Procurement Assistant / Junior Buyer

Description

Job description:

Role Purpose

BREL Facades is looking for a Procurement Assistant / Junior Buyer to support the procurement of materials, products and services across our live façade construction projects.

The role will take responsibility for procurement activities from the point a requirement is received from the project, design or commercial team through supplier enquiry, quotation, approval, ordering, delivery and close-out.

This is a hands-on role requiring regular communication with suppliers, site teams, Design Managers, Quantity Surveyors and Project/Operations Managers. The successful candidate will be expected to take ownership of their assigned procurement packages rather than simply process purchase orders.

Key Responsibilities

1. Review material schedules, take-offs, drawings and procurement requests and clarify quantities, specifications and required delivery dates with the relevant project team before ordering.

2. Issue RFQs to suppliers and subcontractors and obtain competitive quotations, lead times and availability.

3. Source new suppliers and alternative products where required, particularly where there are availability, lead-time or specification issues.

4. Compare supplier quotations on price, specification, availability, delivery cost and lead time and highlight any significant differences or risks.

5. Liaise with the Design Team where technical clarification, product data sheets, samples or alternative products require approval.

6. Liaise with site teams to confirm quantities, delivery dates, access requirements, phased deliveries and other logistical requirements.

7. Prepare purchase orders and progress them through BREL's internal approval process, including ApprovalMax, ensuring orders are not committed before the appropriate approval has been obtained.

8. Place approved orders with suppliers and obtain formal order acknowledgements and confirmed delivery dates.

9. Maintain the Procurement Tracker for assigned projects, ensuring quotations, orders, delivery dates, outstanding actions and procurement risks are kept up to date.

10. Regularly chase suppliers for quotations, order confirmations, manufacturing progress, outstanding information and deliveries.

11. Monitor long-lead items and immediately escalate any potential delay that may affect the construction programme.

12. Coordinate split, phased or alternative deliveries where site requirements or supplier availability require them.

13. Work with suppliers and the project team to resolve shortages, damaged materials, incorrect deliveries and unavailable products.

14. Maintain accurate supplier contact details, quotations, product information, order confirmations and supporting procurement records.

15. Assist with supplier onboarding, credit applications and establishment of new supplier accounts.

16. Maintain clear written records of procurement decisions and ensure key correspondence and documentation is properly filed.

17. Develop good working relationships with existing suppliers while continuing to identify alternative suppliers and opportunities to improve value.

18. Support the Senior Buyer / Procurement Manager with procurement reporting, supplier performance and wider purchasing activities as required.

Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate will be organised, commercially aware and comfortable taking ownership of multiple procurement requirements at the same time. Previous experience in construction procurement, purchasing or façade construction would be advantageous, although we would also consider a strong graduate looking to develop a career in construction procurement.

The candidate should be confident speaking directly with suppliers and internal project teams and should be comfortable following up repeatedly where quotations, information or deliveries are outstanding.

An ability to understand basic construction drawings, material schedules, take-offs and technical specifications would be highly beneficial. Strong attention to detail is essential, particularly when dealing with quantities, specifications, colours, finishes, delivery dates and purchase order information.

Good Microsoft Excel, Outlook and general IT skills are required. Experience using procurement/approval systems such as ApprovalMax and document management systems such as SharePoint would be advantageous.

Key Attributes

We are looking for somebody who is proactive, organised and persistent; communicates clearly; takes ownership rather than waiting to be chased; is comfortable challenging suppliers; understands the importance of programme and lead times; keeps accurate records; and works well with commercial, design, operations and site teams.

What We Offer

1. Competitive salary, dependent on experience.

2. 28 days' annual leave including bank holidays.

3. An additional day's annual leave for each completed year of service.

4. Holiday trading scheme, allowing employees to buy or sell annual leave.

5. Discretionary bonus based on company performance and individual contribution.

6. Company car scheme available through salary sacrifice.

7. Workplace pension in accordance with statutory requirements.

8. Cycle to Work scheme.

9. Birthday gift card.

10. Quarterly company events and participation in company charity events.

11. Training and development opportunities as you progress within the procurement team.

12. Opportunity to develop from Procurement Assistant / Junior Buyer into a Buyer role and take increasing ownership of projects and supplier relationships.

13. Exposure to a wide range of façade remediation and new-build projects across London and the wider UK.

14. The opportunity to join a growing specialist façade contractor with a strong secured pipeline of work.

What Success Looks Like

The successful candidate will ensure that project teams know the procurement status of their materials at all times, orders are placed accurately and on time, supplier and delivery risks are identified early, and materials arrive on site in accordance with the construction programme.

No agencies, please.

Visa sponsorship after 6 months' continuous employment.

Benefits:

Company pension
Cycle to work scheme
Gym membership
On-site parking
Private dental insurance
Private medical insurance
UK visa sponsorship

Work Location: In person

Ad ID: 5419304082