Purchasing Assistant - Civil Engineering
Location: Taunton
Role Overview
An office-based position with a strong focus on purchasing, procurement and materials coordination, supporting the smooth and efficient running of the company's Service and Construction operations.
The successful candidate will take responsibility for the day-to-day purchasing of materials, parts and equipment required for a varied programme of service and construction works. This will include planned preventative maintenance (PPM), reactive maintenance, rectification works, commissioning and larger project-based activities.
Working closely with engineers, operational teams and suppliers, the role will involve sourcing materials, raising purchase orders, monitoring deliveries, maintaining stock levels and ensuring materials are available when required.
There will also be some responsibility for managing the Service Department stores, alongside providing holiday cover for the Operations Assistant within the Construction Department.
Key Responsibilities
Purchasing & Procurement
- Manage the day-to-day purchasing of materials, components, equipment and parts for service and construction projects.
- Source materials from suppliers, obtaining quotations and comparing costs to ensure competitive purchasing.
- Raise, process and monitor purchase orders, ensuring accuracy and timely placement.
- Liaise with suppliers to confirm pricing, availability, lead times and delivery schedules.
- Track outstanding orders and proactively chase deliveries to ensure materials arrive in line with operational requirements.
- Build and maintain positive working relationships with suppliers and subcontractors.
- Identify opportunities to improve purchasing efficiency, value for money and supplier performance.
- Coordinate material requirements with engineers and operational teams to ensure jobs are adequately resourced.
Stores & Stock Control
- Oversee the management of the Service Department stores.
- Maintain appropriate stock levels and ensure materials are available when required.
- Undertake regular stock checks and stock takes.
- Receive and inspect deliveries, checking quantities and quality against purchase orders.
- Prepare and pick materials and equipment for upcoming service and construction works.
- Maintain an organised and efficient warehouse environment.
Operational Support
- Arrange the delivery of parts and materials to engineers as required.
- Provide purchasing and operational support to the Service and Construction teams.
- Assist with fleet management activities when required.
- Provide holiday cover for the Construction Department's Operations Assistant.
Additional Responsibilities - Desirable
- Assist with the preparation of Construction Phase Plans for service and construction projects.
- Compile site resource packs, including contracts, health and safety documentation and technical information.
Skills & Qualifications
Essential
- Previous experience in a purchasing, procurement, buying or materials coordination role.
- Understanding of purchasing processes, including raising purchase orders and dealing with suppliers.
- Good communication and negotiation skills.
- Experience or awareness of stock control, warehousing, stock takes and materials picking.
- Ideally, experience within construction, plumbing, mechanical services or a builders' merchant environment.
- Good organisational skills and strong attention to detail.
- Full, valid UK driving licence.
Personal Attributes
- Reliable, responsible and commercially aware.
- Organised, methodical and able to prioritise competing purchasing requirements.
- Proactive in sourcing materials and resolving supply issues.
- Confident communicating and building relationships with suppliers and internal teams.
- Able to work independently and manage multiple orders and deadlines.
- Practical, adaptable and willing to assist with wider operational requirements.
David@PPM Recruitment on 0121 450 8950