Job Information
Upstone Materials Assistant Buyer in Birmingham, United States
Assistant Buyer
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Date:26 Apr 2024
Location: Birmingham, GB, B19 3SD
Company: Colas
At Colas Rail, we have over one hundred years of experience in delivering major innovations across our sector. Every day, thousands of train run on tracks built or maintained by Colas Rail. We deliver on the challenges set by a rapidly changing railway environment - constantly seeking to adapt our behaviour and culture to not only meet and exceed the expectations of our customers and stakeholders, but to also continuously develop and support our people.
Mission
Working for our Midland Metro Alliance team, the Assistant Buyer role is to assist our delivery teams with a professional materials, plant and service supply.
Key Responsibilities
Identifying allocated purchasing activities to achieve best value for money:
Applying the five rights of purchasing and value for money criteria to any purchase of goods and services
Evaluating the purchases of goods and services on the basis of the total costs of ownership (or whole life costs)
Achieving value for money outcomes when spending the organisation’s money
Liaising with internal stakeholders to review and clarify requirements to ensure that value for money outcomes are achieved through the sourcing of goods or services
Negotiating with suppliers and customers to agree contract terms and relationships that will achieve the interests of the organisation
Creating savings and improve efficiencies through negotiations with suppliers
Assisting budget holders to capture savings that contribute to reductions in budgets
Assisting the Procurement Manager and Buyers to deliver against the annual savings plan by identifying, achieving and recording cost savings:
Comparing and evaluating quotations received from potential suppliers and dealing with any queries or concerns about completed documentation
Compiling timely and accurate invitations to tender taking into account the requirements of stakeholders
Promoting the use of competitive pricing with suppliers through monitoring prices and obtaining quotations when appropriate
Comparing historical prices with newly quoted prices and evaluating the reasons for any significant discrepancies and take appropriate action to secure competitive pricing
Analysing available data on the costs, prices, margins and mark ups of submitted process in order to negotiate competitive prices
Negotiating with suppliers to reduce prices whilst retaining or improving other aspects of value for money
Analysing data showing forecasts for actual expenditures and examine variances between forecasted and actual expenditures
Analysing reports and data on the quality of goods and services supplied and taking actions with suppliers or internal stakeholders to remedy and prevent defects
Person Specification
The job holder will have:
Experience of Procurement processes
Commercial awareness
Negotiating skills
Customer awareness
Presentation and meeting skills
Supply Chain management
Computer literacy-MS Office, Mentor, Access, Excel, Databases
Previous buying experience (minimum 2 years)
Literacy and numeracy
Knowledge of railway terminology and procedures
Good telephone manner
Excellent written communication
4 GCSEs inc. Maths and English
Appreciation of Health, Safety and Environmental requirements
PTS (desirable)
MCIPS qualified (or desirable)
Required to attend Competition Compliance training course.
What we offer
Competitive Salary
26 days annual leave (plus public holidays)
Industry leading Life Assurance
Healthcare Cash Plan
Wellbeing Employee Assistant Programme
Pension Scheme
Eye Care Vouchers
Long Service Award
Season Ticket Loan
Occupational Health Service
Colas Rail in the United Kingdom hold three core values: Care, Share and Dare. We take care of our employees, always ensuring safety is a top priority and we nurture our collective wellbeing. We share a passion for what we do, celebrate our achievements and value high standards like nowhere else. We dare to take on new challenges; we are one of the international leaders in our industry. We continually innovate and expand in new markets.
We value and encourage diversity in our workforce, regardless of background, disability, age, religion, or gender. As part of our aim to deliver quality services, we are committed to promoting equality and eliminating discrimination. We will create a workforce that is reflective of the communities we work and live in. We are committed to the Disability Confidence Scheme, and as such we operate a Guaranteed Interview Scheme.