Senior Buyer

John Sisk & Son Ltd; Dublin; On-site; EUR 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

26 days annual leave

Pension scheme

Health & wellbeing supports

Career development opportunities

Job summary

John Sisk & Son Ltd is seeking a Senior Buyer for construction plant and equipment to manage supplier negotiations, quotations and lifecycle from enquiry to off‑hire. The role supports project teams with sourcing, cost control and compliance across EU frameworks.

Dutch knowledge is advantageous and COINS/ERP experience is essential. The position requires strong procurement discipline, attention to safety and environmental requirements, and the ability to drive best-value outcomes for

Qualifications

• Minimum five years' procurement or buying experience in plant/equipment.
• Strong knowledge of plant hire and purchase, supplier markets, commercial terms.
• Proven ability to analyse quotations, negotiate rates and agreements.
• Experience with equipment certification, inspection, health and safety and environmental requirements.
• Proficient in COINS or similar ERP system and advanced Excel.
• Fluent English; Dutch language skills are advantageous.
• CIPS qualification or working towards.

Responsibilities

• Servicing requisitions for purchase and hire of construction plant, equipment, attachments and services.
• Analyse supplier quotations, prepare commercial comparisons and recommend best-value solutions.
• Manage plant hire lifecycle from enquiry to off-hire with accurate records.
• Attend procurement and project meetings and support sourcing planning.
• Agree and maintain supplier rates and frameworks with Supply Chain teams.
• Ensure supplier onboarding, certification and compliance before mobilisation.
• Monitor supplier performance, delivery, and invoice accuracy; coordinate actions.
• Identify procurement opportunities for CAPEX plant and low-emission solutions.
• Provide market intelligence to project and work-winning teams.
• Resolve invoice queries and maintain procurement records in ERP.

Skills

Procurement experience

Plant hire knowledge

Quotations analysis

Negotiation

Supplier management

COINS / ERP proficiency

Excel skills

Fluent English

Education

CIPS qualification

Tools

COINS

ERP systems

Excel

Job description

Overview

At Sisk, we create places and infrastructure that shape how people live, work and connect – now and for future generations. As a family‑owned, international construction and engineering group, we offer meaningful careers across building, infrastructure, r ail, ener gy and off‑site manufacturing throughout Ireland, the UK and Europe, where people are supported to grow, make an impact and be part of positive change.

Undertake and manage the procurement and hire of construction plant, equipment and associated services for projects. Provide safe, compliant, commercially competitive and timely solutions, and support tender and project teams with quotations, supply‑chain options and market intelligence.

This role will initially be based in Amsterdam for the duration of the project (approximately 4 years), candidates must have Senior Buyer experience in the plant and equipment sector.

Responsibilities

• Servicing allocated requisitions for the purchase and hire of construction plant, equipment, attachments and associated services in accordance with Sisk procedures and project programmes.
• Obtain, analyse and negotiate supplier quotations; prepare commercial comparisons and recommend best‑value solutions considering rates, transport, mobilisation, maintenance, fuel or energy, utilisation, insurance, damage and off‑hire costs.
• Manage the plant hire lifecycle from enquiry and order through delivery, on‑hire, extensions, transfers and off‑hire, maintaining accurate records and ensuring timely returns.
• Attend procurement & project meetings and support the project teams with sourcing, planning, expediting plant requirements.
• Agree and maintain supplier rates, frameworks and agreements in liaison with the Supply Chain and Plant Commercial teams; maximise use of preferred agreements and rebate opportunities.
• Liaise with Supply Chain & Ops team with regards to supplier onboarding, equipment certification, inspection records, operator requirements and project‑specific safety and environmental compliance before mobilisation.
• Monitor supplier performance, plant availability, delivery, service response, breakdowns and invoice accuracy; coordinate review meetings and corrective actions.
• Identify procurement opportunities to CAPEX plant, alternative equipment and sustainable or low‑emission plant solutions that improve cost, programme and project outcomes.
• Provide current market intelligence on rates, availability, lead times, innovation and supply‑chain capacity to project and work‑winning teams.
• Resolve invoice and account queries and maintain procurement trackers, savings, commitments, purchase orders and supporting records in COINS or the relevant ERP system.

Experience

• Minimum five years' procurement or buying experience, preferably involving construction plant, equipment hire or a related technical category.
• Strong knowledge of plant hire and purchase categories, supplier markets, commercial terms, logistics and whole‑life cost considerations.
• Proven ability to analyse quotations, negotiate rates and agreements, and manage suppliers against cost, service, safety and programme requirements.
• Working knowledge of equipment certification, inspection, health and safety and environmental requirements applicable in the Netherlands and EU.
• Commercially astute, highly organised and able to manage multiple urgent requisitions and competing project deadlines.
• Effective communicator and team player, able to work with project, site, commercial, finance, fleet and supplier teams.
• Proficient in COINS or a similar ERP system and advanced Excel.
• CIPS qualified, working towards CIPS, or equivalent relevant experience.
• Fluent English required; Dutch language skills are advantageous.

Qualifications

• Advanced negotiation and supplier relationship management.
• Construction plant and equipment technical knowledge.
• Plant hire, purchase and commercial terms.
• Netherlands and EU plant safety, certification and environmental compliance.
• Sustainable procurement and low‑emission plant solutions.
• COINS / ERP systems and procurement data analysis.

What We Offer

• Competitive salary
• 26 days annual leave
• Pension scheme
• Comprehensive health, wellbeing and lifestyle supports
• Career development opportunities
• And much more as part of our Total Rewards programme

Our People & Recruitment Commitment

At Sisk, our people are at the heart of everything we do. We offer the opportunity to work with purpose, grow a career without limits and be part of a supportive, collaborative team.

All vacancies are managed directly by our Internal Recruitment Team. Unsolicited CVs or speculative contact from unapproved agencies are not accepted, and no fees will be payable.

Equity, Inclusion & Accessibility

We are an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications from all qualified candidates regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, disability, age, sexual orientation, religion, family status or any other protected characteristic. We are committed to providing reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process to support all candidates.

Encouraging All Talent to Apply

We understand that the confidence gap or imposter syndrome can discourage great people from applying. Even if you don’t meet every requirement, we encourage you to express your interest — your skills, experience and potential are what matter.

Compliance & Transparency

All recruitment materials are designed to meet or exceed legal and regulatory requirements, including the Irish and UK Equality Acts and the EU Pay Transparency Directive, ensuring fairness, transparency and equal access for every applicant.