Company Buyer
| Posting date: | 10 January 2026 |
|---|---|
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 09 February 2026 |
| Location: | Liverpool, Liverpool |
| Company: | Riverside |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Job reference: | 5410 |
Summary
Job Title: Company Buyer
Contract Type: Permanent
Salary: £42,651.54 plus £3,600 car allowance per annum
Working Hours: 37.5 hours
Working Pattern: Monday to Friday-hybrid
Location: Prospect Housing, 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.
The difference you will make as a Company Buyer
To manage the supply chain in respect of material procurement. Ensuring materials are procured to budget, programme, and specification. Thereby contributing to effective operational delivery of housebuilding operations.
About you
We are looking for someone with
• Knowledge of relevant legislation and government regulations.
• Degree level or equivalent in a related discipline.
• Experience in a house building commercial position within an established house building organisation.
• Experience of managing budgets, commercial reporting, negotiation
• High commercial acumen with the ability to work at pace.
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
• 25 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.
Applications may close before the deadline, so please apply early to avoid disappointment.
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 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 the Senior Quantity Surveyor and Head of Commercial with negotiating material framework agreements including any rebate arrangements to reduce standard costs and maximise profitability. 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 environmental accreditations and insurances. Where new material suppliers are identified ensure they are set up on our system following process.
• Place orders with material suppliers in line with programme following the above tender process. Where variation orders are required from site process these in a timely manner. Ensure accurate records are kept and that the development Quantity Surveyor and Site Manager are informed of material order arrangements.
• Attend site regularly in addition to the monthly development team meetings. Deal with queries raised about materials and ensure that cost issues relating to materials are discussed and resolved. Contribute towards the risk register where applicable liaising with the wider development team.
• Ensure that material invoices received are reviewed for accuracy and payment raised accordingly in line with order terms. Deal with any payment queries raised by material suppliers in a timely manner.
• Contribute to the cost to complete reporting process liaising with the development Quantity Surveyor on material costs and allowances. Undertake a material on site reconciliation as part of this process in conjunction with the development Quantity Surveyor.
• Negotiate material price increases with supply chain to minimise cost increases. Where required procure new material suppliers and raise orders without impacting build programme. Liaise with the Senior Quantity Surveyor and the Head of Commercial on renegotiation of rates or issues affecting material framework arrangements.
• Develop and maintain good working relationships with the material supply chain. Keep up to date on key developments in the supply chain including any forecast price increases or availability constraints.
• Provide support to customer care on the provision of materials associated with repairs.
• Undertake any other duties deemed required by the Head of Commercial to ensure the effective operation of the business.
Person specification
Knowledge, Skills and Experience
Essential
• Knowledge of relevant legislation and government regulations.
• Degree level or equivalent in a related discipline.
• Experience in a house building commercial position within an established house building organisation.
• Experience of managing budgets, commercial reporting, negotiation
• High commercial acumen with the ability to work at pace.
• Excellent communication and influencing skills with a strong customer focus.
• Results driven with the ability to manage conflicting stakeholder priorities.
• Proactive approach with the capability to work flexibly and adapt to particular situations.
Desirable
• Evidence of continued professional development.
• Membership of a relevant professional organisation.