Purchasing Specialist

Bristol NHS Foundation Trust; West of England; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

Bristol NHS Foundation Trust is recruiting for a Procurement Specialist to lead procurement projects across the BWPC that support NHS Trusts in the Bristol region. You will analyse spend data, drive cost reductions and present clear reports to stakeholders.

The role focuses on building relationships, applying contract knowledge, and delivering best-practice procurement within a public sector framework. A strong Excel skillset is required, with opportunities for professional development.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in purchasing/contracting environment.
• Led successful negotiations to conclude a contractual relationship.
• Desirable: working knowledge of public sector procurement regulations.

Responsibilities

• Lead delivery of procurement projects to achieve savings and cost reduction.
• Analyse spend and relationship data to identify viable contracting opportunities.
• Report results and activity accurately and timely.
• Manage and engage key stakeholders to develop relationships and influence.
• Promote procurement best-practice and demonstrate value of the profession.

Skills

Communication

Project leadership

Procurement law

MS Excel

Supplier relationship management

Supply chain management

Education

CIPS level 4

Job description

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.

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

Bristol & Weston Purchasing Consortium (BWPC) is an award-winning provider of procurement and purchasing services in support of NHS Trusts and healthcare providers in the Bristol region.

BWPC’s remit includes the purchasing of medical equipment, consumables, instrumentation and fluids for hospitals, negotiating regional technology contracts, driving effective use of contract and agency staffing and providing data and systems to allow our clients to leverage their expenditure to their advantage.

Purchasing Specialists form the core of the Procurement Team within Bristol & Weston Purchasing Consortium and report to Senior Purchasing Specialists, Category Managers and the Senior Management Team while supervising, guiding and advising Buyers.

Main duties of the job

• Lead the delivery of procurement projects to achieve savings and cost reduction
• Analyse spend and relationship data to produce evidence for viable contracting and procurement opportunities
• Report results and activity accurately and in a timely manner
• Manage and engage key stakeholders to develop relationships and influence
• Promote procurement best-practice, demonstrating the value and benefit of the profession

FFocus on continuous improvement

to ensure the team is pushing for the highest standards

Prepare and develop procurement documentation

that is clear, concise and effective

Recommend sourcing approaches

as a result of fact-based analysis

Build our client’s commercial position

through whole-life costing and an aggressive pursuit of cost reduction

Working for our organisation

Bristol NHS Foundation Trust brings together more than 28,000 staff to deliver over 160 clinical services across thirteen hospital locations, operating from three main sites at Southmead, Bristol city centre and Weston.

With an annual turnover of £2.3 billion, we are now one of the largest NHS trusts in the United Kingdom. Our hospitals are spread across Bristol and Weston, join us and you can enjoy the very best of both worlds; city living within a stone’s throw of the countryside or beside the seaside, both with easy access to all that the South West has to offer.

Bristol NHS Foundation Trust values all people as individuals. 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 in order to ensure we’re meeting our pledge.

Detailed Job Description And Main Responsibilities

For a more detailed job description, main responsibilities, and Person Specification, please refer to the job description document attached to this vacancy.

Person specification

Education/Training/Qualifications

Desirable criteria

• CIPS level 4 qualified or a willingness to work toward the qualification

Experience

Essential criteria

• Proven experience of working in a purchasing/contracting environment
• Evidence of having led successful negotiations to conclude a contractual relationship

Desirable criteria

• Working knowledge of the regulations governing public sector procurement

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

Essential criteria

• High standard of communication
• Ability to lead project work alone or as part of a team
• Understanding of contract and procurement law
• Experienced user of Microsoft Excel, working use of all Microsoft Office products

Desirable criteria

• Understanding of supplier relationship management
• Understanding of supply chain management

Personal Qualities/Special Circumstances

Essential criteria

• An analytical problem solving approach to activity

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.

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.