Senior Buyer

Barhale Ltd; Walsall; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Company Pension

Life Assurance

Private Medical

25 days annual leave plus holidays

Employee Assistance Programme

Salary sacrifice benefits

Company car/van allowance

Job summary

Barhale Ltd is seeking a Senior Buyer to lead strategic and operational sourcing of Materials and Services for water, transport, energy, and infrastructure projects. You will work with procurement and project teams to source, negotiate, and order items, ensuring value, quality, and timeliness.

The role requires detailed market insight, supplier relationship skills, and the ability to drive KPI-based improvements across multiple site teams in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• Experience purchasing in construction/civil engineering environments.
• Strong supplier negotiation and cost-saving track record.
• Ability to interpret contracts and provide commercial input.

Responsibilities

• Represent Procurement during Tender/PreStart meetings and CPD sessions.
• Collaborate with project teams to source materials and services across sectors.
• Negotiate contracts and pricing with suppliers to balance cost and quality.
• Maintain procurement schedules and control costs within budgets.
• Lead and mentor direct reports within the procurement team.
• Develop supplier performance metrics and ensure compliance with contracts.

Skills

Purchasing experience

Negotiation

Supplier relationship management

Analytical skills

Communication skills

UK driving licence

IT literate / MS Office

Attention to detail

Education

ONC/HNC/HND/Degree in engineering or business

CIPS or IPS qualification or working towards

Tools

Microsoft Office

Purchase order systems / ERP

Job description

Barhale is a business founded on family values, having been established by our Chairman, Dennis Curran, in 1980. We are one of the largest privately owned civil engineering and infrastructure specialists in the UK, with over 40 years of experience in providing design, civil engineering and maintenance services working across multiple sectors, including:

• Water


• Transport


• Energy

We operate as a tier one partner for blue chip, regulated and private clients, working as part of large frameworks, joint ventures and alliances, as well as on individual standalone projects, developing long-term relationships based on delivering to the Barhale values which have been integral to our business since their inception in 1985.

Our direct delivery model is at the core of everything we do, as we believe that people are our greatest asset. Therefore, we robustly source, train and retain all our own frontline delivery teams as well as management and support services. We employ over 1,200 employees nationwide.

We possess a range of specialist skills to support our civil engineering and infrastructure activities, including:

• MEICA


• Temporary and permanent design


• Steel‑fabrication


• Signs (design and fabrication)


• Health & safety equipment and products, including PPE

Company Website:

Company Showcase Video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XFqsoclCUZA

Why join Barhale?

• As Gold Investors in People, we are committed to a high standard of people practices, creating an inclusive environment and ensuring cultural alignment to business strategy, ethos and philosophies.


• Job security, long‑term secured work through various frameworks and large infrastructure schemes


• A broad range of civil engineering, mechanical and electrical schemes across some of the UK’s largest infrastructure projects and clients


• Strong career progression as demonstrated by our track record in promoting from within, as we believe this is a key driver of our success

Senior Buyer

The Role

As a Senior Buyer you will be responsible for the Strategic and Operational sourcing, negotiating, and ordering of Materials and Services essential for the delivery of our projects, in Water, Transport, Energy and the Built Environment. You will collaborate with your direct counterparts and other members of the procurement team, collectively working to provide best‑in‑class service for our sites and offices.

Your primary responsibilities will include procurement activities both within and outside of frameworks, collaborating with internal stakeholders to understand and source their commercial and product requirements while providing reports and data to drive departmental and business KPIs.

This role requires a detail‑oriented individual with experience strategically sourcing Materials in the construction/civil engineering environment, able to manage supplier relationships effectively while maintaining the highest standards of quality and compliance. You will thrive in a fast‑paced environment, able to deliver a professional, customer‑focused service, supporting the needs of our Project & Operational teams.

Key Responsibilities

• Be responsible for representing Procurement during Tender/PreStart meetings, Collaborative Project Delivery (CPD) & Internal Stakeholder meetings


• Accountable for ensuring continuous communication with other team members to review allocated contract/project progress and address associated issues immediately.


