Job Description:

Assistant Buyer
Up to £35,000 + Package
Welwyn Garden City / South East
 
Overview
A well-established residential developer is looking for an ambitious Assistant Buyer to join its commercial team, based from its Welwyn Garden City office with regular visits to live projects across the South East.
 
This is an excellent opportunity for someone in the early stages of their buying career who wants a genuinely hands-on role. You'll work closely with an experienced Procurement Manager while getting directly involved with live residential projects, suppliers, site teams and the wider commercial department.
 
Around one year of relevant construction experience could be enough - the priority is finding someone with good residential exposure, a commercial mindset and the drive to develop into a strong construction Buyer.
 
The Opportunity
This isn't a role where you'll simply sit in the office raising purchase orders. You'll be involved at project level, working closely with the Procurement Manager, Quantity Surveyors and site teams to understand exactly what each development needs and ensure materials are bought at the right price and delivered when required.
 
Your responsibilities will include:

• Assisting with the procurement of materials across live residential developments
• Sending out enquiries and RFQs to suppliers
• Obtaining, comparing and analysing quotations
• Negotiating prices, lead times and delivery terms
• Raising purchase orders and maintaining accurate procurement records
• Reviewing drawings and specifications to understand project requirements
• Assisting with material take-offs and schedules
• Monitoring supplier lead times and coordinating deliveries with site teams
• Building relationships with existing and new suppliers
• Identifying alternative products and suppliers where appropriate
• Working closely with Quantity Surveyors to understand budgets and project costs
• Visiting sites across the South East and dealing directly with project teams
• Helping resolve supply, specification and delivery issues
• Supporting the Procurement Manager with wider buying and commercial activities

You'll receive plenty of support, but they want someone who is willing to get stuck in, pick up the phone to suppliers, visit projects and gradually take ownership of their own buying responsibilities.
 
The Company
The business is an established residential developer delivering housing schemes across London and the South East.
 
They have an experienced commercial team and take a hands-on approach to procurement, with the buying function working closely with both site and commercial teams throughout the lifecycle of a development.
 
For someone relatively early in their career, this offers an excellent environment to learn. Rather than being limited to basic administrative tasks, you'll gain exposure to the full buying process and see first-hand how procurement decisions affect cost, programme and the successful delivery of a project.
 
What They're Looking For

• Around 1+ years' construction experience - they're open to someone relatively early in their career
• Residential construction experience is highly desirable
• Some previous exposure to buying, procurement or materials coordination
• Experience dealing with suppliers and obtaining quotations
• Comfortable comparing prices and commercially assessing options
• Able to read construction drawings and understand material requirements
• Strong organisational and communication skills
• Good Excel and general IT skills
• Commercially minded with a willingness to negotiate
• Proactive and happy working in a hands-on environment
• Able to travel to projects across the South East when required
• Ambition to develop into a Buyer and build a long-term career in residential construction

What You Get

• Salary up to £35,000 DOE
• Competitive package
• Direct mentoring from an experienced Procurement Manager
• Hands-on involvement with live residential developments
• Exposure to both procurement and the wider commercial function
• Regular interaction with site and project teams
• Opportunity to take on increasing buying responsibility
• Clear progression within a well-established residential developer

To Apply
Interested? Apply directly via the job board or get in touch to find out more.
 
Email: Send your CV to Alex @ Reinforcedltd . co . uk (remove spaces)
Call: Contact Alex on the number below
LinkedIn: Connect with Alex Wallace and send a message.
 
Not sure if you've got enough experience? Don't rule yourself out. They're open to someone relatively early in their buying career if you've gained good residential construction exposure and have the right attitude to learn.
 
Get in touch and we'll talk it through. I'll always give you honest advice on whether it's the right move for your career.