Buyer

Bristol NHS Foundation Trust; West of England; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 36,000; Full time

Job summary

Bristol NHS Foundation Trust in Bristol is seeking a proactive Buyer to support BWPC's category teams and deliver high-quality NHS procurement services across two major trusts in the Bristol region.

You will manage transactional purchasing, create and maintain product catalogues, and work with suppliers and clinical staff to deliver cost-effective solutions that meet patient needs efficiently. Interviews week starting 24-Aug-2026.

Qualifications

• Experience in analysing data to present in chart or report form.
• Experience of customer and supplier relationship management practices.
• Proficient communication and presentation skills.
• Confident stakeholder management abilities.

Responsibilities

• Create and manage product catalogues and purchase orders across multiple categories.
• Maintain accurate procurement records and data for reporting and audits.
• Engage with suppliers to resolve delivery delays and payment queries.
• Collaborate with clinical and non-clinical teams to support service delivery.
• Identify opportunities to streamline purchasing workflows and improve efficiency.

Skills

Data analysis

Customer relationships

Communication skills

Stakeholder management

Education

Professional registration

Job description

Education / Training / Qualifications

Desirable criteria

North Bristol NHS Trust (NBT) and University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust (UHBW) have merged as of 1st July 2026 to become Bristol NHS Foundation Trust. This creates an exciting future that brings together the best of both organisations. As a single, strong and sustainable organisation, we will not only be able to deliver better outcomes for our patients and fairer care for our population, but it will also provide greater opportunities for our people.

Bristol NHS Foundation Trust recognise the value of a healthy work-life balance. When applying, speak to us about how we might be able to accommodate flexible working, so your work life fits around your home life.

We particularly welcome applications from Black, Asian and minority ethnic candidates as they are under-represented within the Trust.

Our job adverts may close as soon as sufficient applications have been received. Considering this, if you are interested in this role, please do apply as soon as you can.

Generative artificial intelligence (AI) describes algorithms that can be used to produce new content, including audio, code, images, text, simulations, and videos. It is developing all the time and is now being used as a support mechanism for all kinds of content-based creations. Please note the use of AI is monitored and if applicants have used it then they are required to declare this.

Job Overview

Join BWPC as a Buyer – Make a Meaningful Impact in NHS Procurement

Are you ready for a new challenge in a dynamic and evolving procurement environment? Bristol & Weston NHS Purchasing Consortium (BWPC) is looking for a motivated and detail-oriented Buyer to support our category teams and help deliver high-quality procurement services to two major NHS Trusts in the Bristol region.

This is an exciting opportunity to be part of a forward-thinking team that plays a vital role in supporting clinical services through strategic purchasing and sustainable procurement practices.

Why Join BWPC?

• Be part of a collaborative and supportive team
• Work in a fast-paced environment where your contributions make a real difference
• Gain exposure to a wide range of stakeholders and procurement activities
• Help shape the future of NHS procurement

Your Role

As a Buyer, you’ll be responsible for managing the transactional acquisition of products, ensuring cost-effective purchasing and a smooth purchase-to-pay process. You’ll work closely with suppliers and internal stakeholders to meet clinical needs efficiently and professionally.

Interviews are planned to take place on the week commencing 24-Aug-2026

Main duties of the job

Key Responsibilities

• Purchasing Execution: Create and maintain catalogues and purchase orders, source ad-hoc and transactional products.
• Administrative Excellence: Maintain accurate procurement data and records to support efficient operations.
• Supplier Relationship Management: Collaborate with suppliers to address market pressures, delivery timelines, and supply issues.
• Customer Relationship Management: Ensure a seamless buying experience for BWPC clients, aligning procurement with clinical requirements.
• Process Improvement: Contribute to the continuous improvement of purchasing processes and systems.

If you’re calm under pressure, confident in managing multiple priorities, and passionate about making a difference in healthcare procurement, we’d love to hear from you.

Working for our organisation

North Bristol NHS Trust employs over 12,000 staff providing healthcare to the residents of Bristol, South Gloucestershire and North Somerset from our award-winning hospital building at Southmead. We are the regional Major Trauma Centre, and an internationally recognised centre of excellence in a range of services and major specialities. Our vision is that by enabling our teams to be the best that they can be, we will provide exceptional healthcare, personally delivered.

