Senior Buyer

Elht; Blackburn; On-site; GBP 33,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust is seeking a Senior Buyer to join the One Lancashire and South Cumbria procurement team. The role focuses on delivering procurement strategies, ensuring value for money and compliance with NHS regulations across Lancashire and South Cumbria.

Travel to various hub sites is required. Successful candidates will bring energy, innovation, and strong customer focus, with suitable experience in procurement within large organisations and a willingness to support

Qualifications

• GCSEs in Maths and English are required.
• A degree or diploma in procurement or related field is preferred.
• CIPS or equivalent procurement qualification is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Develop and deliver the annual procurement work plan aligned with savings targets.
• Provide commercial guidance on procurement strategy to the team and stakeholders.
• Ensure compliance with NHS guidance, policies and regulatory requirements.
• Mentor and support lead buyers and buyers to develop procurement skills.
• Lead high-value, complex procurement projects to achieve best value.

Skills

Maths GCSE

English GCSE

People skills

Education

GCSE Maths & English

CIPS or procurement qualification

Degree or diploma in procurement/related

Tools

MS Excel

Job description

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.

The Trusts that make up One LSC are:

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 is seeking applications for a Senior Buyer. This is an exciting opportunity to join a dynamic team during a period of transformation as we move toward becoming a single, integrated procurement department serving the NHS across Lancashire and South Cumbria as a shared service provider.

We welcome applications from both the private and public sectors. Successful candidates will bring energy, innovation, and a strong customer focus to the role. Training and support will be provided to ensure success.

The role will involve engaging with colleagues and our customers across Lancashire and South Cumbria and so a willingness to travel to varied locations and sites is a must. For the right candidate, there are opportunities to align base location to any of our main hub sites including Blackpool, Lancaster, Blackburn, Preston and across South Cumbria.

If you have the skills and motivation to take on this challenging and rewarding role and would like an informal discussion, please contact the Head of Service - Procurement.

An induction pack and staff handbook are available on request to support your application and transition into the NHS and One LSC Procurement specifically.

Main duties of the job

The focus will be on supporting customers to deliver value for money on projects while ensuring legal compliance. As a Senior Buyer, you will:

• Work within the Procurement team to deliver the procurement strategy and achieve service objectives, including:
  • Savings and efficiency targets
  • Compliance with procurement regulations
  • Excellent customer service
• Collaborate with stakeholders at all levels to present the procurement function as a progressive and responsive team that drives innovation and system improvement.
• Lead strategic procurement projects, ensuring value for money and promoting an integrated approach.
• Provide professional advice on procurement processes, including compliance with UK law and regulations such as Public Contract Regulations 2015, Procurement Act 2023 as well as the Provider Selection Regime.

Working for our organisation

Established in November 2024, One Lancashire and South Cumbria is a shared service entity providing corporate services including Finance, Human Resources, Digital, Estates and Procurement services.

We provide strategic procurement, commercial, logistics, and supply chain services to partner Trusts:

• East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust
• Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
• University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust
• Lancashire & South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust
• Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
• Atlas BFW Management Ltd (a wholly owned subsidiary of Blackpool Teaching Hospitals)
• North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust

One LSC Procurement operates as a shared service model, hosted by East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust, with three distinct service lines:

• Procurement
• Systems & e-Commerce
• Logistics and Supply Chain

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Reporting to the Procurement Manager, you will:

• Develop and deliver an annual work plan aligned with savings and efficiency targets.
• Provide commercial advice and guidance on procurement strategy to your team, colleagues and Trust stakeholders.
• Ensure compliance with Trust Standing Financial Instructions, Procurement Policies and NHS Guidance, Best Practice and wider legislation.
• Mentoring and Supporting Lead Buyers and Buyers to develop procurement skills and offer procurement advice.
• Review and develop non-pay spend strategies to achieve best value.
• Lead high‑value, complex, and strategic procurement projects.
• Work closely with collaborative partners such as NHS Supply Chain, Crown Commercial Services, and Category Tower Service Providers.
• Drive improvements in procurement performance using Model Hospital metrics.

Person specification

Qualifications

• Mathematics and English Language – GCSE Grade C/4 or equivalent.
• Degree or diploma level graduate (CIPS or procurement related) or equivalent relevant experience.
• Good knowledge of professional purchasing principles and commercial acumen.
• Vocational courses appropriate to the post.
• Willingness to undertake further appropriate study.

Experience

• Experience of working within a procurement or operational purchasing team.
• Experience of working with clients/stakeholders to deliver projects or agreed service level.
• Experience of working in busy, target driven team.
• Buying experience within a large multi-functional organisation.
• Experience of managing staff.
• Experience of working within a, Finance or Accountancy team
• Experience of working with suppliers

Knowledge and Skills

• IT literate with well-developed skills for the use and application of information technology systems (especially MS Office products)
• Good communication and skills (written & oral) with the ability to work positively with colleagues.
• Evidence of complex analytical and problem solving skills with a focus on delivering results.
• Team work and some leading experience
• Strong purchasing and supply chain expertise, and ability to demonstrate success in achieving VFM
• Tendering and project management experience.
• A good 'people person' able to effectively influence and persuade people.
• Understanding of EU Procurement Law.
• Experience of NHS/government.
• Sound knowledge of public sector finance procedures/legislati on.
• Large ‘blue chip’ private sector experience.
• Advanced knowledge of MS Excel.

Personal Attributes

• Commitment to continuous improvement.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Strong team player/team skills.
• Good organisational and administrative skills.
• Good motivator and a positive attitude towards change and development.
• Ability to cope under pressure.
• Leadership and delegation skills.

Other

• Access to transport for work purposes, travelling across all LPC sites.
• Able to flexibly work across all Trust locations as required by the service.
• Flexibility and adaptiveness to the changing needs of the service.

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‑rated. 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.
• Please note that shortlisting is completed anonymously with candidates being assessed against the essential criteria for the post. Therefore only applicants who can clearly demonstrate how they meet our person specification criteria in their application will be short‑listed.

Disclosure and Barring Scheme (DBS)

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 .

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

Thanks for taking the time to view this advert; we look forward to receiving your application.

Please be aware that this vacancy may close earlier than the published date if sufficient applications are received. It is, therefore, recommended that you apply as soon as you can.

We will contact you by e-mail to update you on the progress of your application, so please check the e-mail account that you applied from regularly (including spam/junk).

The Trust is an equal opportunities employer, is committed to improving the working lives of its colleagues and operates a 'Zero Tolerance' policy on aggression, violence, bullying and harassment.

As a recruitment service, our aim is to help protect children and vulnerable adults by providing a first‑class service in recruiting people into positions of trust.

It is important to us that we 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 as an employer we are under‑representation of BAME employees. Appointments will be made on merit.

We recognise that the recruitment process may present barriers for some and you may need personal adjustments to enable you to participate in our recruitment process. Please make contact with the recruitment team at the earliest opportunity to enable you to apply for this post.

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.

We have added a disclaimer to our application process advising that the use