Senior Buyer

NHS; Bracknell; Hybrid; GBP 48,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a leading healthcare provider as a Senior Buyer, where you'll leverage your procurement skills to enhance patient care. Collaborate with a supportive team and enjoy benefits like hybrid working, ample annual leave, and a commitment to continuous professional development in a dynamic environment.

Benefits

27 days' annual leave

Generous NHS pension scheme

Flexible working options

'Cycle to Work' scheme

Access to wellbeing tools

Employee support networks

Qualifications

• 3-5 years public procurement experience.
• Knowledge of public procurement law.
• Track record of managing complex procurement projects.

Responsibilities

• Manage complex, high-value tenders and contracts.
• Negotiate effectively with suppliers and stakeholders.
• Support the Tender Manager and Head of Procurement.

Skills

Negotiation

Supplier Relationship Management

Project Management

Education

CIPS Level 5 Advanced Diploma in Procurement and Supply

Job description

Job summary

Are you a procurement professional ready to make your skills count where it matters - improving patient care?

We're looking for a Senior Buyer to join our friendly and experienced Procurement Team at Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust. You'll use your commercial expertise & public sector knowledge to directly contribute to the quality, efficiency and impact of NHS services across the region.

We're looking for a team player who can:

• Manage complex, high-value tenders and contracts
• Negotiate effectively with suppliers and stakeholders
• Drive cost-saving initiatives and value for money
• Support service improvements that benefit patient care

You'll be responsible for delivering value through compliant and timely procurement of goods and services. You'll support the Tender Manager and Head of Procurement to meet financial targets, maintain governance standards, and promote procurement excellence at all levels of the organisation.

Join an experienced, supportive team who offer excellent work-life balance & hybrid working, enjoying 27 days annual leave + bank holidays and a generous NHS pension scheme. The base for this role is London House in Bracknell, however, much of your work can be remote.

Our Trust is rated 'Outstanding' by the CQC, who highlight our positive culture, staff morale and innovation. We're committed to employee well-being and career development.

Applications are processed as they are received. We encourage you to apply ASAP as vacancies can close early.

Main duties of the job

• Lead compliant tendering processes for contracts over £10k + VAT in line with procurement legislation and Trust policies

• Develop tender documentation, evaluate bids (including full life cycle costing), and coordinate award recommendations

• Manage supplier relationships, including negotiating improved pricing and resolving disputes, while maintaining patient care standards

• Approve contracts and orders up to £30k, and advise on authorisation for higher-value procurements

• Oversee a portfolio of contracts, ensuring performance, compliance, and delivery of value for money

• Validate invoices where required, and ensure contracts are accurately recorded in the Trust's Contract Management System

• Publish transparency notices on the Central Digital Platform and manage resulting expressions of interest

• Support the Tender Manager and Head of Procurement with strategy development, policy updates, business cases, and procurement work plans

• Provide expert advice to stakeholders across the Trust on procurement processes and best practice

• Deliver internal training and help ensure organisational compliance with procurement policies

• Promote product standardisation and support regional collaboration via NHS Commercial Alliance and BOB ICS

• Contribute to delivering annual cost savings and supporting procurement-related projects as required

About us

Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust is a specialist mental health and community health services trust. Rated 'outstanding' by the CQC, we're committed to providing the best possible care to people across Berkshire. As an employer, we're committed to offering an inclusive and compassionate environment where our people share in a sense of belonging and are supported to flourish.

