Buyer

NWSSP Legal & Risk Services; Swansea; Hybrid; GBP 24,000 - 27,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a dedicated Buyer to join their procurement team. This role involves supporting the Head of Procurement by managing orders, negotiating contracts, and ensuring compliance with procurement policies. The ideal candidate will thrive in a dynamic environment, demonstrating excellent customer service and attention to detail. With opportunities for flexible working and a commitment to continuous improvement, this position offers a chance to make a meaningful impact on the efficiency of services provided. If you are passionate about procurement and eager to contribute to a team that values innovation and inclusivity, this role is perfect for you.

Qualifications

• Experience in a busy office environment with basic purchasing principles.
• Ability to demonstrate understanding of stock control and customer care.

Responsibilities

• Support procurement processes and ensure compliance with policies.
• Negotiate non-compliant expenditure and assist in cost-saving initiatives.

Skills

Attention to detail

Time management

IT literacy

Customer service

Communication skills

Negotiation skills

Education

A Level qualification

NVQ Level 3

Advanced certificate in procurement and supply

Tools

Oracle Financial Management Systems

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Word

Job description

Main area Buyer Grade Band 3 Contract Permanent: English Hours Full time - 37.5 hours per week (Monday-Friday. Flexible working arrangements available with a blend of office and home working.) Job ref 043-AC245-1124-A

Site Neath Port Talbot Hospital Town Swansea Salary £24,433 - £26,060 per annum Salary period Yearly Closing Today at 23:59

Job overview

The post holder will support the Head of Procurement, and Central Sourcing Teams in providing a service through customer service and the processing of orders. Responsible for the purchase of selected goods and services in accordance with Procurement policies and procedures by obtaining and analysing quotations, processing orders/entering data in line with the COM, onto the computerised purchase order system achieving financial and performance targets. Assist in the acquisition of routine and non-routine goods and services for Health Board/Trust’s, recommending sources of supply and savings opportunities to customers, ensuring efficiency and demonstrating value for money in accordance with the Standing Orders/Standing Financial Instructions, EC Directives and all other relevant legislation. Undertake the negotiation of non-compliant Non Pay expenditure in accordance with Standing Orders/SFIs and all other relevant legislation, to ensure reduction in non-catalogue requests and increase in catalogue usage. Assisting the Procurement Business Relationship Team in the delivery of the Health Board’s/Trust’s Cost Improvement Non-Pay savings plans.

The ability to speak Welsh is desirable for this post; Welsh and/or English speakers are equally welcome to apply.

Main duties of the job

The successful candidate will have experience working in a busy office environment with an understanding of basic purchasing principles, will provide an efficient and professional customer service, which delivers ongoing cost efficiencies/benefits in line with the Procurement teams' objectives. A member of the Team, who will be required to adopt a flexible approach to any activities undertaken, which will require the exercise of initiative, although operating within procedural guidelines. Liaison with staff at all levels within the stakeholder organisations, other NHS staff and external suppliers.

Skills required for the role include attention to detail, working to deadlines (time management skills) and the understanding and use of multiple operating systems (IT literacy important).

Working for our organisation

At NHS Wales Shared Services Partnership we expect everyone to embrace our values of Listening and Learning, Working Together, Taking Responsibility and Innovating.

Our organisation encourages an agile working approach and we pride ourselves on being a learning organisation motivated by continuous improvement.

We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace that values equality, diversity and inclusion, focussing on the wellbeing and belonging of our people.

Excellent customer service is something we strive for, for both our internal and external customers.

NWSSP work in an agile way where possible, all posts will have a contractual base but as part of agile ways of working that may mean working from home and other locations. We also look at how we balance flexibility with community, and how to manage opportunities to learn from each other.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

You will be able to find a full Job description and Person Specification attached within the supporting documents or please click “Apply now” to view in Trac.

Person specification

Qualifications and Knowledge

• A Level qualification OR Educated to NVQ Level 3 OR Advanced certificate in procurement and supply OR Ability to demonstrate understanding of or has worked within a role that includes basic purchasing principles, stock control, and customer care
• Knowledge of Oracle Financial Management Systems.

Experience

• Experience in a busy office environment
• Previous NHS Finance and/ or Procurement experience
• Quality Assurance
• Use of Financial Management Systems
• Experience in a procurement function

Skills and Attributes

• Demonstrate confidence in using figures
• Ability to use a range of IT software packages such as Microsoft Excel & Word
• Effective time management and organisational skills
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Able to organise own and others workload efficiently.
• Ability to communicate with staff at all levels and disciplines in the organisation.
• Ability to work as a member of a team and own initiative.
• Capacity for sustained concentration.
• Ability to establish good relationships.
• Ability to deal with stressful situations and irate suppliers and to demonstrate customer care skills.
• Accurate with attention to detail
• Welsh Language Skills are desirable to level 3 in understanding, speaking, reading and writing in Welsh

Other

• Motivated
• Adaptable and Flexible approach to work
• Ability to travel across sites in a timely manner
• Willingness to undertake further studies and attend personal development courses
• Deliver excellent customer service to our internal and external customers, helping us to maintain the customer service excellence standard

We are committed to flexible working and equal opportunities.

If you are short listed for interview you will be contacted by email using the email address with which you registered. Please ensure that you check your email account regularly.

Prior consideration for this vacancy will be given to staff awaiting redeployment. We therefore reserve the right to withdraw this advert at any stage.

When applying for this post it is essential that you read the Job Description and Person Specification (where available) and demonstrate how your skills, knowledge and experience meet the requirements of the person specification. Only candidates who clearly demonstrate how they meet the person specification will be shortlisted.

To work in the UK, all candidates who are not UK or Republic of Ireland (RoI) nationals require sponsorship to obtain either a Health and Care visa or Skilled Worker visa , unless you have permission to work via another route. Non UK / RoI candidates wishing to apply should self-assess the likelihood of obtaining a Certificate of Sponsorship by visiting Work in the UK . If you are eligible for the Health and Care visa, application costs are lower and you do not need to pay the annual Immigration Health Surcharge.