Purchasing Assistant

Transformation Unit; Preston; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 27,000; Full time

Job summary

East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust is seeking a Purchasing Assistant to support One LSC procurement across Trusts. The role processes non-stock requisitions, answers purchasing queries and helps maintain contracts and reporting tools. On-site work at Preston is required, with regular office attendance at Preston or Lancaster.

The post is NHS AfC Band 3, full time (37.5 hours). Salary £25,760–£27,476 per annum. DBS checks and compliance are part of the role.

Qualifications

• IT literate with ability to use MS Word, Excel and Access.
• Experience in purchase or sales order processing is desirable, including maintenance of records.

Responsibilities

• Process non-stock requisitions with high accuracy in line with SFI’s.
• Influence end users to use standardised products and cost-effective approaches.
• Research alternative products and identify purchase rationalisation options.
• Be the first point of contact for purchasing queries from Trust departments and external contacts.
• Maintain price queries and liaise with Finance and NHS Supply Chain as needed.
• Handle maintenance renewals queries from Third Party providers.

Skills

IT literacy

MS Word

Excel

Access

Tools

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

Access

Job description

Main area Corporate Grade NHS AfC: Band 3 Contract Permanent Hours Full time - 37.5 hours per week (Monday to Friday)

Employer East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust Employer type NHS Site Preston Business Centre Town Preston Salary £25,760 - £27,476 Per Annum Salary period Yearly Closing 26/11/2026 23:59

Purchasing Assistant

NHS AfC: Band 3

At East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust our vision is to be widely recognised for providing safe, personal and effective care. We currently provide high quality services and treat over 600,000 people across East Lancashire and the surrounding area. We employ over 9,500 staff, many of whom are internationally renowned and have won awards for their work.

One LSC is a new collaborative partnership shared service formed by the five NHS Trusts serving the Lancashire and South Cumbria population of 1.8 million people. We are a shared service run by the NHS, for the NHS and are hosted by East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust on behalf of the partner Trusts of the Lancashire and South Cumbria system.

One LSC stands for ‘One Lancashire and South Cumbria’ and reflects the Lancashire and South Cumbria System ambition to have one team serving Lancashire and South Cumbria in a joined-up way. It is jointly run by the five Trusts as a collaborative partnership.

• Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
• East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust
• Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust
• Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
• University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust

One LSC brings together the Digital, Data and Technology, Estates and Facilities, Finance, People Services and Procurement and Logistics services from each of the provider Trusts to create one central community of professionals. Under one leadership team, they will provide services for and on behalf of all Trusts.

The aim is to bring services more closely together so that we can deliver the best service possible to each of our partner organisations. At the core of One LSC delivery is eliminating duplication, removing unwarranted variation, realisation of the benefits of sharing common systems and processes and ensuring we deliver value for money for our partners, our system and, ultimately, for the communities we serve.

Job overview

The One Lancashire and South Cumbria (LSC) Procurement team are seeking applications for a Purchasing Assistant.

To ensure that an effective and efficient procurement service is provided to end users within all Trusts within One LSC.

To process non-stock requisitions in line with the Trust Standing Financial Instructions (SFI’s). To ensure that price queries are kept to a minimum and resolved efficiently.

To update departmental reporting tools to provide key performance indicators and commercial information to ensure that usage trends are quickly spotted.

To assist in the development, implementation, review and maintenance of a specific range of contracts.

Assist with the achievement of departmental service and savings targets.

To act as an ambassador for the department, influence end users’ choice of products and ensure all queries and complaints are dealt with in a professional and positive way.
We are based across two office locations, Preston and Lancaster, and the successful applicant will be expected to work from one of the offices on a regular basis. Candidates should therefore be able to demonstrate a commitment to on-site working.

Main duties of the job

To process non-stock requisitions, with a high level of accuracy, in line with the Trust Standing Financial Instructions (SFI’s).

Seek to influence customers to use standardised products and cost effective approaches by proactively monitoring and making suggestions.

Research alternative products and help to identify products for purchase rationalisation.

To act as the initial day to day contact point for all purchasing queries raised by Trust departments and external contacts either verbally, via e-mail or telephone.

To keep price queries to a minimum and resolve any issues promptly and efficiently via liaison with Trust departments, Finance and External contacts.

To act as the initial day to day contact point for queries raised by Third Party provider with regard to Maintenance renewals.

To act as the initial day to day contact point for all Trust departments with regard to non-stock orders, stock queries. Resolved via liaison with Materials Management and NHS Supply Chain.

To act as the initial day to day contact point for all Trust departments with regard to the processing of orders, quotes and queries for Capital Equipment, Charitable Funds, Printing.

To act as the central contact point for product returns and administer the stock returns process on behalf of the Trust.

Where circumstances dictate, to action MDA Alerts via checking of historical purchases and assisting Departments across the Trust.

Working for our organisation

Created in November 2024 the One LSC Procurement team provides strategic procurement, commercial, logistics and supply chain services to the Trust Partners - Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust, Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust and Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust.

