Graduate Buyer & Estimator

Graduate Buyer & Estimator Loughborough, Leicestershire | Full time | Permanent £25,000 starting salary, with strong progression after 6-12 months based on performance and developmentAbout the Company A well-established specialist contractor operating within the UK construction industry. With decades of experience, they work alongside leading main contractors to deliver interior building solutions on a wide range of commercial, residential and mixed-use developments. Known for their quality, reliability and long-standing client relationships, they are continuing to grow and are now looking to strengthen their pre-construction team with a Junior/Assistant Buyer & Estimator.The Opportunity This is an excellent opportunity for a graduate or early-career professional looking to develop a career in estimating, procurement, quantity surveying or commercial management. Working within the pre-construction team, you'll support projects from initial tender enquiry through to procurement and material delivery. You'll learn how to analyse construction drawings, measure and quantify work using specialist take-off software, build detailed cost estimates and create bills of quantities that form the basis of client quotations. Once projects are secured, you'll transition into the buying function, developing material schedules, negotiating prices with suppliers, placing orders and ensuring materials are delivered to site on time and within budget.Key ResponsibilitiesEstimating\n

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• Reviewing tender enquiries, drawings and technical specifications.
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• Identifying missing information and raising technical queries with main contractors.
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• Using specialist take-off software to measure wall lengths, ceilings and other construction elements from drawings.
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• Producing accurate quantity take-offs and calculating material, labour and installation costs.
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• Preparing bills of quantities, pricing schedules and supporting competitive tender submissions.
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Buying & Procurement\n

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• Creating material schedules and master ordering schedules from completed bills of quantities.
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• Negotiating prices and agreements with suppliers to achieve best value.
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• Managing procurement of materials and ancillary products, including placing orders and coordinating deliveries.
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• Ensuring site deliveries are correctly booked into management systems and resolving supply issues, delays and discrepancies.
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• Monitoring project spend, material savings and waste performance to support cost control and efficiency.
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• Producing project close-out reports and procurement summaries.
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The role will also involve relationship management & business development by building strong supplier and contractor relationships, identifying process improvements, and contributing ideas that support business growth, sustainability, and continuous improvement.About You We're looking for someone who is:\n

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• Confident and professional communication with customers and suppliers.
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• Comfortable working with numbers, calculations and spreadsheets.
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• A strong and organised problem solver who enjoys finding practical solutions.
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• Commercially minded and interested in construction businesses project work.
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• Proactive and willing to contribute new ideas.
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• Keen to build a long-term career within the construction industry.
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Qualifications & Skills We welcome applicants with relevant industry experience or education, such as a degree in Quantity Surveying, Construction Management, Engineering, Business Management, Mathematics, Economics, or other related disciplines. You'll also ideally have:\n

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• Strong Microsoft Excel skills.
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• The ability to interpret technical information and drawings (desirable but not essential).
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• Previous placement, internship or industry experience (advantageous but not required).
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• A full UK driving licence or willingness to obtain one.
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If you're a motivated graduate or early-career professional looking for a role that combines commercial thinking, technical problem-solving, relationship building and project coordination, we'd love to hear from you.