Subcontract Buyer

Subcontract Buyer

Location: Sussex (Hybrid Working)
Region: Southern
Business Unit: Environment
Contract: Permanent, Full Time

About Us

Galliford Try is one of the UK's leading construction and infrastructure businesses, delivering vital projects across the water, environment, highways, education and healthcare sectors.

Our Environment Business specialises in delivering essential infrastructure that keeps the UK's water and environmental systems operating efficiently and sustainably. Working with all 13 major UK water companies, we help tackle the challenges of ageing infrastructure, climate resilience and increasing environmental regulation.

As part of our continued growth, we're investing heavily in our supply chain capability to support the delivery of AMP8 and some of the UK's largest water infrastructure programmes.

Our Procurement Team

Our supply chain partnerships are central to our success. We work collaboratively with suppliers and subcontractors to deliver value, innovation, sustainability and long-term project success.

This role offers the opportunity to support the delivery of Southern Water's AMP8 investment programme , with an anticipated order book exceeding £1.2bn , making it one of the most significant water infrastructure programmes in the UK.

You'll join a highly respected procurement team with exposure to major infrastructure projects, strategic supplier relationships and excellent long-term career development opportunities.

Purpose of the Role

We are seeking an experienced Subcontract Buyer to join our Southern Region Procurement team.

Working closely with project, commercial and operational teams, you will manage the end-to-end procurement of subcontract packages across major water infrastructure projects. You will play a key role in developing procurement strategies, managing tender processes, mitigating supply chain risks and ensuring best value is achieved throughout the procurement lifecycle.

This is an excellent opportunity to work on high-value AMP8 projects while contributing to the ongoing success of one of the UK's leading infrastructure businesses.

What You'll Be Doing

As a Subcontract Buyer, you will:

- Manage the full subcontract procurement lifecycle from strategy development through to subcontract award and execution.
- Procure a wide range of subcontract packages, including civil engineering, mechanical, electrical and specialist engineering services.
- Develop procurement strategies in collaboration with project, commercial and operational teams.
- Prepare tender enquiries, undertake evaluations and produce recommendation reports.
- Support project teams in forecasting procurement requirements, managing lead times and mitigating supply chain risks.
- Ensure compliance with Galliford Try procurement procedures, governance requirements and delegated authorities.
- Manage procurement schedules and support project delivery programmes.
- Facilitate smooth handovers to commercial teams following subcontract award.
- Support supplier relationship management and supply chain performance initiatives.
- Promote innovation, sustainability, social value and carbon reduction opportunities throughout the supply chain.
- Support early supply chain engagement and market testing activities to identify capacity, capability and innovation opportunities.
- Provide guidance and support to Assistant Buyers and junior team members.

About You

We're looking for a commercially aware procurement professional who can build strong supplier relationships, manage complex procurement activities and deliver value across major infrastructure projects.

You will be organised, proactive and comfortable working with a wide range of stakeholders across procurement, commercial and operational functions.

Essential Skills & Experience

- Experience managing subcontract procurement within construction, infrastructure, utilities or engineering environments.
- Strong understanding of subcontract tendering and procurement processes.
- Excellent commercial awareness and ability to undertake tender and cost analysis.
- Strong stakeholder management and communication skills.
- Ability to manage multiple procurement activities simultaneously.
- Good understanding of contract formation and subcontract administration principles.
- Experience working collaboratively with project delivery and commercial teams.
- Strong governance, compliance and attention to detail.
- Advanced Microsoft Office skills, particularly Excel.
- Experience using procurement, ERP or contract management systems such as: COINS
- SAP
- Oracle
- Ivalua
- Similar procurement platforms

Desirable Experience

- Experience working within the UK water sector or regulated utility environments.
- Experience supporting major infrastructure or AMP framework projects.
- CIPS qualified or actively working towards MCIPS accreditation.
- Experience leading procurement strategy discussions at project level.
- Knowledge of sustainability, social value and supply chain improvement initiatives.

What You'll Bring

- Strong organisational and planning skills.
- A collaborative and relationship-driven approach.
- Commercial judgement and problem-solving ability.
- The confidence to engage with suppliers and senior stakeholders.
- A commitment to delivering best-value procurement outcomes.
- Alignment with Galliford Try's values of Excellence, Passion, Integrity and Collaboration (EPIC).

Why Join Us?

This is an opportunity to play a key role in delivering one of the UK's largest water infrastructure investment programmes.

You'll join a forward-thinking procurement team, work alongside experienced industry professionals and gain exposure to strategic supply chain initiatives across major AMP8 projects.

Whether your ambition is to progress into Senior Buyer, Procurement Manager or strategic supply chain leadership roles, Galliford Try offers excellent career development opportunities and support.

What We Can Offer in Return

With a substantial AMP8 order book and long-term framework opportunities, Galliford Try offers stability, career development and the opportunity to work on projects that make a real difference to communities and the environment.

We are committed to supporting the wellbeing of our people through our Be Well programme, providing practical support, guidance and wellbeing resources.

We invest heavily in professional development and actively support procurement professionals working towards CIPS accreditation and career progression.

Our Agile Working programme provides flexibility in how, when and where you work, where business requirements allow.

Our Benefits

We put our people first and our benefits package reflects that by offering a comprehensive range of attractive options alongside a competitive salary.

- 28 days holiday plus bank holidays , increasing with length of service, with the opportunity to purchase additional leave
- Annual bonus scheme
- Car allowance or company car (where applicable)
- Comprehensive pension scheme
- Life assurance
- Private healthcare options
- Cycle to Work scheme
- Save As You Earn share purchase scheme
- Employee Assistance Programme providing free 24/7 support
- Corporate discount platform
- Paid CIPS membership and funded professional development support

About Us

Our purpose is to improve people's lives through building the facilities and infrastructure that communities need, providing opportunities for our people to learn, grow and progress, promoting best practice throughout our supply chain and caring for the environment in which we work.

We do this by living our values of Excellence, Passion, Integrity and Collaboration (EPIC) and striving to be the most respected business in our sector.

For more information on this role or to enquire about other opportunities within our business, please contact [email protected] .

Additional Information

Galliford Try welcomes applications from candidates who would like to work full-time, reduced hours or flexibly and this will be discussed in more detail as part of the recruitment process.

We encourage applications from individuals who may not meet every requirement but are motivated to learn, develop and grow within the role.

As a Disability Confident employer, we are committed to offering interviews to candidates with long-term health conditions or disabilities who meet the essential criteria for the role. Please contact the Resourcing Partner listed within the advert if you believe this applies to you.

A full job description is available upon request.

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