The organisation is a shared service model, hosted by East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

To read more information about the advertised role, and the main job duties/responsibilities please open the Job Description and Person Specification located under the supporting documents heading. You can also read more information about East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust by visiting our website https://elht.nhs.uk/

Person specification

• Evidence of IT literacy
• Call Centre/Customer Service
• Office Administration
• Purchase or Sales Order Processing
• Ability to plan/manage workload in busy environment
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel & Access
• Good Analytical Skills
• Team Player
• CIPS Foundation or Other Procurement Qualification or equivalent business course
• Procurement Dept Experience
• Working knowledge of NHS Logistics online
• Working knowledge of Advanced, Integra, GHX systems
• Working knowledge of other Purchase Order/Inventory Software

Qualifications

Dear Potential Applicant,

It is important you are made aware of the following as regards your application to East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust

• Please note that the salary advertised is for full time hours. If this post is less than 37.5 hours per week, the salary will be pro-rata. For posts on Agenda for Change pay-scales, new entrants to the NHS will normally commence on the first pay point of the relevant band.

Disclosure and Barring Scheme (DBS)

If the role you are applying for is identified as either controlled or regulated activity as defined in in the Safeguarding vulnerable Groups Act (2006) any offer of employment is provisional upon a satisfactory DBS check being obtained.

The healthcare sector is exempted from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.

In line with other NHS organisations in the North West Region, the Trust is now passing the charge for undertaking a DBS check on to candidates in the event they are successfully appointed into the post for which they have applied. Candidates can choose whether to pay this over 1-3 months as a deduction from the monthly salary. However, if you are applying for a post as a BANK worker, the payment must be made in full at the time of employment checks. By applying for this vacancy you are agreeing to this undertaking in the event you are successfully appointed.

The cost for an Enhanced DBS, is £45.90 and for a Basic & Standard, this is £24.90 this cost includes a £4.90 admin fee.

This cost is not applicable for a Volunteer post

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The Trust is an equal opportunities employer, committed to improving the working lives of our staff and operates a 'Zero Tolerance' policy to aggression, violence, bullying and harassment. In addition, our aim is to help protect children and vulnerable adults by providing a first-class service to the recruitment of people into positions of trust.

We aim to employ a workforce that reflects the diverse communities we serve.

We welcome applications from everyone irrespective of ethnic origin, gender, age, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, marital status, disability or social background.

We especially welcome applications from members of our black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) communities, as we have identified that ELHT has an under-representation of BAME employees. Appointments will be made on merit.

Applicants who have a disability and meet the essential criteria for the job will be interviewed if you indicate you wish to be considered under the Guaranteed Interview Scheme.

If you require a reasonable adjustment at any stage of the recruitment process please make the recruitment services team aware as soon as possible. By telephone [phone] or email [e-mail] write to Employment Services, Parkview Offices, Haslingden Road, Blackburn, BB2 3HH

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) when writing job applications

We have added a disclaimer to our application process advising that the use of AI is monitored and if applicants have used it then they are required to declare this.

If you choose to use AI or other tools to assist in writing your application, it's essential to personalise this information, particularly your supporting information section. While AI can help streamline the writing process, these tools cannot fully grasp the context or requirements of the job you’re applying for. There is also a risk that it can generate false or misleading information.

AI-generated job applications can often be generic, impersonal and may not accurately reflect your qualifications, knowledge, skills, and experiences. It is crucial that you personalise your supporting statement by articulating these in your unique voice. Relying solely on AI to write your application or supporting information section is not advocated by East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust and could negatively impact on your chances of success in the application process.

Supporting Information

The supporting information section is an opportunity for you to showcase how your qualifications, knowledge, skills and experience align with the requirements and criteria outlined in the job description and person specification.

Recruiting managers score applications based on the criteria listed in the person specification. They will be looking for evidence of how you meet these criteria. To increase your chances of securing an interview, please provide examples of how you have applied your skills and knowledge in real-life situations. Share work-related successes and challenges you have navigated that align with the criteria. These could be from various aspects of your life, including work, education, and personal experiences.

Consider structuring your supporting information section with clear headings or bullet points. This approach will help both you and the recruiting manager navigate through your application more effectively.

Please note: a young person must be in part-time education or training until they’re 18. If you are under 18 we are unable to employ you on a full time basis, unless it is in an apprenticeship role.

Disclosure and Barring Service checks

If the role you’ve applied for requires a Disclosure and Barring Services (DBS) check we will administer this on your behalf and the cost will be recovered from your salary, either as a one-off payment, or over 3 months. The level of check required depends on the role that you have been offered. Currently the charges are - Basic DBS check £26.40, Standard DBS check £26.40, Enhanced DBS check £54.40 and Enhanced DBS check with Barred List(s) £54.40. You should be aware that if you are successful in obtaining a position that requires a DBS check but later withdraw your application, you may be required to reimburse the cost of the DBS check. DBS checks remain free of charge for volunteer positions. The DBS Code of Practice can be accessed here .

In line with guidance from United Kingdom Health Security Agency, all staff and volunteers are required to comply with Trust Infection Prevention and Control processes in relation to safe working.

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We look forward to hearing from you soon!