Purchasing Administrator

Job description

About the Company

Our client is a well-established and growing organisation operating within the construction and engineering sector. Due to continued expansion, they are seeking a highly organised and commercially minded Purchasing & Plant Coordinator to join their team.

This is an excellent opportunity for an individual with purchasing, procurement, plant administration, or construction industry experience to develop their career within a fast-paced and supportive environment. The role offers a unique blend of purchasing administration and plant cost management, providing broad exposure across operational and commercial functions.

The Role

Reporting to the Purchasing Manager and working closely with operational and senior leadership teams, the successful candidate will play a key role in supporting procurement activities while driving efficiencies within the company’s plant operations.

The position will involve day-to-day purchasing administration alongside responsibility for monitoring plant utilisation, expenditure, supplier performance, and cost-saving initiatives.

Key Responsibilities

Purchasing & Procurement Support

• Process purchase orders accurately and efficiently.
• Manage supplier invoices and resolve invoice-related queries.
• Maintain purchasing records, documentation, and procurement systems.
• Liaise with suppliers regarding pricing, availability, deliveries, and order status.
• Support the procurement of materials, plant equipment, and subcontracted services.
• Assist with supplier performance reviews and reporting activities.
• Coordinate with internal departments to ensure purchasing requirements are met.
• Provide administrative and operational support to the Purchasing Department.

Plant Coordination & Cost Management

• Monitor plant utilisation, performance, and associated costs across the business.
• Review plant expenditure and identify opportunities for cost reduction and operational efficiency.
• Support the negotiation and agreement of selected plant hire rates.
• Track plant-related spend against budgets and targets.
• Prepare plant performance reports and management updates.
• Work closely with site and operational teams to optimise plant allocation and utilisation.
• Assist in the delivery of plant management and cost-saving initiatives.

Reporting & Continuous Improvement

• Attend Purchasing, Management, and Director-level meetings as required.
• Present updates on plant-related projects, actions, and improvement initiatives.
• Track and report on agreed objectives and action plans.
• Produce detailed reports and data analysis to support decision-making.
• Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives across purchasing and plant functions.

Candidate Requirements

Essential

• Previous experience in a purchasing, procurement, plant administration, operations support, or similar role.
• Strong administrative and organisational skills with excellent attention to detail.
• Experience managing supplier relationships and resolving operational queries.
• Good commercial awareness and an interest in cost management.
• Strong analytical and reporting capabilities.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Self-motivated with a proactive and solutions-focused approach.

Desirable

• Experience within construction, engineering, utilities, infrastructure, or mechanical and electrical contracting environments.
• Knowledge of plant hire, fleet management, or construction equipment operations.
• Familiarity with procurement or ERP systems.
• Experience analysing operational costs and implementing efficiency improvements.

What’s on Offer?

• Opportunity to join a growing and successful business.
• Varied role with exposure to both procurement and commercial operations.
• Opportunity to contribute directly to cost-saving and efficiency initiatives.
• Supportive team environment with long-term career development prospects.
• Competitive salary and benefits package.