Senior Buyer

Millbank Holdings; Sefton; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A construction project management company is seeking a Senior Buyer to manage the procurement lifecycle for a major project in Liverpool. The successful candidate will negotiate contracts, engage suppliers, and ensure project compliance and cost effectiveness. Candidates should possess strong commercial acumen, excellent negotiation skills, and relevant qualifications such as CIPS Level 4 or higher. This contract role lasts 6 months and offers an opportunity to contribute to sustainability initiatives within the industry.

Qualifications

• Educated to degree level or pursuing professional certification.
• Experience in design, engineering and construction environments.
• Strong technical knowledge of construction products.

Responsibilities

• Take ownership of sourcing and purchasing construction materials.
• Manage tender processes and negotiate commercial terms.
• Ensure compliance with contract risk allocation and change control.

Skills

Negotiating skills

Commercial acumen

Supplier engagement

Attention to detail

Interpersonal skills

Education

CIPS Level 4 or higher

Degree holder in relevant field

Tools

Office 365

SharePoint

Excel

Job description

Job Title Senior Buyer

Our Ref13295

Employment Type ContractThis role has been deemed outside IR35

Duration 6-Months

Location : Liverpool

Can you take full commercial ownership of high-value procurement packages and confidently negotiate contracts that balance cost, risk, performance, and sustainability on a major construction project?

Do you thrive in complex, multi-disciplinary EPCM environments where your procurement decisions directly influence programme delivery, supplier performance, and long-term project value?

Are you motivated by playing a hands-on role in the transition to a low-carbon economy using your commercial expertise to build strong, ethical supply chains that deliver real impact?

Ambition

Our client’s ambition is to lead the way in engineering a sustainable world through the transition to a low carbon economy.

Values

They guide the way we carry out our everyday activities to achieve our ambition :

• Responsibility – Committed to ethical and responsible actions
• Innovation – Innovation to create sustainable value
• Unrivalled expertise – Delivering a world class service
• Inclusivity – Working together with mutual respect
• Sustainability – Awareness at every opportunity

Description

Reporting to the Project Contract & Procurement Manager, you will play a key role in delivering the end-to-end procurement Lifecyle in alignment with the Project Contract & Procurement Strategy.

In this Senior position, you will take ownership of sourcing and purchasing materials, equipment and services critical to the successful delivery of our major construction project in Liverpool.

You will apply strong commerical acumen, robust contract management capability, and effective supplier engagement to ensure best valeu outcomes, cost control, compliance and risk mitigation across all procurement activities.

Key accountability areas will include preparing and managing tender processes (up to agreed designated authority levels), negotiating commercial terms, administering contract agreements, and actively managing supplier performance throughout the contract lifecycle.

This role requires close coordination with the Project Procurement & Contracts Manager, Project Manager and Cost Engineer to support effective delivery of our EPCM Services.

Key Responsibilities

Ensuring value for money, performance and alignment with project objectives at all stages of the project.

Source and procure construction materials, plant and subcontracted services in line with project specifications.

Obtain and evaluate quotes from multiple suppliers to ensure competitive pricing and terms.

Build and maintain strong working relationships with suppliers and subcontractors.

Monitor supplier performance to ensure timely delivery, quality compliance and adherence to contractual obligations.

Work with all relevant parties (project manager, multi-disciplinary engineering leads, project procurement & contracts manager and cost engineer) to forecast material needs based on construction timelines.

Support budget preparation by providing accurate material costs and pricing data.

Undertaking the procurement and contract delivery process from marketing engagement through to RFQ / ITT development, through down selection, contract award, contract mobilisation and delivery to completion. Ensuring all relevant parties adhere to the process.

Supporting the Project Procurement & Contracts Manager with ensuring the delivery of effective supplier engagements, both complex forms of contract and standard contracts.

Supporting contract variations, modifications and revised commercial arrangements.

Ensure contracts meet technical, regulatory and financial requirements.

Ensures all contract correspondence, approvals, change logs and certificates (insurance, bonds, warranties, etc) are in place and up to date.

Work with the Cost Engineer to monitor contract performance, track milestones, deliverables, invoices, contracts compliance, schedule adherence and reporting obligations.

Ensure compliance with contract risk allocation, cost tracking and change control procedures.

Monitor supplier performance and ensure value for money, quality and programme milestones are achieved.

Ensuring client process / governance is observed and taken account of in the overall programme.

Collaborating with the relevant parties to ascertain fully defined packages of work, approved by the technical authorities and relevant project manager. Including ascertaining and informing programme schedules from supplier lead-time and programme response to best meet the project requirements.

Management and contribution to all relevant documentation, including, project register, procurement strategy, sourcing and contract management plan and all supporting trackers.

Management of supply chain risks and opportunities (R&O)

Assist with contract close-out ensuring all deliverables are completed, claims settled and all contractual requirements are satisfied before final payment.

Minimum Requirements – Education and Experience

Ideally educated to degree level or holding (or working towards) a professional certification from a recognised institution such as CIPS, ACE or CICES – with CIPS Level 4 as a minimum and Level 5 preferred.

Experience of working in a design, engineering and construction environment at FEED and PMC / EPC(M) phases of chemical / process plant projects.

Strong technical knowledge of construction products, plant, and systems.

Experience of working in multi-discipline teams in a construction environment.

Clear and concise communication in both written and verbal form with excellent people management and interpersonal skills

Excellent negotiating and influencing skills at senior management level.

The ability to provide authoritative guidance and challenge (where necessary).

Cross-functional collaboration

Stakeholder engagement and management, understanding both internal and external expectations.

Excellent attention to detail and accuracy

Working knowledge of Office 365 including One Drive and SharePoint with proficient use of Word and Excel

Eligible to live and work in the UK.

Desirable

Knowledge of food industry.

Knowledge and experience of main forms of contract (NEC3 or NEC4, IChemE, FIDIC).

Knowledge and experience of project contract management during the construction phase.

Company Wide Aspects

Adhere toBusiness Management System.

Align with and promote Company Values and Vision

Millbank Holdings Ltd is an equal opportunities employer committed to creating an inclusive and diverse workforce. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified individuals, regardless of background, and encourage candidates from underrepresented groups to apply.

We are proud to be a member of the Disability Confident Scheme, and we are committed to ensuring an accessible and supportive recruitment process for everyone. If you require any adjustments at any stage, please let us know and we’ll do our best to accommodate.

Millbank operates as both an Employment Agency and an Employment Business.