Durkin and Sons Power and Civil Engineers
Buyer (Central Procurement)
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Job title: Buyer (Central Procurement)
Reports to: Commercial Director Location: Office based (Portsmouth) with travel to project sites and suppliers as required Contract: Full time, permanent Salary & Package: Salary negotiable and reflective of experience Closing Date: 3rd August 2026
About Durkin & Sons
Durkin & Sons Ltd is an established power and civil engineering contractor working across the UK utility sector. Our work spans DNO and grid contracts, private networks, EHV interlinks and connections, ICP works, renewables and site establishment - including HV cable installation projects up to 132kV. We are an accredited business (ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 45001, NERS, Achilles UVDB and Constructionline Gold).
Role purpose
We are creating a single, central Buyer role to take ownership of purchasing across all of our projects. Working closely with the Commercial Director, project teams, plant department, and site staff, the Buyer will source and procure the materials, plant, equipment and subcontracted services our sites need - on time, at the right price and to the right standard. This is a hands-on, get-it-done role for someone who enjoys owning the full buying cycle and being the go-to point for procurement across the business.
Key responsibilities
- Act as the central point of contact for all purchasing across the company's projects.
- Support the estimating function with material pricing for bids and tenders.
- Work with project managers, quantity surveyors and site teams to understand requirements, lead times and delivery schedules, and keep sites supplied without delay.
- Source, obtain and compare quotations, and place purchase orders for materials, and consumables - including cable, ducting, jointing and civils materials.
- Negotiate pricing, terms and delivery with suppliers to secure best value while protecting quality and programme.
- Set up and manage call-off orders against supplier agreements.
- Negotiate and manage company supplier rebates on volume where required.
- Raise, issue and track purchase orders, assist those processing GRN and invoices, resolving discrepancies with suppliers and accounts. Amend Purchase Orders if required.
- For plant and equipment, the Plant Manager sources the requirement and the Buyer enters it into the system to raise the relevant purchase order, managing off-hire promptly to control cost.
- Interface with the plant department for consumables and bulk aggregate haulage.
- Raise the relevant purchase orders for subcontracts produced by the Commercial team.
- Procure muck away and recycling services.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with the existing supply chain and identify new, reliable suppliers where needed.
- Maintain accurate procurement records, pricing schedules and an approved supplier list.
- Review spend and carry out market analysis to inform buying decisions.
- Support the Commercial Director with supplier performance and buying data across projects.
- Ensure purchasing supports the company's quality, environmental and health & safety standards (ISO 9001 / 14001 / 45001).
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Skills & Experience
Essential
- Proven purchasing / buying experience, ideally within construction, civil engineering, utilities or a related supply chain.
- Confident, practical negotiator with a track record of delivering value from suppliers.
- Well organised and able to manage a high volume of orders across multiple projects at once.
- Strong communicator who can work directly with site teams, suppliers and commercial staff.
- Good numeracy and comfortable working with quotations, pricing and purchase order systems.
- Proficient with Microsoft Office (particularly Excel) and purchasing / accounts software.
- Self-starter who takes ownership and gets things done with minimal supervision.
- Full UK driving licence and willingness to travel to sites and suppliers as needed.
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Desirable
- Knowledge of electrical, power or HV/EHV materials and the utility supply chain.
- Familiarity with framework agreements, subcontract procurement and hire management.
Personal qualities
A driven individual who takes pride in keeping projects moving - proactive, commercially minded, calm under pressure and comfortable being the person the business relies on to get the right materials to the right place at the right time.
What we offer
Durkin & Sons is a growing business, and this is a key role in supporting that growth and delivering our business plan. You will work across both framework agreements and major projects, giving genuine variety to the role and the opportunity to develop as the company expands. You will have real ownership of purchasing across the business, working alongside an experienced and directly employed team.
Equal Opportunities
Durkin and Sons is an equal opportunities employer and is committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone is treated with dignity and respect. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation, in accordance with the Equality Act 2010. Any information collected during the recruitment process is used only for recruitment and equal opportunities monitoring purposes and is handled in accordance with applicable data protection legislation.
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Applicants are only required to disclose unspent criminal convictions where relevant to the role. Any criminal record information will be considered fairly, confidentially and only where it is relevant to the duties and responsibilities of the position. A criminal record will not automatically prevent an applicant from being considered for employment.
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