Senior Buyer

Footprint Social Enterprise Limited; Oldham; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading social enterprise is seeking an experienced Senior Buyer to join their growing construction business. You will lead the procurement of materials, plant, goods, and services, ensuring best value through strategic sourcing and strong supplier relationships. The ideal candidate will have demonstrable experience in construction procurement and excellent negotiation skills. This role plays a vital part in commercial performance and project outcomes, making a substantial impact on profitability.

Qualifications

• Demonstrable experience in construction procurement.
• Experience supporting commercial reporting and cost analysis.
• Strong understanding of materials, supply chain performance and contract terms.

Responsibilities

• Develop and deliver sourcing strategies for construction materials.
• Build and maintain strong supplier relationships.
• Align procurement activity with project budgets and cash-flow forecasts.

Skills

Negotiation skills

Analytical capability

Stakeholder management

Attention to detail

Team player

Communication skills

Education

Procurement or supply chain certification (e.g., CIPS)

Tools

Microsoft Office

Evolution M

Job description

Senior Buyer

Construction | Business Support Division

Location: Oldham

Salary: £45k - £50k

Employment Type: Full-Time

Reports to: Business Support Director

Sector: Construction / Procurement / Commercial Support

Overview

An experienced Senior Buyer is required to lead the procurement of materials, plant, goods and services across a growing construction business. This role plays a central part in commercial performance, programme delivery, and robust supply chain management.

Working closely with Commercial, Pre-Construction, Project and Site teams, the Senior Buyer will ensure best value through strategic sourcing, cost assurance, risk management and strong supplier relationships. The role is ideal for a commercially minded procurement professional looking to have a direct impact on profitability and project outcomes.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Sourcing

• Develop and deliver sourcing strategies for construction materials, plant and services.
• Identify, evaluate and negotiate with suppliers to achieve cost, quality and service targets.
• Manage defined procurement categories in line with project programmes and budgets.
• Support value engineering initiatives to optimise material efficiency and reduce cost.

Supplier Management

• Build and maintain strong supplier relationships to drive performance and continuous improvement.
• Conduct regular supplier reviews covering cost, quality, delivery and compliance.
• Ensure all agreements are supported by appropriate contractual terms.
• Complete supplier risk assessments and implement mitigation strategies.
• Act as first point of contact for supplier queries, substitutions, pricing changes and delivery issues.
• Monitor supplier credit limits, payment terms and financial stability.
• Report supplier non‑conformance and commercial risk to the Commercial Team.
• Coordinate returns, credits and resolution of defective or surplus goods.

Cost Management

• Align procurement activity with project budgets and cash‑flow forecasts.
• Analyse market trends and pricing data to identify savings and cost efficiencies.
• Maintain procurement schedules from tender through delivery stages.
• Secure supplier and distributor rebates, ensuring agreements are auditable and current.
• Monitor KPIs covering cost, cash, quality, service and supply continuity.
• Prepare monthly materials and plant spend reports, highlighting variances and risks.

Contract Negotiation

• Lead negotiations to secure advantageous terms, discounts and rebates.
• Ensure all contracts comply with legal requirements and internal governance.
• Support the development of standard procurement templates, terms and policies.

Collaboration with Project Teams

• Work closely with Pre‑Construction, Commercial, Project and Site teams to meet programme and budget requirements.
• Provide procurement and cost advice across tender and construction phases.
• Drive compliance with procurement governance and commercial discipline.
• Support pricing exercises and early supply chain engagement.
• Attend project start‑up meetings to ensure procurement readiness.

Risk Management

• Identify commercial and supply risks and develop mitigation plans.
• Track market conditions affecting pricing, availability and programme.
• Report risks to senior stakeholders and propose solutions.

Data Analysis & Reporting

• Produce procurement reports covering category spend, supplier performance, rebates and cost variance.
• Provide accurate procurement data for monthly cost reviews.
• Maintain data integrity and reporting accuracy within Evolution M.

Processes & Systems

• Ensure compliant order placement and approval workflows aligned with procurement policy.
• Maintain accurate price lists, supplier data, POs and coding within Evolution M.
• Prepare and update preferred supplier frameworks and product ranges.
• Maintain procurement documentation including PQQs, agreements, rebate files and approvals.
• Support continuous improvement of procurement systems and reporting tools.
• Provide guidance and basic training to staff on procurement processes.
• Conduct system checks and reconciliations to ensure reporting accuracy.
• Ensure documentation complies with GDPR and document control requirements.

Operational Procurement

• Plan and coordinate the procurement and delivery of materials and plant in line with programme and cash‑flow.
• Work with Site Managers and the Commercial Team on delivery priorities and lead times.
• Ensure accurate order placement and approval through Evolution M.
• Monitor spend and flag any potential overspend or variance.
• Manage GRN processes and resolve delivery/invoice issues promptly.
• Maintain procurement workbooks with committed costs and rebate opportunities.
• Provide accurate delivery schedules and manage long‑lead items.
• Coordinate site clear‑downs, ensuring surplus material returns where possible.
• Ensure authorisation of high‑value orders and call‑offs.
• Standardise procurement approaches to improve efficiency.

Labour Procurement

• Manage relationships with preferred temporary labour agencies.
• Ensure SLAs and labour rates are agreed prior to operatives attending site.
• Raise weekly labour orders based on timesheets and approved rates.
• Ensure subcontractors have valid insurances and completed PQQs.
• Monitor compliance with terms, rates and documentation.

SHE Responsibilities

• Support procurement of SHEQ‑related services.
• Align purchasing activity with SHEQ, sustainability and ISO standards.
• Contribute to waste reduction and sustainable sourcing initiatives.

Experience, Knowledge & Skills

Essential

• Demonstrable experience in construction procurement.
• Track record managing procurement and commercial processes across multiple projects.
• Strong understanding of materials, supply chain performance and contract terms.
• Experience supporting commercial reporting and cost analysis.
• Excellent negotiation, communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Strong commercial acumen and analytical capability.
• High attention to detail and accuracy.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and procurement software (e.g., Evolution M).

Desirable

• Procurement or supply chain certification (e.g., CIPS).
• Experience with rebate management, contract negotiation or commercial reporting.
• Knowledge of NEC/JCT contracts and their procurement implications.
• Experience supporting audits, governance or continuous improvement activities.
• Understanding of sustainability, ethical sourcing, anti‑bribery and modern slavery compliance.

Decision‑Making Capability

• Confident making purchasing decisions within delegated authority.
• Ability to balance cost, quality, risk and programme.
• Skilled in using data to support commercial judgement.
• Capable of influencing senior stakeholders and presenting evidence‑based recommendations.

Personal Attributes

• Strong team player with the ability to work independently.
• Professional, proactive and solution‑focused.
• Calm and adaptable under pressure.
• Commercially astute with a collaborative mindset.
• A positive influencer who promotes continuous improvement and high standards.