Senior Buyer – Construction, Plant & Logistics

The Recruitment Pro; Johannesburg; On-site; ZAR 550,000 - 900,000; Full time

Job summary

The Recruitment Pro is seeking a Buyer – Construction, Plant & Logistics to procure construction materials, plant and services, while coordinating logistics to ensure on-time delivery to sites. The role focuses on achieving cost efficiency by sourcing below tender rates and managing plant assets across multiple sites.

Applicants should have 5–8 years of procurement within construction, plus experience in plant management and logistics.

Qualifications

• 5–8 years buying/procurement experience within the construction or civil engineering industry (essential)
• Proven experience managing plant, equipment, and construction logistics (essential)
• Experience working on live construction sites (essential)
• BBBEE supplier sourcing experience (advantageous)

Responsibilities

• Source, negotiate, and procure construction materials, consumables, plant, equipment, and subcontracted services
• Obtain competitive quotations and evaluate suppliers on cost, quality, delivery, and compliance
• Issue purchase orders in line with company procedures and project budgets
• Ensure uninterrupted supply of materials to construction sites to avoid project delays
• Maintain accurate procurement records and update BuildSmart or relevant procurement systems
• Manage the company's owned and hired plant and equipment fleet
• Coordinate plant allocation, mobilisation, demobilisation, and utilisation across sites
• Track plant availability, usage, maintenance schedules, and costs
• Liaise with plant hire companies for short and long-term rental requirements
• Support plant cost recovery, hire charges, and internal allocation reporting
• Plan and coordinate transportation of materials, plant, and equipment to and from sites
• Schedule deliveries in line with site programmes and construction milestones
• Manage third-party transporters and in-house logistics resources
• Optimise logistics costs through route planning, consolidated loads, and supplier coordination
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with suppliers, plant hire companies, and transport providers
• Source and support local and BBBEE-compliant suppliers where required
• Liaise with site managers, quantity surveyors, and finance teams
• Conduct supplier performance reviews and resolve disputes or claims
• Monitor procurement, plant, and logistics costs against budgets
• Identify cost-saving opportunities without compromising quality or programme
• Assist with pricing, benchmarking, and supplier comparisons
• Support audits and commercial reporting as required
• Ensure procurement and plant activities comply with company policies, contractual obligations, and industry standards
• Maintain accurate documentation for audits and project close-out

Skills

Strong negotiation and commercial ac

ERP systems BuildSmart SAP Sage CCS MS

Construction materials plant logistics

Cost control budgeting

Supplier & stakeholder management

Problem analysis & resolution

Attention to detail

Multi-project management

Independent work

Clear communication

Education

Diploma or Degree in Supply Chain Management, Procurement, Logistics, Construction Management

CIPS qualification or working towards CIPS

Tools

BuildSmart

SAP

Sage

CCS

MS Excel

Job description

Role Overview

The Buyer – Construction, Plant & Logistics is responsible for procuring materials, plant, equipment, and services for construction projects, while managing company plant assets and coordinating logistics to ensure efficient, cost-effective, and timeous delivery to sites.

The overarching objective is to procure materials and services at rates below the awarded tender BOQ in order to maximise gross profit percentage across the full lifecycle of each project.

Reporting Structure

Reports to: Commercial Manager – Johannesburg

Second level: Managing Director – Johannesburg

Subordinates: Various

Key Responsibilities

Procurement & Buying (Primary – 60%)

• Source, negotiate, and procure construction materials, consumables, plant, equipment, and subcontracted services
• Obtain competitive quotations and evaluate suppliers on cost, quality, delivery, and compliance
• Issue purchase orders in line with company procedures and project budgets
• Ensure uninterrupted supply of materials to construction sites to avoid project delays
• Maintain accurate procurement records and update BuildSmart or relevant procurement systems

Plant Management

• Manage the company's owned and hired plant and equipment fleet
• Coordinate plant allocation, mobilisation, demobilisation, and utilisation across sites
• Track plant availability, usage, maintenance schedules, and costs
• Liaise with plant hire companies for short and long-term rental requirements
• Support plant cost recovery, hire charges, and internal allocation reporting

Logistics & Transport Coordination

• Plan and coordinate transportation of materials, plant, and equipment to and from sites
• Schedule deliveries in line with site programmes and construction milestones
• Manage third-party transporters and in-house logistics resources
• Optimise logistics costs through route planning, consolidated loads, and supplier coordination

Supplier & Stakeholder Management

• Develop and maintain strong relationships with suppliers, plant hire companies, and transport providers
• Source and support local and BBBEE-compliant suppliers where required
• Liaise with site managers, quantity surveyors, and finance teams
• Conduct supplier performance reviews and resolve disputes or claims

Cost Control & Commercial Support

• Monitor procurement, plant, and logistics costs against budgets
• Identify cost-saving opportunities without compromising quality or programme
• Assist with pricing, benchmarking, and supplier comparisons
• Support audits and commercial reporting as required

Compliance, Risk & Governance

• Ensure procurement and plant activities comply with company policies, contractual obligations, and industry standards
• Maintain accurate documentation for audits and project close-out

Requirements

Experience

• 5–8 years buying/procurement experience within the construction or civil engineering industry (essential)
• Proven experience managing plant, equipment, and construction logistics (essential)
• Experience working on live construction sites (essential)
• BBBEE supplier sourcing experience (advantageous)

Qualifications

• Diploma or Degree in Supply Chain Management, Procurement, Logistics, Construction Management, or similar (desirable)
• CIPS qualification or working towards CIPS (desirable)

Skills & Competencies

• Strong negotiation and commercial acumen
• Proficient in ERP systems – BuildSmart, SAP, Sage, CCS – and MS Excel
• Solid understanding of construction materials, plant, and logistics
• Cost control and budgeting skills
• Supplier and stakeholder management
• Problem analysis and resolution
• High attention to detail and strong administrative capability
• Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities under pressure
• Results-driven, proactive, and able to work independently
• Clear communicator – written and verbal

Work Environment

Hours: 45–50 hours per week

Location: Johannesburg Head Office

Travel: Approximately 10% travel to construction sites

Work setting: Primarily office-based (75% seated); occasional site visits