Working with a leading national engineering contractor operating in the environmental, civil engineering and rail markets I am recruiting for a Senior Buyer to join their team in South Wales.

The role joins a busy and fast paced supply chain and procurement team supporting projects and frameworks through the UK. The Senior Buyer will become a key part of the central procurement team but dedicated to supporting business units in the South of the UK with Wales, South West, South and South East England being typical project locations. The role holder will support the ongoing development and maintenance of key relationships with partners and suppliers while being responsible for providing direction and support to a professional team of Buyers and Assistant Buyers ensuring business needs are delivered whilst securing added value where possible, Other responsibilities include but not limited to:
• Leading a team of Buyers and Assistant Buyers, working alongside the Supply Chain Manager to assess skills, performance and productivity with the aim of identifying areas of improvement and development, providing support and training as needed.
• Reviewing requisitions, sourcing, negotiating and placing orders in support of business requirements in accordance with business and operating procedures.
• Obtain and evaluate information to assist in making supplier selections.
• Monitor and review supplier performance, collate and analyse data providing feedback.
• Manage relationships with the suppliers to facilitate resolution of problems related to the company.
• Deal with daily site and divisional requests for materials and plant and manage the process and procedures of order fulfilment including processing orders, arranging delivery etc.
• Assist in forecasting any category trends and developments which are likely to affect the company and communicate throughout the business.
• Strategic account management of specific key categories and/or suppliers as directed by the Supply Chain Manager/Procurement Director.
• Deliver training for stakeholders and internal interfaces on procurement systems, processes and strategy.
• Share knowledge gained and best practice developed for each category through procurement meetings
• Prepare statistical reports to the Supply Chain Manager/ Procurement Director as required.
• When requested, provide advice and support operational teams in tender submissions or on projects, on matters of procurement approach, product specifications, supplier selection and product cost.
• Actively seek procurement opportunities and maintain awareness of market trends.
• Assess the impact of clients supply chain preferences and requirements on the company’s activities.
• Develop quality professional relationships with clients and suppliers based upon reliability.
• Introduce colleagues to established relationships with suppliers in a planned manner consistent with the company’s relationship management strategy.

Requirements
To excel in this role, you will have previous experience as a Senior Buyer procuring a diverse range of plant and materials in a civil engineering / construction project environment.
• Good communication and computer skills are essential to the role
• Strong negotiation skills and proven purchasing experience, specifically in Rail/Civil Engineering environment would be beneficial.
• The ability to think and act proactively. Positive attitude, motivated and flexible.
• Good observation and communication skills.
• Ability to develop delegation skills
• Effective professional, motivation, co-ordinating and organisational skills.
• Must have CIPS (Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply) qualification, be already undertaking CIPS or have demonstrable compensatory experience.

Salary and package available for this role is in the region of £40,000 to £45,000 per annum with company car or car allowance, contributory pension, life assurance and medical benefits.

Please apply with your up to date CV for immediate consideration.