Senior Buyer

Costain; Southampton; Hybrid; GBP 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading construction firm is seeking a Senior Buyer for their Southern Water Framework based in Southampton. Responsibilities include managing procurement processes, leading supplier negotiations, and ensuring supply chain efficiency. Applicants should have extensive knowledge of materials and strong relationship-building skills. This role offers hybrid working options and the potential for professional growth.

Qualifications

• Extensive technical knowledge of materials and plant and understanding of supplier base.
• Confident in communicating and influencing stakeholders.
• Ability to prioritize workload and work to deadlines.
• Strong IT skills including working knowledge of commercial systems.

Responsibilities

• Manage supply chain activities for goods and services.
• Evaluate requisitions and obtain market value.
• Prepare tender packages with stakeholders.
• Negotiate commercial terms with suppliers.

Skills

Technical knowledge of materials and plant

Building relationships with stakeholders

Analytical and problem-solving skills

Networking

Strong IT skills

Education

Relevant qualification such as NVQ Level 4 or higher

Tools

IFS platform

Job description

At CMDP+ we believe that people matter. We know that to build successful, creative teams we need a diverse workforce that can deliver new innovative ways of thinking. We provide an environment where you will have the freedom to develop and grow to your full potential.

CMDP+ is looking to strengthen their Procurement team with a Senior Buyer for our Southern Water Framework. MWH Treatment and Costain Group are part of the CMDP+ joint venture that will deliver a range of construction schemes to maintain and improve Southern Water's water supply and wastewater treatment works within the South and Southeast regions.

The Joint Venture has been set up specifically to execute the 5-year (2025 - 2030) AMP8 capital delivery framework. We will be delivering a programme of works up to £1bn over the 5-year period consisting of both heavy civil engineering and mechanical and electrical activities.

Based at the Testwood project office with hybrid working options you will be responsible for providing procurement and supply chain activities in line with company and client policies and procedures.

The Senior Buyer is a pivotal role within the Framework Delivery team, responsible for leading in the management of an efficient material purchasing process on the project, negotiating, and placing of material, equipment, and plant hire orders against operational requisitions. The role may include some people management responsibility, and may take responsibility for a specific project or hold a larger remit in terms of purchasing responsibility

Responsibilities

You will report directly to the Procurement & Supply Chain Manager and the responsibilities will include:

• Efficient & effective day-to-day management of supply chain in support of Site requirements for goods and services.
• Evaluation of requisitions, ensuring best market value is obtained, processing of requested materials and plant by Purchase Orders via the IFS platform.
• Embed and utilise the well-established, procurement Frameworks & Subcontracts to providing end-to-end Supply Chain advice, sourcing, supply assurance, delivery, supply chain management and tasking against requirements.
• Collaboratively develop/prepare and issue tender packages with key stakeholders to ensure alignment of targets, improve supplier performance, and implement continuous improvement plans.
• Check and prepare subcontract agreements, issuing to subcontractors via the DocuSign platform and maintaining distribution and execution records.
• Take ownership for the negotiation of commercial terms, conditions and levels of service (inc KPI's) with suppliers.
• Collaborate with peers to develop and enhance value, systems, process, and best practice sharing to help CMDP+ achieve best in class performance and bring consistency to sourcing activities
• Take ownership/maintain and enhance IFS database and other software and processes. Develop in-depth knowledge of IFS and work towards becoming the Procurement owner and champion for the system.
• Establish and develop excellent working relationship with the Client; Customers; Suppliers, internal functions and other relevant external bodies.

Knowledge, Skills, and Experience

Essential

• Extensive technical knowledge of materials and plant and an excellent understanding of the supplier base
• Confident in communicating, influencing and building relationships with cross functional colleagues, suppliers and business stakeholders.
• Networking and business influence
• Ability to prioritise workload and work to deadlines
• Professional and pleasant manner in dealing with internal and external customers
• Strong IT skills, including working knowledge of computer systems within the commercial environment
• Mentor and coach, the Project Buyer to enhance their career and professional development
• Highly skilled at building and maintaining effective and productive relationships with key stakeholders and suppliers
• Commercially and financially aware
• Analytical, numerically astute with strong proven problem-solving abilities
• Project and people management experience

Qualifications

Desirable

• A relevant qualification such as NVQ Level 4 or higher

We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates. Costain is a Disability Confident employer.