Junior Buyer

Derby, England, United Kingdom

1/23/2025

About the role

Amazing infrastructure isn’t the only thing that gets built here. Incredible careers do too.

Join our Ground Engineering team as a Junior Buyer and you can build something to be proud of!

What you'll be doing

As a Junior Buyer you will have the following responsibilities:

• Work closely with supply chain to ensure earliest possible involvement within the project
• Using the Jaggaer e-procurement portal, development, and governance of package specific sourcing plans with work winning and project teams, including RFIs/RFQs/RFPs. 
• Maximise value for money across a range of direct categories (highest spend is steel and concrete)
• Support evaluation of tender responses to help compile award recommendations for approval, talking account of the total value of ownership
• Carrying out due diligence, financial and commercial checks for supply partners in accordance with business governance
• Support in negotiation of terms, conditions, and prices against tender allowances/targets
• Process requisition orders and raise Purchase Orders in line with company procedures and delegated levels of authorities and expedite as required
• Manage supply chain performance objectively via the Jaggaer e procurement performance module, and provide regular reports to include performance development plans as required, to ensure continuous improvement within the supply chain
• Collaborate with suppliers and project team to assist with the resolution of supply issues as and when required, escalating as required
• Help monitor the supply market to identify potential new suppliers and products and lead meetings with suppliers to understand their products and the category market, keeping abreast of market developments, demand trends and risks to proactively support the project requirements
• Support in the collation, development, and preparation of procurement management information, including spend reports, monthly dashboards etc
• Work cross-functionally with all departments to drive and deliver HSEQS principles and commercial objectives
• Ensure strict compliance with processes, procedures, and governance to ensure quality standards are maintained
• To support the delivery of Business and Group policies and our ambitions around sustainability, environmental, D&I and innovation programme, working proactively and collaboratively with supply chain to progress and maximize opportunity

Who we're looking for

The following skills/experience are required:

• An awareness of how to run end to end procurement projects from market research, through sourcing, to contract and supplier management
• Results orientated with the ability to plan and deliver against bid / project milestones
• Some exposure to negotiating commercial deals and contractual terms and conditions advantageous
• Analytical, numerically astute with well-developed problem-solving abilities
• Basic awareness of commercial and financial risks and how to manage them
• Comfortable with having to quickly learn and work with new processes and IT systems
• Ability to use own initiative to identify areas of improvement and propose solutions
• Highly customer focused and desire to meet and exceed customer expectations
• Knowledge of the construction/civils market would be an advantage, but applicants from other sectors are also encouraged to apply if they have relevant experience in the procurement function
• Experience of Oracle R12 or other ERP systems and Jaggaer e-procurement platforms advantageous; however, training can be provided if applicant has no experience of these
• MCIPS/studying towards CIPS/willingness to undertake CIPS equivalent qualifications would be an advantage, but is not essential

Why work for us

Day in, day out, our teams deliver some of the UK’s most ambitious, exciting and meaningful projects; developing, building and maintaining the vital infrastructure that supports national economies and strengthens communities.

Why join us?

As if contributing to and supporting work that makes life better for millions wasn’t rewarding enough, we offer a full range of benefits too. You’ll have the freedom to shape the package that’s right for you and your life. Here are some of our key benefits:

- Smart working, giving you more flexibility such as staggered start and finish times, with up to 40% remote working, where roles allow.
- 25 days paid annual leave (pro rata)
- Family friendly policies which include 28 weeks full pay for maternity/adoption leave and four weeks full pay for paternity/partners leave
- Pension, share incentive plan, volunteering leave, recognition schemes and much more…

About us

Balfour Beatty Ground Engineering is one of the UK’s leading specialist geo-technical contractors, providing innovative piling and ground improvement solutions across all sectors.

Our comprehensive ground engineering capabilities, equipment and experience provide the solid foundations for infrastructure and buildings of any height, ranging from city skyscrapers to cross-country rail and road projects.

Diversity and inclusion

At Balfour Beatty we believe that diversity and inclusion are essential components of any successful, happy workplace. Through our Value Everyone Diversity and Inclusion Strategy and Action Plan, we are growing our diverse workforce and developing our inclusive culture where everyone is able to thrive and reach their full potential, regardless of their identity or background. To find out how we are making this a reality, visit www.balfourbeatty.com/diversityandinclusion

We are a Gold Award holder in the Ministry of Defence 'Employer Recognition Scheme' and actively encourage applications from Armed Forces personnel, veterans and reservists.

As a Disability Confident Employer, we are committed to working with people who have disabilities and long-term health conditions to remove barriers for them in obtaining employment. We are also committed to offering applicants with a disability an interview if they meet the minimum requirements for the role. For more info, visit: https://disabilityconfident.campaign.gov.uk/

We are looking to continually improve our resourcing process and ensure that it is fair and inclusive for all. If you have any feedback on the process, please share this with us at: candidaterecruitmentqueries@balfourbeatty.com