Salary: £35,000 – £38,000 per annum (Depending on Proven Experience)
Working Hours: Monday to Friday, 9:00 am – 5:30 pm (37.5 hours per week)
Contract Type: Full-time, Permanent
Location: Office-based Near Saxmundham (with occasional travel as required)
On behalf of our client, we are recruiting an experienced Building Materials Buyer to join a forward-thinking business that supports members across agricultural and rural sectors.
This is more than just a buying role — it’s an opportunity to shape a specialist portfolio, build long-term supplier relationships, and directly contribute to the value offered to members. You’ll play a key role in delivering cost-effective, high-quality building materials while providing trusted, impartial advice that makes a real difference.
What You’ll Be Doing
As the Building Materials Buyer, your role will span four key areas: commercial development, member support, administration and quality, and general team collaboration.
Commercial Development
- Identify new commercial opportunities and products to expand the building materials offering.
- Grow volume, turnover, and the surplus returned to members.
- Support supplier negotiations to secure the most competitive pricing and terms.
- Develop strong, mutually beneficial relationships with both new and existing suppliers.
- Monitor product trends and innovations to keep the business and its members ahead of the curve.
- Promote collaboration with other departments to cross-sell related products and services.
- Manage daily purchasing enquiries from members across all building materials categories.
- Provide accurate, unbiased product advice tailored to individual member needs.
- Keep members informed about new or alternative products and market developments.
- Ensure all enquiries are handled efficiently and professionally, meeting or exceeding expectations.
- Design and deliver offers that are fit for purpose and aligned with member requirements.
- Support strategic planning for the building materials category alongside the Head of Department.
- Attend member events and site visits as needed (occasionally outside standard hours).
- Accurately process and track member orders from initial enquiry through to invoicing.
- Maintain comprehensive records of supplier transactions, pricing, and meetings.
- Resolve order or invoice queries promptly in line with internal procedures.
- Contribute to monthly reporting and member communications.
- Uphold quality standards and escalate any concerns to the relevant teams.
- Support colleagues across departments
- Maintain a professional and proactive approach, both in the office and when representing the business externally.
- Participate in team meetings, internal discussions, and supplier visits.
- Identify opportunities for personal development and training.
- Contribute to a positive, supportive working environment.
Experience
- Proven experience in procurement or buying — ideally within the construction or building materials sector.
- Solid knowledge of construction materials, supplier networks, and market pricing.
- Demonstrated ability to negotiate favourable terms and build trusted supplier relationships.
- Highly organised and detail oriented.
- Excellent communicator — confident in handling enquiries, negotiating, and influencing.
- Strong commercial awareness and analytical thinking.
- Proactive, self-motivated, and adaptable in a fast-paced environment.
- Collaborative team player with a hands-on, positive approach.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities and maintain accuracy under pressure.
You’ll be joining an organisation that genuinely looks after its people and believes in rewarding hard work. Benefits include:
- £35,000 – £38,000 salary (Depending on Proven Experience)
- Hybrid working – up to 2 days per week from home (After 6 months probationary period has been completed)
- 7% non-contributory pension
- 22 days holiday + bank holidays (rising with service)
- Healthcare cash plan
- Life insurance – 4x salary
- Company sick pay
- Enhanced maternity & paternity benefit
- Income protection for long-term illness
- Interest-free personal loan (up to £5,000)
- Eye test and glasses contribution (up to £100)
- Cycle to Work Scheme
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Paid company social events, birthday leave & volunteer days
If you’re looking for a role where you can use your procurement skills to make a tangible difference — while enjoying excellent benefits and being part of a collaborative, supportive team — this could be the perfect next step.
To find out more or to put yourself forward, please contact Katie Dobson at Select Recruitment.