Materials buyer construction industry

Materials Buyer ndash; construction industry The duties of a buyer include: Providing prices for all materials included in project plans and drawings Identifying potential suppliers and new products Contacting a range of suppliers and sub #x2010;contractors to obtain quotations Agreeing delivery times Keeping detailed records and maintaining well #x2010;organised work schedules Assessing the reliability of sub #x2010;contractors and suppliers Dealing effectively with challenges with suppliers and the flow of materials Ensuring compliance with the safety, health and environment requirements of materials and services Providing advice to the project estimator on the predicted cost of individual items Liaising closely with the estimator at the tendering stage to ensure that an accurate project cost is provided Preparing and maintaining cost reports in order to maximise efficiency within the business Negotiating and agreeing the most favourable terms possible with suppliers once a contract has been secured As a buyer, you will mainly work in an office, and can expect to work around 40 hours a week. Skills Additional skills which can be complementary to a buyer include: Knowledge and understanding of construction materials Good communication skills Strong maths and budgeting abilities Analytical thinking skills Negotiation skills