Assistant Materials Buyer

Established twenty five years ago this respected Brickwork company have progressed to become one of the market leaders in brickwork, masonry and other related disciplines. They have experience in new build housing, commercial, leisure and complex structural alterations working for main contractors, private clients, local authorities, Museums and Galleries throughout London and the South East. We are looking for a Assistant Materials Buyer to be based at the company HO in Loughton Essex.

You will assist with sourcing and purchasing bricks, blocks, mortar, insulation accessories and other construction materials ensuring products are available at the right price, quality and time to meet customer and project requirements.

this is an excellent opportunity for someone looking to to develop a career in procurement and purchasing within the construction materials industry.

Key resposibilities

Assist with the day-to-day purchasing of bricks, blocks and associated building materials.

Obtain and compare supplier quotations to achieve competitive pricing and availability.

Raise and process purchase orders accurately and in a timely manner.

Liaise with suppliers regarding prices, lead times, availability and delivery dates.

Monitor outstanding orders and follow up with suppliers to ensure deliveries are made as required.

Maintain accurate purchasing records and update internal systems.

Assist with maintaining supplier price lists and product information.

Support the Buyer with price negotiations and supplier reviews.

Work closely with the sales, estimating, warehouse and transport teams to coordinate material requirements.

Identify potential shortages, delays or supply issues and communicate these promptly.

Check supplier invoices and delivery notes against purchase orders.

Assist with resolving discrepancies relating to quantities, pricing or deliveries.

Develop good working relationships with existing suppliers and help identify alternative sources where required.

Monitor stock levels and assist with replenishment planning.

Keep up to date with product availability, market conditions and supplier changes.

Ensure purchasing activities comply with company procedures and agreed authorisation levels.

Provide general administrative and purchasing support to the buying team.

Skills & Experience

Essential:

• Strong organisational and administrative skills.

• Good attention to detail and accuracy.

• Confident communication skills, both verbal and written.

• Ability to build and maintain effective supplier relationships.

• Good negotiation and commercial awareness.

• Ability to work under pressure and manage multiple priorities.

• Good Microsoft Office skills, particularly Excel.

Desirable

• Previous purchasing, procurement or materials experience.

• Experience within the construction, brickwork or building materials sector.

• Knowledge of bricks, blocks and other construction materials.

• Experience using purchasing, stock control or ERP systems.

• Understanding of supplier lead times, delivery requirements and logistics.

Personal Attributes

We are looking for someone who is:

• Highly organised and methodical.

• Proactive and able to use their own initiative.

• Comfortable communicating with suppliers and internal teams.

• Able to remain calm and focused in a busy environment.

• Keen to develop their knowledge of purchasing and the construction materials industry.

What We Offer

• Competitive salary.

• Training and development opportunities.

• Opportunity to progress within the purchasing/procurement team.

• Friendly and supportive working environment