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.
Key Skills & Experience:
- 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.
Interfaces:
- Internal: Procurement Team, Project Management Team, Estimating, HSEQ, Administration Support.
- External: Suppliers, Subcontractors, Clients, Consultants.
Delegated Authority:
- Authority to develop and sign off project procurement strategies and subcontractor packages.
