Purchasing Officer Residential Construction Company (Hybrid Role) Location: Cobh (3 days office / 2 days WFH) Employment Type: Permanent Level: Experienced (3+ years in procurement, construction or residential development preferred) About the Opportunity A highly successful and expanding residential developer in Cork is seeking a Purchasing Officer to join the business in a newly created role.
This is a rare opportunity to build the purchasing function from the ground up, shaping systems, processes, supplier relationships, and procurement strategy as the company scales.
You will play a central role in ensuring cost-effective, timely, and high-quality procurement of materials, subcontract services, and project support items across multiple live and upcoming housing developments.
If youre a proactive, commercially minded procurement professional who enjoys autonomy, process creation, and driving best-practice standards this is the perfect next step.
Key Responsibilities Building the Purchasing Function Develop and implement procurement systems, workflows, templates, and policies from day one.
Introduce purchasing controls, approval pathways, coding structures, and reporting tools.
Support the future rollout of digital procurement or ERP-linked systems.
Procurement & Purchasing Source, select, and negotiate with suppliers and subcontractors across key residential trades and materials.
Prepare and issue purchase orders, ensuring accuracy in specifications, timelines, and pricing.
Manage supplier pricing, discounts, lead times, and framework agreements.
Assist with tendering for packages where required.
Build and maintain a strong supplier database.
Commercial & Cost Control Monitor cost trends and identify value-engineering opportunities.
Work closely with QS, site teams, and project managers to ensure budgets and procurement plans align.
Support cost forecasting and procurement reporting for senior management.
Supplier Management Develop strong working relationships with suppliers, manufacturers, and distributors.
Track supplier performance, quality, delivery reliability, and compliance.
Address queries, discrepancies, or delivery issues.
Internal Collaboration Liaise with site managers to ensure material delivery schedules support programme timelines.
Collaborate with finance to ensure accurate invoicing, reconciliations, and payment processing.
Communicate clearly between design, commercial, and construction teams regarding material choices, specifications, and alternatives.
About You Essential Experience Minimum 3 years experience in purchasing, procurement, or supply chain (construction/residential preferred).
Proven ability to set up and improve procurement processes.
Strong negotiation, analytical, and cost-control skills.
Excellent accuracy, organisation, and attention to detail.
Desirable Experience with residential building materials and subcontractor procurement.
Familiarity with purchasing or ERP systems.
Strong Excel skills and comfort working with data and reporting.
Personal Attributes Self-starter with the confidence to take ownership of a new function.
Strong communicator and relationship builder.
Commercially savvy and solutions-focused.
Enjoys autonomy, structure creation, and continuous improvement.