Procurement

Introduction to Procurement

There are two main functions within Procurement; Operational and Strategic. As an Operational Buyer, you will play a key role within the project team; working with the Architect and Design team to identify and create packages of work into the market to tender, where you will co-ordinate with the Supply Chain, Project Team and Consultants to ensure that Sub-Contracts are let at the best possible quality at the best possible price to promote added value across the project.  

As a Strategic buyer, you play a more central role for the whole function; reviewing & maintaining all group Preferred Supplier Agreements and Strategic Manufacturing Agreements. The Strategic buyer team also manages the Supply Chain Tier process, Performance Management, IT Procurement along with other financial administration.  

The business constructs a wide range of projects over a number of different sectors and it is the responsibility of the Procurement Department to identify and deliver LOR’s key initiatives through the Supply Chain, as they are the main interaction between the Supply Chain and LOR before a contract is awarded. 

The work required does not only cover the scope of construction works, but also to encourage that the Supply Chain will perform to the highest standards of Health and Safety, Quality, Sustainability, for example, as set by us. This ensures that the commercial aspirations of the project are realised and provides the best possible value to the business.

Procurement’s role requires interaction with the Planning function to ensure packages are secured in line with the project programme; the Design team to ensure that the Supply Chain fully understand the scope and design of the work required of them; and the Commercial function to fully understand the costs that have been allocated to that particular work.

Having Procurement as an integrated part of the project team, realises the technical and innovative potential that the supply chain can reach and form the right relationship. This ensures that the most collaborative work takes place once the subcontract has been awarded. Department members also ensure the most strategic relationships are secured with the top members of our supply chain, to only secure project stability and long-term business stability. 

Laing O’Rourke fully supports those wishing to gain Chartered status. The Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply (soon to be The Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply) is an exam-based qualification and graduates have full financial support by the business to study with CIPS certified schools and sit the exams required to pass levels 4, 5 and 6 (Diploma, Advanced Diploma and Professional Diploma).