• Strategic & Operational support:


• Collaborate with project teams to understand their procurement needs and provide timely support, ordering necessary construction materials, or related services across all operational sectors.


• Ensure that procurement activities align with project schedules and budget constraints, optimizing cost‑efficiency without compromising on safety or quality.


• Lead and mentor assigned direct reports whilst managing their performance.


• Ensuring our procurement activities align with the necessary frameworks.


• Developing strong relationships with key suppliers and category leads for both frameworks and the wider supply chain; monitoring supplier performance and compliance with contractual agreements, implementing corrective action where required.


• Negotiate contracts, terms, and pricing with suppliers to secure cost‑efficient solutions while maintaining quality and service.


• Support the development of the sustainability and social impact agenda, proactively engaging the supply chain for innovations and new sustainable products or technologies.


• Being proactive regarding market trends, product and industry developments to anticipate changes in the supply chain and adjust approach, accordingly, leading as directed by the Procurement Manager on any specific commodity or category.


• Providing guidance and support on procurement best practices, fostering a culture of continuous improvement within the procurement department.


• Working with procurement team members and project teams to review contract progress and address associated issues immediately.


• Maintaining a full knowledge and understanding of the purchasing strategy and processes to ensure a professional and auditable procurement contract is in place.


• Supporting any other procurement related activities subject to business requirements.


• Experienced in the procurement of Pipework, Valves, Aggregate, Precast & Readymix Concrete, Muckaway, Waste management and Soil Testing

Reporting duties and record keeping

• Promoting the provision of monthly spend reports, the creation of board and procurement reports to support informed decision making, taking necessary actions as identified.


• Assisting in the delivery of the department KPIs, collaboratively analysing data to identify areas for improvement and acting accordingly.


• Submitting detailed cost analysis to senior management and site teams for approval as required under company governance.


• Providing reports and data identified by the Procurement Manager relating to department and whole business requirements.


• Managing and keeping up to date project procurement schedules, controlling and monitoring costs against project and framework budgets.


• Maintenance and upkeep of order and supply chain records utilising the company’s purchase order system and procedures.

About you

• Purchasing experience, within the construction/civil engineering industry including knowledge of relevant industry regulations and standards.


• Skilled negotiator, with proven experience in establishing long term relationships and an engaged, collaborative supply chain; able to demonstrate the ability to drive cost savings and value enhancement.


• Demonstrable commercial awareness, with the ability to control and monitor budgets.


• Excellent communication and people skills, able to collaborate effectively with internal and external stakeholders.


• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills, able to demonstrate attention to detail with a proactive approach.


• A full UK driving license


• IT literate, proficient in the use of Microsoft Office


• Experience in the water sector with a keen understanding of associated Goods and Services.


• CIPS or equivalent or working towards


• Industry‑related qualifications, and could include:


• Professional qualification e.g Institute of Supply Chain Management (IoSCM), Institute of Procurement and Supply (IPS)


• ONC/HNC/HND/Degree in associated disciplines e.g. engineering or business


• Proficient in the use of presentation software, with the ability to present to Senior Internal Stakeholders

Caring and investing in you

Our values have been embedded at Barhale for over 40 years, and they are our guiding principles regarding how we care and invest in people. Our values are our commitment to being a people‑centric company.

As a Gold Investors in People company and a Sunday Times 100 Best Company to Work For, we are committed to investing in people. We are passionate about creating a working environment where people are supported throughout their careers, where people can enjoy security and be part of a company that cares about them.

From the moment you join us, your well-being and career aspirations will be supported by.

• Company Pension


• Life Assurance


• Private Medical


• 25 days of annual leave in addition to 8 public bank holidays and loyalty days


• Employee Assistance Programme to support your mental, physiological and financial wellbeing


• Flexible benefits via salary sacrifice


• Company car/green car scheme/car allowance/Van (dependent on position)


• Leadership & management training and coaching


• Regular line management engagement and appraisal to support your career progression


• Development supported by internal and externally delivered training