Senior Buyer

NHS; Blackpool; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job description

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

Applications are sought from across the private and public sector. The successful applicants will bring energy and customer focus to the role. It is important that we recruit the best possible candidate, recognising that innovation and continuous improvement will be key to delivering sustainable NHS services for the future.

Training and support is offered to the right candidates to ensure they can be successful in the role.

The role will be onsite office based.

If you think you have the skills and motivation to take on these challenging and exciting roles and would like an informal discussion regarding the opportunity please contact the Senior Procurement Manager.

The One LSC Procurement team encourage applications from those keen on agile working flexibility.

Main duties of the job

The focus will be on supporting customers to deliver value for money on projects ensuring legal compliance.

The Senior Buyer will work within the Procurement tower to support the delivery of the procurement strategy and achieve "balanced Scorecard" targets. This includes delivering against the following objectives:

1. Savings and efficiency targets
2. Improving and maintaining compliance with procurement regulations
3. Customer service

You will be expected to work with stakeholders at all levels to present the procurement cluster as a progressive and responsive group who work collaboratively, provide new thinking and positively influence system improvement and efficiency.

Contribute as part of the One LSC Procurement team to the strategy and direction of the team.

Work on specific/allocated projects against agreed timescales and outcomes for One LSC Procurement customers. This will include sourcing of goods, equipment, materials and services that meet requirements by demonstrating value for money and promoting an integrated approach to procurement.

Provide professional support to users in respect of the procurement process, including EU regulations and required processes to be followed.

About us

Created in November 2024, which superseded the Lancashire Procurement Cluster created in 2017, The One LSC Procurement team provides strategic procurement, commercial, logistics and supply chain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. The One LSC Procurement has four distinct service lines:

1. Procurement
2. Strategic Relationship Management
3. Systems & e-Commerce
4. Logistics and Supply Chain

Job responsibilities

The post holder will take direction from the Procurement Manager but also work independently and proactively to:

1. Work with colleagues in the procurement team to support the delivery of the procurement strategy and balanced scorecard objectives through the work plan.
2. Provide excellent customer service to clinicians and service users across the One LSC Procurement Trusts and customer trusts.
3. Lead a range of procurement projects including planning and tender selection strategies. This involves working closely with clinical and non-clinical staff in order to achieve project support and sign off recommendations.
4. Develop appropriate procurement documents via the tendering system and assist in setting up the award evaluation system.
5. Be responsible for the procurement of high value, complex contracts, ensuring appropriate project management processes are in place, status reports are compiled and EU procurement requirements are met.
6. Lead on commercial negotiations with suppliers in accordance with the project timescale.
7. Support and guide the professional and training developmental needs within the team.
8. Supervise a dedicated buying team aligned to a selected customer base.
9. Day to day management of Lead Buyer, Buyer and Assistant Buyer as required and directed by the Procurement Manager.
10. Support budget holders in managing their budgets for allocated projects (across the whole life cycle) and the provision of regular update reports against agreed timescales.
11. Contribute as part of the One LSC Procurement team to the strategy and direction needed by trusts.
12. Support in the delivery of the Procurement and wider One LSC Procurement strategy by ensuring it is communicated, understood and supported by budget Managers and Clinicians, so achieving the One LSC Procurement objectives and ensuring commercial arrangements are optimised throughout the member Trusts.
13. Lead on the uptake of local benefit from collaborative arrangements with all collaborative partners.
14. Ensure compliance with statutory and local policies/standards/procedures throughout the procurement process.
15. Co-ordinate quotations and tenders ensuring that there is compliance with Trust Standing Orders and Standing Financial Instructions.
16. Identify and deliver projects and efficiencies to achieve agreed performance targets.
17. Work closely with partner Trusts, to analyse spend, control expenditure, understand markets and identify savings opportunities.
18. Ensure that all contracts data is captured on the One LSC Procurement wide contract register.
19. Record efficiencies in the form of savings from budget and inflation/cost-avoidance.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• Good general standard of education including Mathematics and English Language - GCSE level 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 a 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 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.
• Teamwork 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/legislation.
• Large 'blue chip' private sector experience.
• Advanced knowledge of MS Excel.

Personal Attributes

• Commitment to continuous improvement of: Self; Team, and; LPC performance.
• 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

• Must be a car driver and able to work between sites.
• Able to flexibly work across all Trust locations as required by the service.
• Flexibility and adaptiveness to the changing needs of the service.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Blackpool Teaching Hospital - Across the one LSC footprint.

Full-time, Flexible working, Home or remote working.

Reference number

435-1LSC-ELHT-021-25

Job locations

Blackpool Teaching Hospital - Across the one LSC footprint.