Assistant Quantity Surveyor

Job Title: Assistant Quantity Surveyor (QS) Employment Type: Permanent, Full-Time Reporting To: Quantity Surveyor Location: Chelmsford Office Role Overview: You will be working in tandem with a Quantity Surveyor, offering vital support in purchasing and administrative duties linked to specific projects. This is an in-office role, requiring your presence five days a week. Key Responsibilities: Main Duties: * Material Procurement: Manage the procurement of building materials from schedules, as well as bracketry and metalwork from drawings. This includes tendering, ensuring timely receipt of quotes, quote analysis, budget tracking, supplier negotiations, and preparing purchase orders. * Schedule Management: Maintain and update procurement schedules in Excel, track upcoming releases, and ensure timely follow-ups with suppliers. * Supplier Coordination: Monitor supplier lead times and ensure that deliveries are on schedule. * Material Tracking: Use an Excel-based materials management schedule to track orders from placement to site arrival, including details like location, dates, delivery notes, pallet/stillage references, and photos. * Issue Resolution: Address reactive procurement challenges such as missing materials or urgent site requests, coordinating with the team to resolve issues efficiently. * Project Team Liaison: Maintain close coordination with project teams throughout the procurement process. * Variation Pricing: Assist the Quantity Surveyor in pricing variations by obtaining and comparing supplier quotes. * Financial Processes: Support the QS with monthly applications, vesting processes, and on-site installation record tracking. * Budget Monitoring: Conduct budgeting exercises prior to the final design release and monitor budgets as the project progresses, including forecasting future costs for items like plant and materials. Success Criteria: * Timely and accurate completion of all assigned tasks. * Clear and effective communication with colleagues, especially regarding project timelines and task expectations. * Continuously challenge existing processes, seeking ways to enhance efficiency. * Ensure that the company’s terms take precedence over suppliers’ terms, safeguarding the company’s interests. * Willingly undertake any reasonable project tasks as directed. Skills & Attributes: * Exceptional attention to detail. * Highly organized, diligent, and proactive. * Honest and transparent in communication. * Strong listening skills and the ability to communicate clearly. * A reliable team player, capable of working under pressure and meeting tight deadlines. * Strong negotiation and dispute resolution abilities. * Good financial acumen and numeracy skills. * Proficient in IT. Experience: * Some experience in the construction industry is required, with at least one year in a similar role being ideal. Qualifications: * A minimum of 5 GCSEs with grades ranging from A-C or 5-9. Training: * On-the-job training will be provided as standard. * Additional relevant training opportunities can be considered. Our Core Values: * Caring: We value the vision of our team, clients, and their projects, respecting and considering the needs of everyone we work with. * Collaborative: We build trust by listening carefully and promoting open communication. We connect stakeholders at all levels to achieve the best results. * Committed: Our passion and dedication drive us to go above and beyond in our work. * Creative: We constantly learn, evolve, and challenge the status quo to improve our methods and outcomes