Assistant Buyer - Highways

Reference: ASSBUYERKU
Type: Contract
Position: Assistant Buyer - Highways
Location: Southampton, England
Industry: Engineering
Salary: Inside IR35

Role Purpose

Assisting end-to-end procurement activities for subcontracts, materials, plant, and equipment across highways maintenance and public realm contracts.

The role is hands-on and commercially focused, working closely with operational, commercial, technical, and supply chain teams to achieve best value, manage suppliers, and drive continuous improvement.

Key Responsibilities

• Assistant end-to-end procurement activities, including RFIs, RFQs and ITTs.
• Evaluate tenders and prepare sourcing and award recommendations.
• Negotiate commercial terms, pricing, and contractual conditions.
• Identify cost savings, cost avoidance, and value-for-money opportunities.
• Develop and maintain procurement schedules and sourcing plans.
• Carry out supplier due diligence and financial/commercial checks.
• Raise purchase orders and manage procurement processes in line with governance.
• Monitor supplier performance and implement improvement plans.
• Develop relationships with existing and new suppliers.
• Monitor market conditions, supplier capacity, pricing, risks, and opportunities.
• Produce procurement reports, dashboards, and management information.
• Work collaboratively with commercial, operational, technical, and HSEQS teams.
• Support sustainability, environmental, D&I, innovation, and Zero Harm objectives.

Experience & Skills

• Experience in end-to-end procurement and supplier management.
• Experience negotiating commercial and contractual terms.
• Strong analytical, numerical, and problem-solving skills.
• Good understanding of commercial and financial risks.
• Excellent attention to detail and organisational skills.
• Ability to manage competing priorities and meet project deadlines.
• Strong customer and stakeholder focus.
• ERP/e-procurement experience, such as Oracle or Jaggaer, is advantageous.
• Construction/civils experience is desirable but not essential; relevant procurement experience from other sectors will be considered.

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity in our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, colour, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.

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