Procurement Support Officer

Job Summary

Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust provides services to the residents of Southend, Basildon, and Chelmsford. It was formed in April 2020 by the merger of University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Mid Essex Hospital Services NHS Trust, and Basildon & Thurrock University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

The procurement function acts as a centre of excellence for all Procurement & Supply Chain activities across the new group. It manages the provision of goods and services to all departments (clinical and non-clinical) on a daily basis, contracting with several thousand suppliers. The service performs a strategic business management role, managing £370m of non-pay expenditure in support of its stakeholders across the group.

Main duties of the job

• Provide excellent customer service through prompt processing of self-serve requisitions, ensuring correct supplier, best value products/services, pricing, product codes, e-Class codes, and budget codes, or escalate issues to the line manager promptly.
• Maintain professionalism in customer interactions via one-to-one, telephone, and written communication in a timely, precise, and friendly manner.
• Proactively advise and guide user departments on procurement matters, meeting with customers when beneficial.
• Conduct benchmarking and sourcing of alternative products using e-business tools, NHS Supply Chain Catalogues, internal catalogues, Procurement hubs, and Multiquote.
• Undertake all procurement activities in accordance with legal (EU legislation, commercial, and contract law), environmental, and sustainability requirements.
• Support the MSE Accounts Payable team with invoice payments and queries.
• Support and validate small value purchases via purchase cards and reconcile statements.

About Us

For further details, please see the main job description attached. With approximately 15,000 staff, we aim to deliver excellent health services, improve patient outcomes, and provide a vibrant environment for staff development, innovation, and career growth.

Our goal is to enhance patient care, reduce delays and cancellations, and expand specialist services region-wide. As a larger trust, we offer more development, research, networking, and innovation opportunities, aiming to recruit and retain top talent across our organization.

Job Details

• Posted on: 22 April 2025
• Pay scheme: Agenda for Change
• Band: 4
• Salary: £26,530 to £29,114 per annum
• Contract: Permanent
• Working pattern: Part-time
• Location: Britannia House, Comet Way, Southend-On-Sea, SS26GE

Job Responsibilities

Provide excellent customer service through prompt processing of self-serve requisitions, identifying the correct supplier, best value options, pricing, and codes, or escalating issues as needed.

Person Specification

Knowledge & Experience (Essential)

• High standard of education, minimum of 5 GCSEs including Maths & English
• IT literate in Microsoft Applications
• Good time management and organizational skills, especially in a pressurized environment with conflicting demands

Desirable

• Experience in a procurement or finance department within NHS or private healthcare

Communication Skills (Essential)

• Ability to clearly explain procurement requirements to various audiences, ensuring understanding

Additional Information

This post is subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service check and requires a valid criminal record check. Applications from those requiring Skilled Worker sponsorship are welcome. Further guidance on visa and criminal record checks can be found on the UK Visas and Immigration website.

Employer Details

Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust
Britannia House, Comet Way, Southend-On-Sea, SS26GE
https://www.mse.nhs.uk