Senior Subcontract Buyer

Procurement Heads; Preston; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

Procurement Heads is seeking a Senior Subcontract Buyer in Preston, UK, to manage the procurement of NEC subcontract packages for an industry-leading civil engineering organization. In this role, you will ensure compliance, value, and supply chain performance across live projects and tenders. Responsibilities include establishing procurement controls, negotiating with subcontractors, and collaborating with project teams. Strong commercial awareness and proven experience in civil engineering procurement are essential for this position.

Qualifications

• Proven experience procuring NEC subcontract and materials packages within civil engineering or construction.
• Ability to operate collaboratively within multi-disciplinary project teams.
• Highly organised, detail-focused and able to manage multiple workstreams.

Responsibilities

• Establishing, maintaining and improving effective procurement controls.
• Developing subcontractor bid lists and conducting full due diligence.
• Collaborating with project teams to develop procurement strategies.
• Leading commercial negotiations with subcontractors and suppliers.
• Implementing supply chain agreements.

Skills

Procuring NEC subcontract and materials packages

Strong commercial awareness

Negotiation skills

Stakeholder management

Ability to operate collaboratively

Highly organised

Detail-focused

Job description

Procurement Heads have partnered with an industry leading civil engineering organisation to recruit a Senior Subcontract Buyer.

Reporting to the Procurement Manager, you will be responsible for managing the procurement of NEC subcontract packages and materials across live projects and tenders, ensuring best value, compliance, and strong supply‑chain performance.

You will be joining a multidisciplinary contractor delivering innovative engineering solutions across sectors including rail, highways, aviation, marine, energy, water and environmental infrastructure.

As Senior Subcontract Buyer your key responsibilities will be:

• Establishing, maintaining and improving effective procurement controls in line with company policy and business objectives
• Developing subcontractor bid lists and undertake full due diligence for tender and project procurement packages
• Collaborating with Project Teams to develop procurement strategies, identifying and managing risk and opportunity
• Preparing, managing and maintaining procurement schedules aligned to project programmes
• Leading commercial negotiations with subcontractors and suppliers
• Ensure governance compliance, correct documentation usage and audit readiness
• Chair regular Project Procurement Reviews, tracking programme dates, tender allowances, order values and actions
• Implementing supply chain agreements, including Mini Frameworks and Preferred Supplier Agreements

Skills and experience required:

• Proven experience procuring NEC subcontract and materials packages within civil engineering or construction
• Strong commercial awareness, negotiation skills and stakeholder management
• Ability to operate collaboratively within multi‑disciplinary project teams
• Highly organised, detail‑focused and able to manage multiple workstreams