Purchasing Manager

KD Group (Engineering Contractors); Connacht; On-site; EUR 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

KD Group in Ireland is seeking an experienced Purchasing Manager to oversee procurement, negotiation and scheduling of materials across multiple projects. You will work with Quantity Surveyors, Contracts Managers and site teams to secure best value and on-time delivery.

The role focuses on commercially aware procurement, cost control, supplier relationships and ensuring adherence to budgets and company procedures across the Group.

Qualifications

• Experience in purchasing, procurement or buying across construction/mechanical sectors.
• Strong negotiation and supplier-management skills.
• Commercial awareness with ability to drive cost savings and efficiencies.
• Experience working with QS, Contracts Managers and site teams.

Responsibilities

• Procure construction and mechanical materials in line with programmes, specs and budgets.
• Evaluate supplier quotations to secure best quality, service and value.
• Negotiate pricing, terms and delivery schedules with suppliers and manufacturers.
• Coordinate with QS, Contracts Managers and project teams on requirements and deadlines.
• Ensure purchases are raised, approved and controlled per budgets and procedures.
• Monitor expenditure and identify opportunities for cost savings and efficiencies.
• Prepare purchasing, cost and budget variance reports for finance teams.
• Maintain supplier records and current pricing information.
• Develop supplier relationships to support competitive pricing and timely delivery.
• Monitor supplier performance for price, quality and reliability.
• Support resolution of returns, shortages, damaged goods and invoice queries.
• Manage stock levels and reordering of designated product lines.
• Contribute to development and implementation of the Group procurement strategy.
• Follow health, safety and security requirements and other company policies.

Skills

Procurement

Negotiation

Cost control

Multi-project management

Excel

Supplier management

Communication

Organisational skills

Tools

MS Excel

Job description

Established in 2003 and headquartered in Castlebar, Co. Mayo, KD Group is a leading Irish mechanical engineering contractor. We deliver high-performance engineering solutions across a diverse range of sectors, including healthcare, pharmaceutical, commercial, hotel and leisure, high-end residential, public, industrial, logistics, food, data centres, and energy.

We have built a strong reputation for quality, safety and innovation. KD Group is certified to ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and ISO 45001 standards, and we integrate Building Information Modelling (BIM) and off-site prefabrication throughout our projects.

At KD Group, we provide an environment in which employees have the freedom and support to develop their full potential. Our work is guided by our core values of safety and well-being, innovation, integrity, collaboration, passion and excellence.

The Role:

KD Group is seeking an experienced Purchasing Manager to oversee the procurement, negotiation and scheduling of materials across multiple projects.

The successful candidate will have previous experience in purchasing, procurement or buying, ideally within the construction, mechanical engineering, builders' merchant or trade-counter sectors. They will work closely with Quantity Surveyors, Contracts Managers and site teams to ensure that materials are procured at the best available value and delivered accurately and on schedule.

This is an excellent opportunity for a commercially aware and proactive procurement professional to contribute to the development of a consistent, efficient Group-wide procurement strategy.

Main Duties and Responsibilities:

The main duties and responsibilities of the Purchasing Manager are outlined as follows:

• Procure construction and mechanical materials in line with project programmes, specifications and budgets.
• Obtain, evaluate and compare supplier quotations to secure the best combination of quality, service and value.
• Negotiate pricing, contractual terms and delivery schedules with suppliers and manufacturers.
• Work closely with Quantity Surveyors, Contracts Managers and project teams to review requirements, quantities, specifications and procurement schedules, identifying key buying deadlines and long-lead items at an early stage.
• Liaise with Contracts Managers and site teams to ensure materials are delivered accurately and on time, escalating procurement risks that may affect project programme, cost or delivery.
• Ensure purchase orders are raised, approved and controlled in line with project budgets, authorisation requirements and company procedures.
• Monitor material expenditure and identify opportunities for cost savings and operational efficiencies.
• Prepare purchasing, cost-variance and budget-variance reports for Quantity Surveyors and finance teams.
• Maintain accurate purchasing records, supplier details and current pricing information.
• Build and maintain effective supplier relationships to support competitive pricing, reliable delivery and responsive service across projects.
• Develop preferred supplier arrangements, agreed rates and framework terms to improve consistency and value across the Group.
• Monitor supplier performance in relation to price, quality, delivery reliability, communication and aftersales support.
• Support the resolution of material returns, shortages, damaged goods, credit notes and supplier invoice queries where required.
• Manage stock levels and the reordering of designated product lines, where required.
• Support the development and consistent implementation of the Group procurement strategy, including standardised templates, reporting processes, purchasing controls and procurement procedures.
• Follow all company policies and procedures, including health, safety and security requirements.
• Undertake other reasonable duties required by the company.

Knowledge, Skills and Experience:

The successful candidate should ideally have:

• Previous experience as a Construction Buyer, Purchasing Officer, Procurement Manager or in a similar purchasing role.
• Experience within construction, mechanical engineering, building supplies, a builders' merchant or a related industry.
• Strong knowledge of building materials, mechanical products and construction-related requirements.
• Experience working with Quantity Surveyors, Contracts Managers and site-based teams.
• A sound understanding of material quantities, specifications and project requirements.
• Strong negotiation and supplier-management skills.
• Commercial awareness and a proactive, solution-focused approach.
• Excellent organisational, communication and attention-to-detail skills.
• The ability to manage multiple projects, priorities and deadlines simultaneously.
• Strong Microsoft Office skills, particularly in Excel.
• Experience preparing purchasing, cost and variance reports.