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Job summary

Main area
Finance
Grade
NHS AfC: Band 5
Contract
Permanent
Hours
Full time - 37.5 hours per week (Hybrid working model - working from home and in the office)
Job ref
409-6168211-A
Employer
Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust
Employer type
NHS
Site
Knowsley Community College
Town
Liverpool
Salary
£28,407 - £34,581 per annum, pro rata
Salary period
Yearly
Closing
10/07/2024 23:59

Employer heading

Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust logo

Senior Buyer

NHS AfC: Band 5

Job overview

The post holder will assist the Associate Director of Procurement , their Deputy and the E-Procurement Manager in delivery of an efficient and effective procurement service.  There is an expectation that this will be achieved by the application of original thinking and effective management of resources.

 

Main duties of the job

To secure for customers the purchase of supplies, which represent best value for money in the context of price and quality, which should be consistent with need as and when, required.

Interview Date - TBC

Interview maybe include an assessment 

Working for our organisation

The Trust delivers acute hospital care, intermediate care, community, and primary care services to a population of over 600,000 people with a combined workforce of around 9000 dedicated and skilled staff from 17 locations including Whiston, Southport & Formby, St Helens, Ormskirk and Newton hospitals.

The Trust provides regional services for burns, plastic surgery and spinal injuries to more than 4 million people across Mersey and West Lancashire, Cheshire, the Isle of Man and North Wales.

Our Vision is to deliver 5 Star Patient Care:

  • CARE that is evidence based, high quality and compassionate
  • ​​​​​​SAFETY that is of the highest standards
  • COMMUNICATION that is open, inclusive and respectful
  • SYSTEMS that are efficient, patient centred and reliable
  • PATHWAYS that are best practice and embedded, but also respect the individual needs of patients

Our achievements include:

  • Trust rated Outstanding by CQC Inspection August 2018
  • Top 100 places to work in the NHS (NHS Employers & Health Service Journal)
  • Awarded National Preceptorship Accreditation (2023) for our Nursing & AHP Preceptorship Programme

Please see our Wellbeing & Benefits booklet for more information on our staff benefits. Accessible version available upon request.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

KEY DUTIES

  • The post holder will be expected to contribute ideas and proposals which demonstrate objective thought and be capable of persuading staff and users of the service as to the relevance of any proposals.  The post holder will be required to manage change as the systems and procedures within the Department are adapted and developed.
  • To assist in the procurement aspects of Capital Schemes as required.  This will involve assisting in the identification and specification of equipment leading to actual purchase.
  • The post holder will need to be well informed and understand markets and the factors which influence cost so as to secure the best value for money in a dynamic supply situation and to provide customers with appropriate advice and guidance. The post holder will need to develop strategies to ensure that they are able to understand these factors in the application of specific projects and ideas.
  • Utilising appropriate purchasing arrangements/contracts provided by Purchasing Organisations including (but not limited to) CCS, NHS Supply Chain, HTE and NHS SBS as part of the procurement service they provide to the Trust.
  • The post holder will be expected to assist in the introduction of new methods of delivering service which challenge accepted procedures and methodologies and reduce the cost of service delivery to both the Department and our customers and report these savings to the Deputy Head of Procurement.
  • The post holder will be expected to implement policies and procedures as they apply to duties and responsibilities.  In particular the post holder needs to ensure compliance with Corporate Governance, Health & Safety and Standing Financial Instructions.  Compliance with the Trust Code of Conduct for Staff will be a requirement of this post.  This duty will be given priority when taking up post as it will influence all other duties and responsibilities.
  • Assist with the production of specifications, information or estimates required by CCS, NHS Supply Chain, HTE and NHS SBS to assist them in the provision of procurement service to the Trust.
  • The post holder will be expected to understand and apply IT techniques to achieve targets.  Working with the departments managers the post holder will be expected to apply the recommendations of the Procurement Strategy in so far as they relate to IT
  • Contribute to the maintenance of supplier catalogues and be aware of directories and other sources of information which will assist procurement.
  • To be responsible for any other relevant duties assigned by the Head of Purchasing & Supplies or their Deputy.                                                 

CLINICAL & PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Full CIPS member

ADMINISTRATIVE RESPONSIBILITIES

  • The post holder will be responsible for the continued upkeep of the departmental quotation register. They will also be responsible for the management of all purchases requiring quotation exercises that are valued between £10,000 and £50,000, ensuring best value for money is obtained and any appropriate legislation is adhered to.
  • Management of procedures register
  • Ensure all finance reports are submitted on time
  • Ensure the Buying Team adhere to all SFI’s

TEACHING & TRAINING RESPONSBILITIES

  • Participate in Training and Education initiatives to assist both personal development and the development of staff for whom the post holder has management responsibilities.  Training may also involve customers to ensure that they are able to benefit from system developments as they are introduced.

LINE MANAGEMENT/SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

  • To manage staff, cultivate a team approach and ensure that they make the most effective contribution to the service offered by the Department.  Ensure that all staff are appropriately motivated and supported. 
  • Undertake appraisals
  • Undertake return to work interviews

FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

  • Ensure adherence to Trust SFIs
  • Clear understanding of financial governance processes

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential criteria
  • Educated to GCSE level or above and/or equivalent qualification
  • CIPS Level 6 or evidence of near completion and/or relevant experience
Desirable criteria
  • ECDL and/or equivalent qualification

Knowledge and Experience

Essential criteria
  • Experience of Microsoft Office (ie be able to do ‘pivots’ and ‘look ups
  • Experience of working in a procurement department
  • Significant experience of line managing a team including setting objectives, conducting appraisals etc
  • Knowledge and experience of electronic purchase order systems
  • Knowledge and experience of EU Procurement- having assisted or worked on OJEU tenders

Skills

Essential criteria
  • Demonstrates ability to motivate team performance to achieve objectives
  • Ability to plan and prioritise workload
  • Ability to co-ordinate work
  • Ability to adhere to confidentiality
  • Able to be flexible in approach to working hours
  • Good communication skills – in an often busy and unpredictable environment - verbal, written, IT
  • Good time management skills
  • Able to work under own initiative and be innovative

Other

Essential criteria
  • Ability to travel various hospital locations by own car/ assisted driver
  • Commitment to self-development

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Apprenticeships logoNo smoking policyJob share policyAge positiveDisability confident leaderHSJ Best places to workMindful employer.  Being positive about mental health.Care quality commission - OutstandingStep into healthDefence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) - Gold

Applicant requirements

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Documents to download

Apply online now

Further details / informal visits contact

Name
Jessica Crolla
Job title
Deputy Head of Procurement
Email address
[email protected]
Telephone number
01514787689
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