Purchasing & Operations Lead — Construction, Process Improvement

Search Beyond Limited; Gillingham; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 45,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Free on-site parking

State of the art facilities

Progression for the right candidate

Job summary

Search Beyond Limited in Mid Kent is seeking a Purchasing & Business Operations Manager to own purchasing activity and help ensure the wider office operation runs efficiently. You will collaborate with colleagues across projects, commercial, design and operations to coordinate the business.

Your responsibilities include managing purchasing, building supplier relationships, negotiating terms, sourcing new options, maintaining records and driving process improvements to deliver reliable,

Qualifications

• Previous purchasing, buying or supplier-management experience.
• Experience within construction, a construction-related manufacturer, specialist subcontractor, fit-out, interiors, building products or a comparable project-led environment.
• Strong commercial awareness and an instinct for identifying opportunities to improve value.
• Excellent organisation, with the ability to manage several competing priorities.
• A proactive approach—you notice what needs improving and take the initiative to address it.
• Experience introducing or refining administrative and operational processes.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to encourage positive change.
• High attention to detail and pride in producing accurate work.
• The flexibility to turn your hand to different responsibilities in a growing business.

Responsibilities

• Managing purchasing activity and ensuring orders are placed accurately and on time.
• Reviewing the existing supplier base and monitoring cost, quality, service and delivery performance.
• Building productive, professional relationships with suppliers.
• Negotiating improved prices, terms and service agreements where appropriate.
• Researching and sourcing new suppliers when the business would benefit from alternative options.
• Maintaining clear purchasing records, order information and supplier data.
• Monitoring requirements across multiple live projects and anticipating potential issues.
• Coordinating deliveries and helping to prevent delays or shortages.
• Supporting stock control and ensuring relevant teams have accurate information.
• Reviewing existing processes and introducing practical improvements.
• Creating greater consistency, visibility and accountability across day-to-day operations.
• Producing and maintaining reports, trackers and working documents.
• Supporting general office coordination and ensuring consistently high professional standards.
• Communicating confidently with suppliers, clients and colleagues at every level.
• Taking ownership of problems and seeing them through to a sensible resolution.

Skills

Purchasing experience

Supplier management

Construction sector

Commercial awareness

Organisational skills

Process improvement

Interpersonal skills

Attention to detail

Adaptability

Job description

Search Beyond Limited in Mid Kent is seeking a Purchasing & Business Operations Manager to own purchasing activity and help ensure the wider office operation runs efficiently. You will collaborate with colleagues across projects, commercial, design and operations to coordinate the business.

Your responsibilities include managing purchasing, building supplier relationships, negotiating terms, sourcing new options, maintaining records and driving process improvements to deliver reliable,