders.
• Check material schedules against drawings and specifications.
• Place bulk and supplementary orders as required.
• Provide material costs for variations and purchasers extras.
• Amend and place orders in accordance with variations.
• Negotiate plant prices and place plant orders required by sites.
• Liaise with the Construction Director regarding site set-up and compound requirements.
• Monitor and collate material, plant and variation costs.
• Provide monthly cost analysis and reporting.
• Check material and plant invoices against orders and resolve discrepancies.
• Arrange supplier credits where necessary.
• Attend buying forums and assist with identifying new products and innovations.
• Research new construction products, solutions and suppliers.
• Assist with the production of sales specifications and product selection.
• Agree prices with manufacturers and key suppliers.
• Support the wider Buying Team and contribute to departmental development.

What You ll Have

• Strong organisational and time-management skills.
• Excellent attention to detail and accuracy.
• Good verbal and written communication skills.
• Commercial awareness and an interest in buying or procurement.
• Ability to analyse quotations, costs and pricing.
• Confident communicating with suppliers and internal teams.
• Good IT skills and confidence using Microsoft Office.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and work to deadlines.
• A proactive and practical approach to problem-solving.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• An interest in the construction or housebuilding industry.
• Previous experience in construction, buying, procurement or a related environment would be advantageous.
• Relevant qualifications or a degree in construction, procurement, quantity surveying, business or a related subject would be beneficial.

Benefits

• Salary of GBP28,500, negotiable depending on experience.
• GBP4,000 car allowance.
• 10% KPI-based bonus, with bonuses discretionary and 100% of entitlement paid over the last three years.
• BUPA single-person private medical cover.
• 3% employer pension contribution.
• 26 days annual leave.
• Option to purchase an additional 5 days through salary sacrifice.
• Full-time, office-based role in Warrington.
• Some site travel as the role develops.
• Excellent opportunity to build a career within construction buying and procurement.