Senior Buyer - #2189595

Job Title: Senior Buyer
Contract Type: Permanent
Salary: £50,068 (plus £3,600 car allowance) per annum
Working Hours: Full Time 37.5 Hours
Working Pattern: Monday to Friday
Location: Speke, Liverpool


If you share our values and are excited about making a significant impact at Riverside, please ensure you attach a current CV and covering letter. At Riverside we recruit to potential not just on skills and experience, so we encourage you to apply even if you don't meet all the essential criteria on the job description.


Please note that whilst we will accept applications on the basis of any form of valid legal permission to work in the UK, we will be surrendering the Riverside Sponsorship licence, so for the avoidance of doubt, we are unable to apply for any further sponsorships whether on behalf of existing colleagues or candidates.


The difference you will make as a Senior Buyer
To manage the supply chain in respect of material procurement and plant required for residential developments. Ensuring materials are competitively procured to budget, programme, and specification. Thereby contributing to effective operational delivery of housebuilding operations.


About you
We are looking for someone with
• Significant buying experience within the UK housebuilding or construction industry.
• Strong knowledge of residential building materials and supply chains
• Proven track record of negotiating commercial agreements and achieving cost savings.
• Excellent supplier relationship management skills


Why Riverside?
At Riverside, we’re a housing association with a difference – enhancing the everyday for all our customers. For 90 years, we’ve been revitalising neighbourhoods and supporting communities by providing the homes they need to live full, fulfilling and rewarding lives.
We have a portfolio of over 75,000 affordable residential and retirement homes across the UK. Our work ranges from homelessness services to social care, employment support to retirement living, and we need the best people on board to help us.
Working with us, you’ll enjoy:
• Competitive pay & generous pension
• 28 days holidays plus bank holidays
• Flexible working options available
• Investment in your learning, personal development and technology
• A wide range of benefits


Diversity and Inclusion at Riverside:
We are inclusive. At Riverside, we value diversity in all its forms. We foster a workplace where all individuals are respected, empowered, and heard. Our commitment to inclusivity drives our success and enriches the lives of our customers and colleagues.
Riverside is a Disability Confident Employer and operates a Guaranteed Interview Scheme for any applicant who declares they have a disability. If the applicant meets the minimum requirements for the role (as set out in the role profile and/or person specification) they will be guaranteed an interview.
This role also falls under our Ethnic Diversity guaranteed interview scheme. If you are Ethnically Diverse and demonstrate you meet the minimum criteria for the role you will be guaranteed an interview.


Applications may close before the deadline, so please apply early to be considered.


Role Profile
• Collaborate with other members of the development team to ensure that the interests of the business and customers are always considered in all decisions. Challenge bad behaviours in a constructive manner that do not align to this culture. Ensure that matters of cost are always considered and communicated to the development team. But not to the detriment of balancing programme, quality, customer satisfaction, and health and safety
• During the pre-development phase of a project, support land acquisition and pre-construction teams with budget pricing and contribute effectively to meetings ensuring that cost considerations are highlighted and communicated to the development team.
• Produce schedules of materials per house type from the core range of house types. Liaise with the Design Manager, Estimator and Head of Commercial on queries, or on suggested improvements to minimise waste and reduce cost.
• Liaise with the Estimator, Senior Quantity Surveyor and Head of Commercial on bible build costs. Ensure that details of material expenditure on live or recently completed developments is accurate. Anomalies on wastage or development specific specification costs should be clearly identified.
• Review the standard materials specification at regular intervals in conjunction with the Design Manager, Estimator, Senior Quantity Surveyor and the Senior Management Team.
• Assist Head of Commercial with negotiating material framework agreements and establish rebate arrangements to reduce standard costs and maximise profitability. Negotiate competitive rates for best value and ensure that a cost benefit exercise is undertaken when considering products. Cost reduction should be a key consideration but not to the detriment of balancing programme, quality, customer satisfaction, and health and safety. Liaise with riverside’s group procurement team to identify any existing group buying arrangements that could be accessed if suitable.
• Assist with the production of site start budgets ensuring material allowances are in line with cost plan allowances. Maximise profitability and where required assist with value engineering to ensure developments remain viable but without compromising build quality and health and safety.
• Prepare tenders for materials ensuring information and tender inclusions are accurate and appropriate to the development. Undertake a detailed review of tender returns to ensure that materials are procured in line with cost plan allowances and site start budgets. Ensure all material suppliers are compliant with company policies and possess the required health and safety and...