Assistant Buyer
Up to £35,000 + Package
Welwyn Garden City / South East
Overview
A well-established residential developer is looking for an ambitious Assistant Buyer to join its commercial team, based from its Welwyn Garden City office with regular visits to live projects across the South East.
This is an excellent opportunity for someone in the early stages of their buying career who wants a genuinely hands-on role. You'll work closely with an experienced Procurement Manager while getting directly involved with live residential projects, suppliers, site teams and the wider commercial department.
Around one year of relevant construction experience could be enough - the priority is finding someone with good residential exposure, a commercial mindset and the drive to develop into a strong construction Buyer.
The Opportunity
This isn't a role where you'll simply sit in the office raising purchase orders. You'll be involved at project level, working closely with the Procurement Manager, Quantity Surveyors and site teams to understand exactly what each development needs and ensure materials are bought at the right price and delivered when required.
Your responsibilities will include:
Assisting with the procurement of materials across live residential developments
Sending out enquiries and RFQs to suppliers
Obtaining, comparing and analysing quotations
Negotiating prices, lead times and delivery terms
Raising purchase orders and maintaining accurate procurement records
Reviewing drawings and specifications to understand project requirements
Assisting with material take-offs and schedules
Monitoring supplier lead times and coordinating deliveries with site teams
Building relationships with existing and new suppliers
Identifying alternative products and suppliers where appropriate
Working closely with Quantity Surveyors to understand budgets and project costs
Visiting sites across the South East and dealing directly with project teams
Helping resolve supply, specification and delivery issues
Supporting the Procurement Manager with wider buying and commercial activities You'll receive plenty of support, but they want someone who is willing to get stuck in, pick up the phone to suppliers, visit projects and gradually take ownership of their own buying responsibilities.
The Company
The business is an established residential developer delivering housing schemes across London and the South East.
They have an experienced commercial team and take a hands-on approach to procurement, with the buying function working closely with both site and commercial teams throughout the lifecycle of a development.
For someone relatively early in their career, this offers an excellent environment to learn. Rather than being limited to basic administrative tasks, you'll gain exposure to the full buying process and see first-hand how procurement decisions affect cost, programme and the successful delivery of a project.
What They're Looking For
Around 1+ years' construction experience - they're open to someone relatively early in their career
Residential construction experience is highly desirable
Some previous exposure to buying, procurement or materials coordination
Experience dealing with suppliers and obtaining quotations
Comfortable comparing prices and commercially assessing options
Able to read construction drawings and understand material requirements
Strong organisational and communication skills
Good Excel and general IT skills
Commercially minded with a willingness to negotiate
Proactive and happy working in a hands-on environment
Able to travel to projects across the South East when required
Ambition to develop into a Buyer and build a long-term career in residential construction What You Get
Salary up to £35,000 DOE
Competitive package
Direct mentoring from an experienced Procurement Manager
Hands-on involvement with live residential developments
Exposure to both procurement and the wider commercial function
Regular interaction with site and project teams
Opportunity to take on increasing buying responsibility
Clear progression within a well-established residential developer To Apply
Interested? Apply directly via the job board or get in touch to find out more.
Email: Send your CV to Alex @ Reinforcedltd . co . uk (remove spaces)
Call: Contact Alex on the number below
LinkedIn: Connect with Alex Wallace and send a message.
Not sure if you've got enough experience? Don't rule yourself out. They're open to someone relatively early in their buying career if you've gained good residential construction exposure and have the right attitude to learn.
Get in touch and we'll talk it through. I'll always give you honest advice on whether it's the right move for your career
