Materials Buyer

Londinium Recruitment; Greater London; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Londinium Recruitment is seeking an experienced Materials Buyer for an Essex office-based role. You will manage day-to-day purchasing of construction materials across multiple live projects, ensuring timely delivery and cost efficiency.

The role requires strong knowledge of construction materials, supplier markets, and ability to read drawings and specifications. Office-based with potential for close collaboration with commercial and project teams.

Qualifications

• Experience in procurement for subcontractors or specialist contractors in construction.
• Ability to read drawings, specifications and material schedules.
• Strong negotiation and supplier quotation comparison skills.
• Good IT proficiency, especially Excel and purchasing systems.

Responsibilities

• Manage day-to-day purchasing across live projects.
• Review drawings and material schedules to establish requirements.
• Obtain competitive quotations from suppliers and negotiate pricing.
• Place and manage purchase orders through to delivery.
• Coordinate with Commercial and Project teams to align with programmes.
• Maintain supplier relationships and monitor lead times and availability.
• Identify new suppliers and cost-saving opportunities.

Skills

Procurement

Negotiation

Supplier management

Reading drawings

Excel

Tools

Procurement software

Excel

Job description

Materials Buyer - Specialist Subcontractor

Essex Office Based

£40,000-£60,000 DOE + package

We're working with an established specialist subcontractor operating across the construction sector, who are looking to bring an experienced Materials Buyer into their Essex office.

This is a key role within the business, working closely with the Commercial, Design and Project teams to ensure all materials are procured efficiently, competitively and in line with project programmes.

The successful candidate will have a good understanding of construction materials and supplier markets, with experience buying materials for a subcontractor, joinery contractor, fit-out business or similar specialist contractor.

The Role

• Managing the day-to-day purchasing of materials across multiple live projects
• Reviewing project drawings, specifications and material schedules to establish requirements
• Obtaining competitive quotations from suppliers
• Negotiating pricing, lead times and delivery arrangements
• Placing and managing purchase orders through to delivery
• Working closely with the Commercial and Project teams to ensure materials are ordered in line with programme
• Liaising with suppliers to monitor lead times and availability
• Managing multiple orders and projects simultaneously
• Building and maintaining strong relationships with the company's existing supplier base
• Identifying new suppliers and alternative products where appropriate
• Challenging costs and looking for opportunities to achieve savings without compromising quality
• Resolving any issues around deliveries, shortages, quality or incorrect materials
• Ensuring materials are available when required to keep production and projects running smoothly
• Maintaining accurate purchasing records and supporting the commercial team with cost information
• Keeping up to date with supplier pricing, material availability and market conditions

About You

We're looking for someone who understands the subcontractor environment and is used to working at pace across multiple projects.

You'll ideally have:

• Previous experience as a Materials Buyer / Buyer / Procurement professional within construction
• Experience working for a subcontractor or specialist contractor
• Good knowledge of construction materials and supplier markets
• Strong negotiation and commercial skills
• Experience obtaining and comparing supplier quotations
• Ability to read and understand drawings, specifications and schedules
• Excellent organisation and attention to detail
• Ability to manage multiple orders and deadlines
• Strong communication skills and confidence dealing with suppliers
• Good IT skills, particularly Excel and relevant purchasing systems

Joinery experience would be highly advantageous, particularly if you've previously bought materials such as timber, sheet materials, ironmongery, hardware, finishes or associated products.

The Company

This is a great opportunity to join an established specialist subcontractor with a strong project pipeline and a close-knit team.

The role is office based in Essex, working alongside an experienced commercial and project team where you'll have genuine responsibility for the purchasing function and the opportunity to make a tangible difference to project delivery and margins.