Regional Buyer; Materials

Location:

Huntingdon

A Regional Buyer is required to form an integral part of the current group purchasing function of a well-established civil engineering company. You will report to the Supply Chain Manager and play a key role in securing and maintaining suppliers of materials, ensuring price, delivery, and quality targets are met.

• Deliver high standard work on tender projects and decide on appropriate, competitive costs to include in tenders.
• Purchase contract materials to the correct specification at competitive prices and ensure timely delivery.
• Negotiate with suppliers using well‑thought strategies to achieve the best outcomes.
• Maintain and develop strategic relationships with key suppliers aligned to the company’s needs.
• Identify and negotiate supply agreements with new suppliers as instructed by the Supply Chain Manager.
• Improve purchasing methods to drive down external spend.
• Use the company ERP (Coins & SharePoint) and read technical drawings to extract quantities.
• Represent the department in internal meetings as required.
• Assist the Supplier Chain Manager in coordinating purchasing activities focused on cost, delivery, and quality performance.
• Encourage sites to provide take‑off information early to maximise purchasing opportunities.
• Adopt a proactive approach to maximize purchasing efficiency by aggregating volume for better deals.
• Determine when materials do not need to be purchased externally and can be sourced internally.
• Liaise with local and national authorities (e.g., National Highways, Cambridgeshire County Council) to negotiate best value for aggregates.
• Community with suppliers to explore new opportunities and negotiate best value.
• Challenge standard aggregate offers to achieve better value and manage haulage and collect rates effectively.
• Work with external waste and geotechnical consultants at tender and live project stages to identify and fulfil opportunities.
• Maintain close contact with on‑site customers, informing them of project intentions and involving them in decision‑making.
• Use departmental admin resources efficiently to focus on skilled aspects of the role and seize all opportunities.

• Construction‑based qualification preferred but not essential.
• CIPS qualification or progress towards it preferred but not essential.
• Experience with Coins/SharePoint preferred but not essential.
• Five years previous experience in civil engineering purchasing, site roles, or aggregates/waste roles preferred but not essential.
• High competency in Microsoft Office (Excel, PowerPoint, Word).
• Full driving licence required.
• Proven track record of controlling and reducing external spend while developing a robust supplier base.
• Ability to bring new ideas to purchasing activities.
• Fully conversant with modern purchasing techniques.
• Experience purchasing bespoke, manufactured items.

• Highly resourceful with excellent communication skills; prefer phone contact over email where possible.
• "Hands‑on" approach to all tasks.
• Proactive in overcoming challenges and achieving results.
• Versatile, tenacious, and people‑oriented.
• Results‑driven and confident.
• Appreciation of customer service expectations and cost demands.
• Strong commercial and financial acumen.
• Ability to identify potential deals to achieve best value and close them out.
• Ability to set priorities considering short‑ and long‑term business needs.
• Commitment to benefiting the department and the business as a whole.

40 hours per week, with hours to suit the department’s needs and 1 hour lunch per day.

Annual leave: 26 days (exclusive of bank holidays). Seven days must be taken at Christmas in accordance with the industry shutdown.

To apply, send your CV and covering letter to