Purchasing Officer - Procurement

NHS National Services Scotland; Glasgow; On-site; GBP 24,000 - 28,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

NHS Pension Scheme

27 days annual leave + holidays

Cycle to Work Scheme

Learning and development opportunities

Employee assistance programme

Job summary

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde is seeking a Purchasing Officer (Band 4) to join the Medical Procurement Team in Glasgow. You will handle timely processing of purchasing requests, liaise with suppliers and stakeholders, and support governance and assurance activities in purchase-to-pay processes.

The role requires strong organisation, communication, and numerical skills, with experience in procurement or administrative environments and knowledge of public sector practices.

Qualifications

• Previous experience in a procurement, purchasing, finance, or administrative environment.
• Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage competing priorities.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Experience using computerised purchasing or finance systems.
• Proficiency in Word, Excel and Outlook.
• Good numerical and analytical skills with high accuracy.
• Understanding of procurement processes and governance requirements.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Knowledge of public sector procurement practices would be advantageous.
• Commitment to ongoing learning and professional development.

Responsibilities

• Process purchasing requests in a timely manner and liaise with suppliers and stakeholders.
• Support governance and assurance activities and ensure purchase-to-pay compliance.
• Assist in delivering value-driven procurement practices and procedures.
• Maintain efficient procurement processes in line with organisational financial objectives and regulations.

Skills

Procurement experience

Organisational skills

Communication skills

Computerised purchasing/finance

Microsoft Office

Numerical accuracy

Procurement governance

Team player

Public sector procurement knowledge

Professional development

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC) is one of the largest healthcare systems in the United Kingdom, employing approximately 40,000 staff across a wide range of clinical and non-clinical professions and roles. We deliver acute hospital, primary, community and mental health services to a population of over 1.15 million people, and to a wider population of 2.2 million when regional and national services are included.

The role:

We are pleased to offer an exciting opportunity for a Purchasing Officer (Band 4) to join the Medical Procurement Team within NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde. This role ensures the effective and timely processing and procurement of requests for goods and services across NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde.

You will provide tactical and transactional support within the Procurement Department, contributing to purchasing activities, governance and assurance processes, and purchase-to-pay compliance.

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC) may be able to provide visa sponsorship for certain roles, subject to the post meeting the relevant eligibility criteria. Sponsorship is not guaranteed and will be determined on a case-by-case basis following interview and during the pre-employment verification process. Applicants must state their current right to work in their application.

Please see below for more details:

Skilled Worker visa and Health and Care Worker visa

Duration, Location, and Working Pattern:

This is a permanent post.

The post is based within Glasgow Royal Infirmary and your working week pattern will be

• 0900 to 1630, 3 days per week
• 0900 to 1700, 2 days per week

Key responsibilities:

The Procurement Department provides a comprehensive procurement and logistics service across all NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde Divisions and Departments. As a Purchasing Officer, you will be responsible for the timely processing of purchasing requests, liaising with suppliers and stakeholders, supporting governance and assurance activities, ensuring purchase-to-pay compliance, and assisting in the delivery of best value procurement practices.

While contributing to maintaining efficient procurement processes in line with Standing Financial Instructions, public sector procurement regulations, and organisational financial objectives.

Knowledge, training, qualifications and/or experience required to do the job:

• Previous experience within a procurement, purchasing, finance, or administrative environment.
• Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage competing priorities.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Experience using computerised purchasing or finance systems.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, and Outlook.
• Good numerical and analytical skills with a high level of accuracy and attention to detail.
• Understanding of procurement processes and governance requirements.
• Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a team.
• Knowledge of public sector procurement practices would be advantageous.
• Commitment to ongoing learning and professional development.

What we offer:

We offer a wide range of supportive policies designed to enhance your employee journey, including a comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme, Cycle to Work Scheme, bursary scheme and extensive learning and development opportunities.

As an NHS Scotland employee, you will be entitled to:

• A minimum of 27 days annual leave, increasing with length of service, plus public holidays
• Membership of the NHS Pension Scheme, including life insurance benefits
• Salary Sacrifice Car Benefit Scheme
• Development opportunities including study bursaries, e-learning and classroom-based courses
• Enhanced pay for working public holidays
• NHS discounts on a wide range of goods and services
• Confidential employee support and assistance, including counselling and psychological therapies

Interested?

Elaine Gray
Deputy Purchasing & Systems Manager
Telephone: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]

This vacancy may close early due to a high volume of applications. We recommend applying as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

AI tools like ChatGPT or Copilot can be great for planning and preparing your application, but your answers must be your own.

• Show us the real you: Your application should reflect your skills, experience, and motivations authentically.
• Use AI wisely: It’s fine to use AI for ideas or to check spelling and grammar, but don’t let it write your answers.
• Why this matters: Applications that rely on AI-generated content may be withdrawn. By applying, you confirm your responses are based on your own knowledge and achievements.

Tip: Think of AI as a helper, not a substitute. We want to understand you, not an AI tool.

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC) recognises the importance of work-life balance and is committed to offering a range of flexible working options where service needs allow. For roles where less than full-time hours can be accommodated, and where the tenure is listed as “various”, we encourage applications from individuals seeking flexible working arrangements. Flexible working will be included as a topic for discussion during the recruitment process.

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde encourages applications from all sections of the community. We are committed to promoting equality, diversity and inclusion and are proud of the diverse workforce we employ.

By signing the Armed Forces Covenant, NHSGGC has pledged its commitment to being a Forces Friendly Employer. We welcome applications from across the Armed Forces Community and recognise military skills, experience and qualifications throughout the recruitment and selection process.