North Bristol NHS Trust values all people as individuals. We aim to be an anti-discriminatory organisation and are committed to building a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. We welcome applicants from all underrepresented groups.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

• Purchasing Execution
  • Create and manage product catalogues and purchase orders across multiple categories.
  • Source ad-hoc and transactional items in response to clinical and operational needs.
  • Ensure timely and cost-effective procurement in line with Trust policies and procedures.
• Administrative Excellence
  • Maintain accurate procurement records, including purchase order data, supplier information, and catalogue updates.
  • Support reporting and audit requirements through consistent and reliable data entry.
  • Assist in monitoring compliance with procurement standards and financial controls.
• Supplier Relationship Management
  • Engage with suppliers to resolve issues related to delivery delays, product availability, and payment queries.
  • Build effective working relationships to support continuity of supply and value for money.
  • Stay informed of market trends and supply chain developments relevant to your category.
• Customer Relationship Management
  • Act as a point of contact for internal stakeholders, providing guidance on procurement processes and product availability.
  • Work collaboratively with clinical and non-clinical teams to ensure purchasing decisions support service delivery.
  • Respond promptly to queries and support users in navigating procurement systems.
• Process Improvement
  • Identify opportunities to streamline purchasing workflows and improve efficiency.
  • Contribute to system enhancements and support the implementation of new procurement tools or procedures.
  • Share feedback and ideas to help shape the future of procurement within BWPC.

Person specification

Education / Training / Qualifications

Desirable criteria

• Professional registration (full or student) with an appropriate governing body

Work Experience

Essential criteria

• Experience in analysing data to present in chart or report form
• Experience of customer and supplier relationship management practices

Knowledge / Skills / Abilities

Essential criteria

• High standard of communication and presentation
• Confident stakeholder management skills

Desirable criteria

• Strong understanding of customer and supplier relationship management processes and procedures
• Basic understanding of contract and procurement law
• Adept at managing and manipulating large volumes of data quickly and without error

Personal Qualities / Special Circumstances

Essential criteria

• An analytical problem solving approach to activity
• Confident, professional and well-presented

We hope that you will decide to join us and become part of this exciting journey, helping us to shape our future together.

• As an equal opportunities employer actively working towards a diverse workforce we aim to recruit and retain a workforce which represents the rich diversity of the local population at all levels and are committed to designing our services around the needs of individual patients and those around them. Anonymous information will be used from your application to ensure we’re meeting our pledge.
• The Trust is committed to investing in and caring for all our staff. We will support you in maintaining and improving your health and wellbeing, as well as your career development through management and training support - developing exceptional people for exceptional careers.
• BFT is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and vulnerable adults.
• To comply with Part 7 of the Immigration Act 2016 all applicants must be able to speak fluent English to an appropriate standard which will be assessed at Interview.
• If you require sponsorship for a visa to work in the UK, to avoid disappointment, please check to ensure you are eligible under the UKVI points based system.
• The Trust uses electronic new starter forms on Trac to collect personal details. Information collected is securely stored and used to set up the employee record on the ESR HR system.
• By applying for this post, you are agreeing to Bristol NHS Foundation Trust transferring the information contained in this application to its preferred applicant management system. If you are offered a job, information will also be transferred into the national NHS Electronic Staff Records system.

Important:

Please note that if you apply for a position with this Trust, you may be contacted via Trac or via email. This includes invites for job interviews. We therefore recommend that you regularly check your Trac account and email accounts. We may also contact you by texting the mobile number, if provided, on the application form.

Due to the high number of applications that are received for some posts we may close this vacancy before the advertised closing date. Therefore, please apply for this post as soon as you can, if you are interested and you meet the requirements of the Person Specification.

Only those candidates who clearly demonstrate how they meet the person specification will be shortlisted for this job.

As a guide interviews should usually take place within 3 weeks of the closing date.

When providing employment reference details, please provide correct work-related email addresses so references can be sought promptly when we are looking to progress your application. Your referee must all be known to you in a line manager or professional lead capacity.