Purchasing Assistant (Construction)
Salary: £29,000 - £34,000 depending on experience
Location: Doncaster
Contract: Permanent, Full-time
The Role
We are looking for an organised and commercially aware Purchasing Assistant with previous experience in the construction industry.
Working closely with the Purchasing Manager, Contracts Managers, Site Managers and suppliers, you will help ensure that construction materials, plant and services are ordered accurately, competitively and delivered to site on time.
The successful candidate must understand construction materials and terminology and have experience working within a contractor, housebuilder, construction company or building-materials environment.
Key Responsibilities
- Obtain and compare quotations for construction materials, plant and services.
- Raise and process purchase orders accurately.
- Place orders in line with project programmes and site requirements.
- Source suitable materials and identify new suppliers.
- Negotiate prices, lead times and delivery terms.
- Liaise with suppliers regarding availability, deliveries and shortages.
- Coordinate deliveries directly with construction sites.
- Monitor outstanding orders and expedite materials when required.
- Resolve incorrect deliveries, damaged materials and invoice queries.
- Maintain accurate supplier, pricing and purchasing records.
- Check order confirmations against purchase orders.
- Support the management of approved supplier lists.
- Build effective working relationships with site teams and suppliers.
- Assist with monitoring material costs and identifying potential savings.
- Work closely with Accounts to resolve pricing and invoice discrepancies.
- Provide general administrative support to the purchasing function.
Skills and Experience
Essential
- Previous purchasing, procurement or buying experience within the construction industry.
- Good knowledge of construction materials and terminology.
- Experience obtaining quotations and raising purchase orders.
- Confident communicating with suppliers and construction-site teams.
- Strong organisational skills and attention to detail.
- Good commercial awareness.
- Able to manage competing priorities and work to deadlines.
- Competent using Microsoft Excel, Outlook and purchasing or ERP systems.
Desirable
- Experience working for a main contractor, subcontractor, housebuilder or construction-materials supplier.
- Experience purchasing plant hire or subcontracted services.
- Knowledge of construction drawings, schedules or bills of quantities.
- Experience negotiating prices and supplier terms.
Personal Attributes
- Organised, reliable and proactive.
- Confident and professional communicator.
- Commercially minded and cost-conscious.
- Able to build strong supplier relationships.
- Calm under pressure and comfortable working in a busy environment.
- Good problem-solving skills.
- Able to work independently and as part of a team.
Please note: Previous purchasing or procurement experience within the construction industry is required for this position.
#INDAMB
Pay: £29,000.00-£34,000.00 per year
Work Location: In person