Our values at Berkshire Healthcare are:

• Caring for and about you is our top priority
• Committed to providing good quality, safe services
• Working Together with you to develop innovative solutions

Your wellbeing is important to us. Some of the benefits of working for us include:

• Flexible working options to support work-life balance
• 27 days' annual leave rising with service + opportunity to buy and sell
• Generous NHS pension scheme
• Excellent learning and career development opportunities
• 'Cycle to Work' and car leasing scheme including electric vehicles
• Access to a range of wellbeing tools and services
• Discounts at hundreds of popular retailers and restaurants
• Staff networks for race, diversity, disabilities, the environment and armed forces community to support equality
• Generous maternity, paternity, adoption and special leave
• Free parking across Trust sites

Details Date posted

26 June 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 7

Salary

£48,270 to £54,931 a year per annum ( Incl of HCAS)

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

371-TAP-CS2641

Job locations

Procurement Dept, London House

London Road

Bracknell

RG12 2UT

Job description Job responsibilities

The must haves for this role:

• Public procurement experience (which may be demonstrated by 3-5 years experience or equivalent)

• Knowledge of public procurement law (including the Provider Selection Regime and Public Procurement Act 2023)

• Attained or working towards CIPS Level 5 Advanced Diploma in Procurement and Supply or equivalent

• Track record of managing multiple complex procurement projects and contracts

For further information about the role, please see attached job description and person specification.

We strongly encourage you to review how you meet the criteria in the person specification and write about this point-by-point in your supporting statement for the best chance of being shortlisted.

Were committed to equal opportunities and welcome applications from all sections of the community. Our commitment to inclusion is reflected in our accreditations: Race Equality Matters Silver Trailblazer, Neurodiversity in Business Corporate Member, Disability Confident Leader, Carer Confident Level 2, and the Armed Forces Covenant Gold Award. Reasonable adjustments will be provided to candidates as needed.

We welcome a conversation about flexibility and any other questions you may have. Please dont hesitate to call Mike Pollard on 07521 950239 or by email on [e-mail] wholl be delighted to help.

Please note, we may close this role earlier than the advertised closing date, so please submit your application as soon as possible.

Job description Job responsibilities

The must haves for this role:

• Public procurement experience (which may be demonstrated by 3-5 years experience or equivalent)

• Knowledge of public procurement law (including the Provider Selection Regime and Public Procurement Act 2023)

• Attained or working towards CIPS Level 5 Advanced Diploma in Procurement and Supply or equivalent

• Track record of managing multiple complex procurement projects and contracts

For further information about the role, please see attached job description and person specification.

We strongly encourage you to review how you meet the criteria in the person specification and write about this point-by-point in your supporting statement for the best chance of being shortlisted.

Were committed to equal opportunities and welcome applications from all sections of the community. Our commitment to inclusion is reflected in our accreditations: Race Equality Matters Silver Trailblazer, Neurodiversity in Business Corporate Member, Disability Confident Leader, Carer Confident Level 2, and the Armed Forces Covenant Gold Award. Reasonable adjustments will be provided to candidates as needed.

We welcome a conversation about flexibility and any other questions you may have. Please dont hesitate to call Mike Pollard on 07521 950239 or by email on [e-mail] wholl be delighted to help.

Please note, we may close this role earlier than the advertised closing date, so please submit your application as soon as possible.

Person Specification Education/Qualifications/Training Essential

• CIPS professional diploma qualification (Degree Level)

Previous Experience Essential

• Experience of large public procurement tenders
• Contract management
• Experience of public procurement procedures

Desirable

• Experience in the NHS

Additional Requirements Essential

• Ability to manage high level of workload, multiple complex projects
• Advanced keyboard skills
• Ability to Drive

Person Specification Education/Qualifications/Training Essential

• CIPS professional diploma qualification (Degree Level)

Previous Experience Essential

• Experience of large public procurement tenders
• Contract management
• Experience of public procurement procedures

Desirable

• Experience in the NHS

Additional Requirements Essential

• Ability to manage high level of workload, multiple complex projects
• Advanced keyboard skills
• Ability to Drive

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Additional information 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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Employer details Employer name

Berkshire Healthcare Foundation Trust

Address

Procurement Dept, London House

London Road

Bracknell

RG12 2UT

Employer's website

https://www.berkshirehealthcare.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details Employer name

Berkshire Healthcare Foundation Trust

Address

Procurement Dept, London House

London Road

Bracknell

RG12 2UT

Employer's website

https://www.berkshirehealthcare.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)