Junior Buyer

Martin Group; Derry/Londonderry; On-site; GBP 40,000 - GBP 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A construction firm based in Northern Ireland is looking for a Buyer to join their team. This role involves sourcing and negotiating construction materials, managing supplier relationships, and ensuring cost efficiency. The ideal candidate should have 1-2 years of purchasing experience in the construction sector and strong skills in procurement and negotiation. Salary is negotiable based on experience, and the role requires excellent communication skills and proficiency in Microsoft Excel.

Qualifications

• Minimum 1-2 years of procurement, sourcing or commercial buying experience in construction sector.
• Proven track record in negotiating high-value contracts and cost reduction strategies.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills for stakeholder and supplier engagement.

Responsibilities

• Sourcing, negotiating, and procuring construction materials while ensuring cost efficiency.
• Identifying and selecting reliable suppliers and contractors for live projects.
• Preparing reports on procurement activities and liaising with commercial leads.

Skills

Procurement experience

Negotiation skills

Cost management

Supplier engagement

Microsoft Excel proficiency

Job description

Overview

The Martin Property Group are looking to recruit a buyer to join our expanding team. The ideal candidate will have a background in Quantity Surveying but this is not essential.

The core responsibilities in this role will be to prepare accurate quantities and material schedules, competitively sourcing and co-ordinating the supply of plant and materials required for our projects. The successful candidate will need to understand, quantify, budget and manage the costs of construction projects, while achieving the required legal standards, statutory regulations and Company quality standards.

Reporting to the Construction Director, you will manage pricing and trading agreements and quotations, ensuring our team deliver on time, meeting tight deadlines. Forecasting costs and estimates on a monthly basis along with regular cost reviews with the wider construction team will be essential in this role to work effectively.

Responsibilities

• Sourcing, negotiating, and procuring construction materials while ensuring cost efficiency, quality, and timely delivery
• Identifying and selecting reliable suppliers / contractors for live projects
• Ensuring all materials meet required technical specifications and quality standards. Addressing any concerns with suppliers and internal teams to ensure product compatibility
• Manage the delivery of all material & plant to site in a clear and professional manner by ensuring all items are available when required, through the setting-out of an informative draw-off schedule. Developing and executing procurement strategies aligned with company objectives
• Preparing reports on procurement activities, cost savings, and supplier performance metrics. Liaise with commercial lead to ensure project expenditure is in line with budgetary allowance
• Build, manage & maintain relationships with clients, suppliers, contractors, other construction professionals including site operatives
• Work to ensure all supplier invoices are cleared for payment in a timely manner to maintain the high-level of positive supplier relations expected by the company
• Perform daily, weekly and monthly checks to ensure all paperwork is up to date, all sites are being efficiently serviced and efficiency remains at the expected high level
• Report to the Procurement Manager daily and company directors as required

Qualifications / Experience

• Minimum 1-2 years of procurement, sourcing or commercial buying experience in construction sector.
• Proven track record in negotiating high-value contracts and cost reduction strategies.
• Extensive and demonstrable experience of the management of mechanical / electrical ordering.
• Ability to manage procurement budgets and meet financial targets.
• Familiarity with contracts, pricing structures, and commercial terms.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills for stakeholder and supplier engagement.
• Organized and structured approach to your work.
• Enthusiastic adopter/user of IT systems, with proficiency in Microsoft Office, especially Microsoft Excel.
• Ability to work under pressure and cope with a varied portfolio of work, progressing with reduced supervision.
• Proven record of delivering on-time quality work within budget and with minimal supervision.

Salary is negotiable depending on experience and can be discussed at interview stage.

If you are passionate about procurement and possess the necessary skills to excel in this role, we encourage you to apply for the position of Buyer within our dynamic team.