Buyer

South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust

Exeter

Hybrid

GBP 28,000 - 31,000

Full time

32 hours ago

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Benefits offered by this job

Competitive NHS salary

37.5 hours per week

27 days annual leave + holidays

Generous Pension Scheme

Career progression

Car leasing scheme

Free parking across Trust sites

Staff networks

Discounts across the UK

Job summary

The South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust is seeking a Buyer to join our Procurement Team for up to 9 months to cover maternity leave. You will raise and process purchase orders, support quotation and tender exercises, maintain records and ensure compliance with Trust policies.

This role offers hybrid working with home working and fortnightly Exeter HQ attendance; interviews will be held in Exeter.

Qualifications

GCSEs in English and Maths required.
Fully MCIPS qualified or working towards Foundation Level CIPS.
Previous administration experience.
Experience of handling sensitive and confidential data.
Experience in developing and maintaining record systems.
Procurement knowledge in NHS/public sector environment.

Responsibilities

Raising and processing purchase orders, ensuring requisitions are complete, appropriately authorised, and compliant with Trust policies and procedures.
Supporting quotation, tendering, and contract award activities, including preparation and administration of procurement documentation.
Acting as a first point of contact for procurement enquiries, providing advice to Trust staff and suppliers.
Supporting supplier onboarding and registration processes, ensuring due diligence checks are completed.
Maintaining procurement records, contract information, supplier data, and filing systems.
Assisting with spend analysis, reporting, and management information for procurement planning.

Skills

Organisational skills

Customer-focused

Data handling

Administrative support

Communication skills

Education

GCSE English and Mathematics or equivalent

MCIPS qualification or Foundation Level CIPS

Job description

Main area Procurement Grade NHS AfC: Band 4 Contract Fixed term: 9 months (Temporary cover for Maternity Leave) Hours Full time - 37.5 hours per week Job ref 202-8272970

Employer South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust Employer type NHS Site Trust Headquarters Town Exeter Salary £28,392 - £31,157 per annum Salary period Yearly Closing 20/10/2026 23:59

Buyer

NHS AfC: Band 4

Job overview

Are you an organised and customer-focused individual looking to develop a career in Procurement within the NHS?

We are seeking a Buyer to join our friendly and supportive Procurement Team for up to 9 months to cover maternity leave.

This is an excellent opportunity to gain experience across a wide range of procurement activities while helping to support services that contribute to patient care across the South West.

Working with colleagues, suppliers and stakeholders across the Trust, you will support the procurement of goods and services, raise and process purchase orders, assist with quotation and tender exercises, maintain procurement and contract records, and help ensure compliance with Trust policies and procedures. You will also support supplier onboarding, manage procurement enquiries, undertake spend analysis, and contribute to continuous improvement within the procurement function.

This role would suit someone with strong administrative, organisational and communication skills who enjoys problem-solving, working with data, and building effective working relationships. Whether you already have procurement experience or are looking to start a career in the profession, we offer training, development opportunities and support towards professional procurement qualifications.

The team operates a hybrid working arrangement, with home working and attendance at Trust Headquarters in Exeter once every fortnight on a Wednesday.

Interviews will take place in person in Exeter.

Main duties of the job

Raising and processing purchase orders, ensuring requisitions are complete, appropriately authorised, and compliant with Trust policies and procedures
Supporting quotation, tendering, and contract award activities, including the preparation, collation, and administration of procurement documentation
Acting as a first point of contact for procurement enquiries, providing advice and guidance to Trust staff and suppliers
Supporting supplier onboarding and registration processes, ensuring appropriate due diligence checks are completed
Maintaining procurement records, contract information, supplier data, and filing systems to ensure information is accurate, secure, and accessible
Assisting with spend analysis, reporting, and the production of management information to support procurement planning and decision making
Supporting contract management activities, including supplier performance monitoring, contract reviews, and contract renewals
Challenging non-contracted spend where appropriate and supporting initiatives that promote value for money and compliance with Standing Financial Instructions
Developing effective working relationships with stakeholders across the Trust to promote good procurement practice and ensure business needs are met
Contributing to continuous improvement initiatives, helping to enhance procurement processes, systems, and ways of working
Developing procurement knowledge and skills through training, learning, and professional development opportunities

Working for our organisation

Working for us is an experience like no other. We provide emergency and urgent care, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, operating across the largest ambulance region in England and responding to an average of 2,650 incidents every day.

We remain committed to ensuring that we provide the best possible care for all our patients, which is reflected in our new five-year strategy which has continually improving patient care at its very core.

The role is based in Exeter, one of the most vibrant, attractive and historically interesting cities in England, with excellent transport links and a great mix of independent shops, cafes and bars.

If you embody our values of one team, compassionate and innovative and are looking to make a real difference to peoples’ lives, then we would love to hear from you.

In return we will equip you with the skills and resources you need to thrive in your role.

You will have opportunities to progress to roles across the Trust and enjoy continuous professional development.

Competitive NHS salary
A standard working week of 37.5 hours
Holiday entitlements of 27 days per year, plus general and public holidays, rising to 29 days after 5 years and 33 days after 10 years
Pay enhancements for out of hours, shift and overtime working
Generous Pension Scheme
Career and salary progression
Car leasing scheme
Free parking across Trust sites
Staff networks
Wide range of discounts from various organisations across the UK

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

For further information about this role please see the attached job description and person specification.

Right to work / Certificate of sponsorship

This role does not meet the criteria for Skilled Worker visa sponsorship under current Home Office regulations. You must have the existing right to work in the UK to be considered for this position.

For further information on visa sponsorship and eligibility, please refer to the UK Government guidance on Skilled Worker visas: www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa

Person specification