Project Buyer

Trant Engineering Ltd; Southampton; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 56,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Company car or car allowance

Career Development Association

Hybrid working

Pension scheme

Flexible core hours

Bike to Work Scheme

Discretionary annual bonus

Employee Assistance Program

Free onsite parking

Job summary

Trant Engineering is seeking a Project Buyer to support procurement for complex engineering projects in Southampton. You will manage sourcing, quotation analysis, and purchasing to balance cost, quality, and delivery within project budgets and schedules.

The role involves close collaboration with Project Managers, Engineers, and Site Teams to understand needs, mitigate risks, and ensure compliance with contract terms. A relevant qualification and demonstrated procurement experience are required.

Qualifications

• Relevant technical, engineering, or business qualification (degree, HND, or equivalent experience).
• Proven procurement or project buying experience in engineering, construction, water, or energy sectors.
• Experience managing purchase orders and supplier relationships for multi-site projects.
• Strong communication, negotiation, and organisational skills.
• Understanding of project schedules, lead times, and supplier management.

Responsibilities

• Maintain procurement plans, prioritise requisitions, and ensure timely placement of purchase orders.
• Procure materials, plant, and equipment for assigned projects.
• Prepare and issue purchase orders, manage quotations, and procurement documentation.
• Source suppliers, evaluate proposals, and negotiate commercial terms within delegated authority.
• Ensure purchased goods meet cost, quality, technical, and delivery requirements.
• Collaborate with Project Managers, Engineers, and Site Teams to understand project needs and risks.

Skills

Procurement

Negotiation

Vendor management

Communication

Project buying

Education

Engineering degree

Tools

ERP systems

Job description

Project Buyer

Application Deadline: 9 October 2026

Department: Procurement

Employment Type: Permanent - Full Time

Location: Southampton

Reporting To: Patrick P Trant

Description

Join Trant Engineering and help shape the delivery of complex, high-impact projects.

Trant Engineering is a leading EPC contractor with a strong reputation for delivering innovative engineering solutions across the UK and internationally. With over 1,000 employees and a £150m turnover, we’re growing - and now looking for an experienced Project Buyer to play a key role in our project delivery teams.

The Role

The Project Buyer is responsible for sourcing and purchasing construction materials by obtaining quotations and undertaking comparison analysis balancing cost, quality, programme and associated risks. The Project Buyer will negotiate favourable pricing and terms with suppliers in line with budgets and project requirements.

What You’ll Be Doing

Technical Responsibilities: Procurement

• Responsible for maintaining and controlling project procurement plans, prioritising requisitions and ensuring timely placement of purchase orders.
• Procure materials, plant, and equipment for assigned projects.
• Prepare and issue purchase orders, manage quotations, and administer procurement documentation.
• Source suppliers, evaluate proposals, and negotiate commercial terms within delegated authority.
• Ensure purchased goods and services meet cost, quality, technical, and delivery requirements.

Stakeholder Management

• Work closely with Project Managers, Engineers, and Site Teams to understand project needs, schedules, and priorities.
• Provide timely advice on procurement options, availability, and potential risks.
• Collaborate with Commercial Teams to ensure cost control and compliance with contract terms.
• Build and maintain effective relationships with suppliers.
• Monitor supplier performance against delivery, cost, and quality commitments.
• Resolve supply issues and elevate risks to Project or Commercial Managers.

Compliance

• Ensure all procurement activities comply with company policies, delegated authorities, and contract requirements.
• Ensures accuracy and validity of information committed to IT systems.
• Support internal and client audits related to procurement activities.
• Maintain accurate records of purchase orders, supplier information, and project expenditure.
• Identify opportunities for cost savings, efficiency, and value engineering.
• Support sustainable procurement and ethical sourcing practices where possible.
• Support the implementation of procurement best practices and lessons learned across projects.

Core Values:

Uphold and promote the Company’s Core Values - Care, Trust, Respect and Sustainability.

What We’re Looking For

Essential

• Relevant technical, engineering, or business qualification (degree, HND, or equivalent experience).
• Proven procurement or project buying experience in engineering, construction, water, or energy sectors.
• Experience managing purchase orders and supplier relationships for multi-site projects.
• Strong communication, negotiation, and organisational skills.
• Understanding of project schedules, lead times, and supplier management.

Desirable

• Procurement or supply chain qualification (e.g. CIPS) or working towards.
• Experience within regulated utility frameworks (water or energy).

Why Join Trant?

At Trant Engineering, we deliver complex, high-value engineering and construction projects across the UK. From process and water treatment to energy infrastructure upgrades, we play a key role in delivering and protecting critical national infrastructure – shaping the systems that communities and industries rely on every day.

Our teams design and deliver full EPC solutions, combining technical excellence with practical, hands‑on delivery. We offer end-to-end capabilities - from concept and design through to manufacturing, construction and commissioning utilising a continually evolving in-house expertise. This means you’ll work on projects that are varied, challenging and genuinely impactful.

Our multi‑disciplinary teams bring together specialists in civil, mechanical, electrical, process, instrumentation, and control & automation engineering, alongside our in‑house manufacturing of control panels, MCCs, PLCs and SCADA systems. With over 1,000 people and a strong, growing pipeline of work, it’s an exciting time to join Trant. We are committed to helping our people succeed through our Career Development Association, providing structured support, mentoring and clear pathways to help you reach your full potential.

Whether you’re starting out or looking to take your next career step, Trant offers the chance to develop, progress and make a real difference.

Our company benefits package includes.

• Competitive salary.
• Company car or car allowance (some levels).
• Mentored support within our ‘Career Development Association’, to work towards chartership.
• 24 days holiday (increasing with service) + 8 bank holidays.
• Options to buy additional holiday via salary sacrifice.
• Company Pension Scheme.
• Flexible working based on a ‘core hours’ system.
• 1 x Professional Membership paid annually.
• Hybrid working.
• Employee Assistance Program.
• Free onsite parking.
• Bike to Work Scheme.
• Discretionary annual bonus.