Senior Buyer / Procurement

A fantastic opportunity to join a leading Tier One contractor delivering major infrastructure projects for United Utilities as a Senior Buyer. As a Senior Buyer, you will establish, maintain, and enhance the efficiency of the Procurement function, ensuring that it aligns with company policies and business objectives. The role requires a strong background in subcontract procurement, particularly in the civil engineering and construction sectors, and will involve extensive interaction with project teams to drive best value in procurement activities. Key Responsibilities:

• Tender/Procurement Packages: Develop bid lists and conduct due diligence on potential subcontractors. Ensure that procurement strategies align with project goals and risks, with a focus on subcontracting and materials.
• Tender Strategy Development: Collaborate with the project team to devise the procurement strategy, identifying opportunities for cost savings and risk mitigation.
• Procurement Schedule Management: Develop and manage procurement schedules to ensure alignment with project timelines.
• Subcontract & Materials Enquiries: Collect and assess subcontract and materials enquiries to support estimators and site management teams.
• Tender Reviews: Conduct comprehensive quality reviews of returned quotations, including risk, sustainability, HSEQ, and commercial considerations. Present findings and recommendations to the project team for approval.
• Negotiations: Lead price negotiations, inclusions/exclusions, terms, and conditions with suppliers and subcontractors. Conduct mid-tender, post-tender, and final negotiations.
• Subcontract Award Process: Arrange and chair pre-let meetings before subcontract awards.
• Internal Governance: Ensure adherence to internal governance procedures, using the correct documentation and templates.
• Project Procurement Reviews: Chair regular procurement reviews to ensure project requirements and procurement schedules are met.
• Dispute Resolution: Act as a mediator to resolve any disputes with suppliers or subcontractors, ensuring positive project outcomes.
• Supplier/Subcontractor Onboarding: Oversee the onboarding process for new suppliers and subcontractors, ensuring all due diligence is completed.
• Market Intelligence: Develop and maintain relationships with key suppliers and subcontractors, gaining market intelligence and understanding industry risks and opportunities.
• Category/Trade Procurement: Lead procurement for specific categories and trades related to materials and subcontract services.
• Performance Management: Monitor the performance of subcontractors and suppliers, conducting 360 reviews, financial risk assessments, and lessons learned reviews.
• Documentation Management: Ensure proper document management and storage, complying with organizational standards.

• Experience: Minimum of 3 years in procurement, with a strong focus on subcontract procurement within the construction or civil engineering sectors.
• Qualifications: CIPS qualification or working towards it is desirable.
• Technical Skills: Proficiency in Microsoft Office, ERP systems, and supplier databases. Strong negotiation and commercial analysis skills.
• Knowledge: Detailed understanding of subcontracting practices, construction contracts, and materials procurement. Knowledge of various forms of contracts and trades within civil engineering.
• Behavioural Skills: Strong communication, time management, and the ability to work independently. Flexible and adaptable to working across office and site-based environments.
• Commercial & Analytical Skills: Ability to evaluate supplier performance, conduct best value analysis, and contribute to procurement strategies that support business objectives.

• Internal: Procurement Team, Project Management Team, Estimating, HSEQ, Administration Support.
• External: Suppliers, Subcontractors, Clients, Consultants.