Senior Buyer - Sub Contract

Volkerrail Group; Plymouth; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading civil engineering firm is seeking a Senior Buyer for their procurement team, located in Plymouth. This role involves managing subcontracts, developing procurement strategies, and maintaining relationships with suppliers. Candidates should have experience in civil engineering procurement and proficient analytical skills. The position offers a competitive salary and a range of benefits including private medical care and training opportunities.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Private medical care

Pension

Life Assurance

Employee Assistance programme

Training and development opportunities

Qualifications

• Experience in heavy Civil Engineering and Procurement.
• Knowledge of Civils/Construction industry.
• Ability to work independently.

Responsibilities

• Establish and maintain buying control and effectiveness.
• Manage subcontractor relationships and negotiations.
• Conduct regular procurement reviews for subcontracts.

Skills

Heavy civil engineering expertise

Procurement experience

CIPS Professional Qualification

Analytical skills

Commercial awareness

Education

Relevant procurement qualifications

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Database packages

Job description

Overview

Part of the VolkerWessels UK Group, VolkerStevin is an industry-leading civil engineering business providing complex and innovative engineering solutions across sectors including maritime, flood risk management, defence, energy, water and regeneration. We deliver an integrated, multidisciplinary service by collaborating with the group’s business units. VolkerStevin are recruiting for a Senior Buyer (Sub contract) for the South West, with opportunities to work on sites in and around Plymouth and at our office in Exeter. This is a senior procurement role within our Sub contract team.

Previous experience in heavy civil engineering sub contract buying is essential. The role may require passing security clearance. Experience in MOD/DIO or Nuclear environments would be advantageous but is not essential.

Overall role purpose

To establish, maintain and improve the control and effectiveness of the buying function in line with Company policy and Business objectives.

Key Accountabilities

• Develop bid lists and complete due diligence of proposed subcontractors for associated Tender/Procurement packages for sign-off by the Project Team and Procurement Manager.
• Develop Tender/Project Procurement Strategy in collaboration with the Project Team, identifying risks and opportunities and leveraging to obtain best value.
• Develop and manage the Tender/Project Procurement Schedule in collaboration with the Project Team.
• Collate Tender/Project sub-contract and materials enquiries for assessment and use by Estimator/Site Management team.
• Manage the return of timely quotations, complete full best value analysis and propose recommendations in conjunction with the Project Team for approval.
• Lead package negotiations with the supply chain.
• Arrange and lead supplier/subcontractor meetings including mid-tender, post-tender and final negotiation meetings.
• Arrange and chair Pre-let Meeting prior to Subcontract award.
• Conduct internal governance checks, ensuring correct use of documents (order templates, REQ forms, etc.).
• Chair regular Project Procurement reviews for Subcontract Packages and Materials to ensure programme dates, tender allowances, order values and actions are tracked.
• Support projects to ensure Subcontract/Supplier performance meets requirements and act as mediator to resolve Supply Chain disputes.
• Oversee New Supplier/Subcontractor onboarding including due diligence.
• Maintain good knowledge of local supply chain, capacity and capability.
• Apply business objectives and internal policy to Project Procurement where required.
• Work in line with VolkerStevin HSEQS procedures and objectives.
• Manage the implementation of supply chain/supplier agreements including Mini Fwks and preferred supplier agreements.
• Collaborate with Supply Chain to build relationships, obtain market intelligence and support market innovation/product development.
• Performance management of Supply Chain, including 360 reviews and lessons learned.
• Ensure and maintain proper document management and storage.
• Represent VolkerStevin by supporting and attending Client/Supplier Workshops or Seminars.

About you

• Experience in heavy Civil Engineering procurement.
• Holding or working towards a CIPS Professional Qualification.
• Knowledge of Civils/Construction industry and procurement experience in subcontract and supplier markets in Construction.
• Computer literate with experience in Word, Excel, Teams and bespoke accounting, database and document storage packages.
• Capable of working on own initiative with minimal supervision.
• Competent understanding of subcontract types and forms of contract.
• Extensive knowledge of trades and materials in Civil Engineering.
• Good commercial and analytical skills with proven ability to manage workload.

If your past experience doesn’t match every requirement, we still encourage you to apply as you may be the right candidate for us.

Why work with us?

VolkerStevin is part of VolkerWessels UK, a multidisciplinary contractor delivering innovative engineering solutions across civil engineering and construction sectors including rail, highways, airport, marine, energy, water and environmental infrastructure. By utilising the specialist skills of each business unit, VolkerStevin provides unrivalled resources and expertise to clients.

We offer competitive rewards and benefits and opportunities for training and development.

Benefits

• Competitive salary
• Competitive annual leave with an additional day off on your birthday
• Option to buy additional annual leave
• Private medical care
• Pension
• Life Assurance
• Cycle to Work scheme
• Shopping vouchers, rewards and discounts
• Training and development opportunities including comprehensive skills-based training
• Family-friendly policies including enhanced maternity benefits
• Employee Assistance programme
• Mental health, physical health and financial support
• 24/7 Virtual GP service

Fairness, inclusion and respect

We are committed to fairness, inclusion and respect so that our teams can be themselves and thrive. Read more about our FIR Strategy and our partners here: Fairness, Inclusion and Respect | VolkerWessels UK. For application support, contact [e-mail].

Additional information

Note for Recruitment Agencies: We prefer direct hires. If this role is released to PSL agencies, please direct inquiries to [e-mail]. VolkerWessels UK conducts drugs and alcohol screening for all staff.