Senior Buyer - Sub & Materials

Senior Buyer - Subcontracts & Materials

Location: Preston (Office-based with project support)

Sector: Civil Engineering / Infrastructure

A leading UK civil engineering contractor
, part of a large multidisciplinary construction group, is seeking a Senior Buyer to join its procurement team based in Preston
.

The business delivers complex infrastructure and civil engineering projects across sectors including rail, highways, airports, marine, energy, water and environmental infrastructure
, working collaboratively across specialist business units to provide integrated engineering solutions.

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced subcontract and materials buyer to play a key role in supporting live projects and tenders within a well-established procurement function.

• Develop tender lists and undertake due diligence of proposed subcontractors for approval by project and procurement management teams
• Develop project and tender procurement strategies in collaboration with project teams, identifying and managing risk and opportunity to secure best value
• Develop and manage procurement schedules aligned with tender and project programmes
• Prepare and issue subcontract and materials enquiries for tendering and live projects
• Manage the timely return of quotations and complete full commercial and best-value analysis
  , presenting recommendations for approval
• Lead commercial negotiations with subcontractors and suppliers
• Arrange and chair mid-tender, post-tender, final negotiation and pre-let meetings
• Ensure compliance with internal governance processes and correct use of procurement documentation
• Chair regular project procurement reviews covering subcontract and materials packages, programme dates, allowances, order values and actions
• Support project teams by monitoring subcontractor and supplier performance, acting as a commercial mediator where supply chain issues arise
• Manage new supplier and subcontractor onboarding
  , including all required due diligence
• Maintain strong knowledge of the local and regional supply chain
  , including capacity and capability
• Implement and manage frameworks, mini-frameworks and preferred supplier agreements
• Build strong supply chain relationships to obtain market intelligence and support innovation
• Lead supply chain performance management, including reviews, lessons learned and continuous improvement
• Ensure accurate document management and record keeping
• Represent the business at client, supplier and industry workshops or events

• Minimum 3 years' experience working in a procurement role within civil engineering or construction
• Experience buying subcontracts and/or materials
• Holding or working towards a CIPS professional qualification
• Strong understanding of construction procurement processes