Senior Buyer

VolkerWessels UK; Preston; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Private medical care

Pension

Life Assurance

Cycle to Work

Birthday leave

Training and development opportunities

Job summary

VolkerStevin, part of VolkerWessels UK, seeks a Senior Buyer to lead procurement for major civil engineering projects. You will drive procurement strategies, manage supplier and subcontractor relationships, and ensure governance across tender and delivery phases.

The role requires strong negotiation, stakeholder management and a solid understanding of construction contracts, with opportunities to influence value improvement and project outcomes.

Qualifications

• Procurement experience within construction, civil engineering or infrastructure sectors.
• CIPS qualification or working towards.
• Strong knowledge of subcontract procurement and supplier management.

Responsibilities

• Develop project bid lists and due diligence on suppliers/subcontractors.
• Create and manage procurement strategies and schedules with project teams.
• Lead procurement for subcontract and material packages from enquiry to award.
• Negotiate with suppliers and subcontractors and chair supplier meetings.
• Ensure compliance with procurement procedures and governance.

Skills

Procurement experience

Subcontract procurement

Supplier management

Commercial negotiations

Stakeholder management

Excel / MS Office

Education

CIPS qualification

Tools

Microsoft Office (Excel)

Job description

Senior Buyer

Part of the VolkerWessels UK Group, VolkerStevin is an industry‑leading civil engineering business, providing complex and innovative engineering solutions across a wide range of sectors including maritime, flood risk management, defence, energy, water and regeneration. Collaborating with, and drawing on the specialist skills of the group’s business units we deliver a truly integrated, multidisciplinary service.

VolkerStevin is one of the UK's leading civil engineering and infrastructure specialists, delivering major projects across the water, energy and transportation sectors. We are looking for an experienced Senior Buyer to join our Procurement team and play a key role in supporting the delivery of our United Utilities Framework.

The Role

As Senior Buyer, you will lead procurement activities across tender and project delivery phases, ensuring effective supply chain engagement, robust governance, and commercial excellence. Working closely with project teams, suppliers and subcontractors, you will help deliver projects safely, efficiently and cost effectively.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop project bid lists and complete due diligence on suppliers and subcontractors.
• Create and manage procurement strategies and schedules alongside project teams.
• Lead procurement activities for subcontract and material packages from enquiry through to award.
• Manage quotation returns, undertake value analysis, and provide award recommendations.
• Lead commercial negotiations with suppliers and subcontractors.
• Arrange and chair supplier meetings, tender reviews and pre‑let meetings.
• Ensure compliance with company procurement procedures and governance requirements.
• Chair regular procurement review meetings and monitor project procurement progress.
• Support project teams with supplier performance management and dispute resolution.Manage supplier and subcontractor onboarding, including due diligence requirements.
• Build and maintain strong supply chain relationships while identifying opportunities for innovation and improved value.
• Support supplier performance reviews, lessons learned and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Maintain accurate procurement documentation and records.

About You

• Procurement experience within the construction, civil engineering or infrastructure sectors.
• CIPS qualified or working towards a professional CIPS qualification.
• Strong knowledge of subcontract procurement, supplier management and commercial negotiations.
• Good understanding of construction contracts, trades and materials.
• Excellent communication, negotiation and stakeholder management skills.
• Strong commercial awareness and analytical capability.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office applications including Excel, Word and Teams.
• Able to work independently, prioritise workloads and meet deadlines in a fast‑paced environment.

Why work with us?

VolkerStevin is under the umbrella of VolkerWessels UK which is a multidisciplinary contractor that delivers innovative engineering solutions across the civil engineering and construction sectors including rail, highways, airport, marine, energy, water, and environmental infrastructure.

By utilising the specialist skills of each business unit within VolkerWessels UK, VolkerStevin are able to ensure our staff provide unrivalled resources and expertise to our clients.

We offer competitive rewards and benefits, recognising the value we place on our employees.

We Offer a Range Of Benefits, Including

• Competitive salary
• Competitive annual leave and an additional day off on your birthday
• Option to buy additional annual leave
• Private medical care
• Pension
• Life Assurance
• Cycle to Work scheme
• Shopping and restaurants vouchers, rewards, and discounts
• Training and development opportunities-comprehensive skills-based training
• Family friendly polices including enhanced maternity benefits
• Employee Assistance
• Flexible working opportunities programme
• Mental health, physical health, and financial support
• 24/7 Virtual GP service

Fairness, inclusion and respect

We believe in pushing boundaries in the pursuit of fairness, inclusion and respect. So, our teams can be comfortable that, whatever their background, VolkerWessels UK is a place where they can be themselves and thrive.

Note For Recruitment Agencies

Our preference is to hire directly, and we will reach out to our Preferred Supplier List (PSL) agencies if this particular role qualifies for release.

We kindly request that you refrain from sending speculative CVs. In the event of speculative CV submissions, no fees will be applicable, and we kindly ask that all inquiries to be directed to [e-mail]

VolkerWessels UK is committed to maintaining healthy, safe and productive working conditions for its entire staff and therefore a drugs & alcohol screening is mandatory for all.