Assistant Buyer (Social Housing)

VanRath; Magherafelt; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job description

• Job Reference: RAAB090425
• Job Title: Assistant Buyer (Social Housing)
• Rate: £25,000 - £35,000 DOE + package
• Location: Magherafelt, Northern Ireland

Assistant Buyer
Are you looking for an Assistant Buyer role? Interested in working for a leading Social Housing and Property Services Contractor?

VANRATH are recruiting an Assistant Buyer to work for a well-respected Contractor, based in Magherafelt, Northern Ireland.

Remuneration:
£25,000 - £35,000 DOE + package

Package Includes:

• Employee Perks & Discounts
• Life Assurance
• Industry leading health & wellbeing programme
• Healthcare Cash Plan
• Long service awards
• Great opportunities for learning & development

Client:
Our client is a well-respected Property Services Contractor that has been operating for approximately 50 years. They specialise in property alterations and modifications, damage restoration and maintenance projects. They work with Social and Private Housing clients, Property Management Companies, Care Homes, Schools, Councils and Commercial Buildings.

Overview of Role:
Great opportunity for a highly organised and motivated Assistant Buyer to join the Procurement & Supply Chain team. This role is perfect for someone looking to develop a career in procurement within the construction and building services industry.

The Assistant Buyer will support the Procurement & Supply Chain Manager in ensuring the efficient sourcing, purchasing, and delivery of materials, plant, and subcontractor services to support project delivery. Additionally, assist in managing supplier data, pricing records, and purchasing documentation, while learning to negotiate with suppliers and contribute to continuous improvement within the supply chain.

Key Responsibilities:

Tender Support / Pre-Contract Activities

• Assist the Estimating Team by obtaining competitive supplier and subcontractor quotes for tender submissions
• Help gather and evaluate prices for materials and services that align with project scope and timelines
• Support the Procurement Manager in compiling procurement packages for bid submissions.

Procurement & Purchasing (Post-Contract)

• Assist in raising purchase orders for materials, plant, and subcontract services, ensuring accuracy and compliance with company procedures
• Liaise with project teams to understand material requirements and delivery schedules
• Ensure materials and services are ordered in line with budget, quality expectations, and delivery deadlines.

Supplier & Subcontractor Support

• Assist with the onboarding of new suppliers and subcontractors, including gathering compliance documents and updating internal systems
• Maintain the Approved Supplier List (ASL) by ensuring supplier information is accurate and complete
• Assist in evaluating supplier performance using KPIs (e.g. delivery times, quality, communication)
• Support negotiation efforts by gathering market information and previous pricing data.

Pricing & Data Management

• Maintain up-to-date supplier pricing in the central database and update the procurement system regularly
• Assist in comparing quotes and recommending value-for-money options
• Support cost tracking across various suppliers and projects to identify savings opportunities
• Help monitor rebate agreements and credit terms with key suppliers.

Stores, Plant, and Transport Support

• Assist in the day-to-day management of stock levels for key materials and equipment in stores
• Support quarterly stock takes by gathering data, pricing, and recording results.

Reporting, Administration & Compliance

• Accurately file and maintain all procurement records
• Help resolve invoice queries in coordination with the Accounts department
• Support monthly reporting on procurement activities, plant usage, and stock levels
• Ensure that all procurement activities follow the Integrated Management System (IMS) requirements
• Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives within the procurement function

The Ideal Person:

• Previous experience in an administrative, procurement or supply chain support role
• Experience within the construction industry or working with subcontractors / suppliers is desirable
• A relevant qualification in business, procurement, or supply chain management is advantageous, but not essential
• Strong organisational skills and attention to detail
• Excellent communication skills - able to liaise with suppliers, subcontractors, and internal teams professionally
• Confident using Microsoft Office (especially Excel)
• Basic understanding of procurement processes and commercial awareness
• A positive, proactive approach and willingness to learn from senior team members
• Ability to manage workload and priorities in a busy environment

For further information on this vacancy, or any other Built Environment job in Belfast or wider Northern Ireland, please apply via the link below or contact Robert Apps for a confidential discussion.