Buyer - Civil Engineering

Austin Fraser; Canterbury; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job description

ROLE: Buyer - Civil Engineering

LOCATION: East Kent

SALARY: £40,000 - £60,000 DOE

THE COMPANY

A successful business within the construction industry, known for our commitment to quality, innovation, and customer satisfaction. A leading regional construction company delivering projects with the full range of services. The company invests in their employees with a clear career path. This role would be looking after their Civil Engineering section.

THE JOB

As a Buyer, you will be responsible for the procurement of materials, plant, and subcontract services for a variety of civil engineering projects. You'll work closely with site teams, estimators, and suppliers to ensure timely, cost-effective, and quality supply chains that support smooth project delivery.

Key Responsibilities

1. Source and procure materials, plant, and services in line with project specifications and budgets
2. Build and maintain strong supplier relationships to ensure competitive pricing and reliable delivery
3. Negotiate prices, payment terms, and lead times to secure best value
4. Place and manage purchase orders, ensuring timely deliveries to site
5. Monitor material usage and report on variances or delays to the project team
6. Liaise with site managers, engineers, and commercial teams to forecast procurement needs
7. Ensure compliance with procurement policies, health & safety, and sustainability standards
8. Maintain up-to-date records on procurement systems and supplier databases
9. Support value engineering and cost-saving initiatives

WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR

1. Experience in a purchasing or buying role within the construction but ideally civil engineering sector
2. Strong understanding of civil engineering materials (e.g., aggregates, concrete, drainage products, groundworks supplies, etc.) and plant hire processes
3. CIPS qualification (or working towards) desirable but not essential
4. Strong negotiation and communication skills
5. Commercial awareness and attention to detail
6. Ability to manage multiple procurement activities simultaneously
7. Proficiency in Microsoft Office and purchasing software/systems
8. Organised, proactive, and solutions-focused
9. Ability to work under pressure and to tight deadlines

If you are interested in this opportunity hit “apply” or contact Craig Humphrey at Xenon Recruitment today! Alternatively, if you are seeking some advice/guidance about your next career steps get in touch for a confidential conversation.