Supply Chain Assistant

Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust; Bedford; On-site; GBP 22,000 - 27,000; Full time

Job summary

Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is seeking a Supply Chain Assistant (Band AFC Band 2) on a fixed-term 12-month contract at Bedford Hospital. The role supports the receipts and distribution team, records goods received, signs deliveries, and helps maintain stock levels across wards and departments.

Hours are full-time (37.5 per week, 8am-4pm, Monday to Friday). Applicants should have good customer service skills, be IT‑literate and able to work with internal and external stakeholders

Qualifications

• Good GCSE or equivalent.
• Experience in a physically demanding role.
• Experience in warehouse/goods in environment.
• Evidence of customer service skills.
• Evidence of using manual handling aids.
• Previous NHS experience.
• IT literate and proficient in Microsoft Office.

Responsibilities

• Provide assistance to receipts and distribution team as needed.
• Deliver goods to end-users across the Trust facilities.
• Sort pallets and handle stock movement.
• Operate mechanical aids safely and keep areas clean.
• Record goods received and distributed accurately.

Skills

Customer service

IT literate

Microsoft Office

Education

GCSE A-C or equivalent

Tools

Handheld data capture unit

Job description

Main area Supply Chain Assistant Grade AFC Band 2 Contract 12 months (Fixed term) Hours Full time - 37.5 hours per week (Mon to Fri 8am to 4pm) Job ref 418-COR8220-HC

Site Bedford Hospital Town Bedford Salary £24,169 pa Salary period Yearly Closing 01/09/2026 23:59 Interview date 15/09/2026

Job overview

We are looking for an enthusiastic and self-motivated individual to join our small Receipts and Distribution Team based at Bedford Hospital.

The successful candidate will assist in all aspects of the Stores environment including use of Trust software systems to record goods received, gaining staff signatures for goods delivered, and helping to maintain stock levels of items held on site.

We are looking for a good natured person with excellent Customer services skills who can liaise with internal and external stakeholders both face to face, and over phone/email communications.

The role involves movement of goods which can be heavy/bulky so the successful candidate will have a reasonable level of physical fitness.

Previous applicants need not apply

Main duties of the job

A highly motivated individual is required to undertake the role of Supply Chain Assistant at this busy NHS Foundation trust.

To provide cover as required across the receipts and distribution team and materials management team .

To assist in the delivery of an effective and professional Supply Chain service to meet departmental objectives in compliance with the Trust’s Standing Financial Instructions and Standing Orders.

To assist in the delivery of goods throughout the trust ensuring that health and safety regulations are adhered to.

To assist in the receipting in of goods delivered in to the trust.

To assist with maintaining agreed levels of stock items on hospital wards and departments, ensuring agreed service levels are met. Inputting data via a hand held capture unit. Receipting and putting away of stock items.

Working for our organisation

Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust provides hospital services to a growing population of around 700,000 people living across Bedfordshire and the surrounding areas across two busy hospital sites in Bedford and Luton. Both hospital sites offer key services such as A&E, Obstetrics-led Maternity and Paediatrics. You will be joining a friendly, high performing Trust committed to ensuring the health and wellbeing of staff. As one of the largest NHS Trusts in our region you will have access to a programme of high quality training and development to help you grow your career. The Trust continues to be committed to delivering the best patient care using the best clinical knowledge and technology available.

Our values

We not only recruit based on qualifications and experience - we recruit individuals who demonstrate the behaviours which underpin our Trusts core values. We achieve this by using values based recruitment. We are dedicated to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible for everyone, we are committed to promoting equality and diversity, and creating a culture that values differences.

Please note that vacancies may close prior to the advertised closing date when sufficient number of applications have been received. All new staff will be subject to a probationary period covering first 6 months in post. Travel between hospital sites may be required. Please review all documents attached to ensure you familiarise yourself with all requirements of the job

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

• Provide assistance to the receipts and distribution team when required. Duties including but not limited to:
• Delivering goods throughout the trust in an efficient safe and secure manner to the correct end-users.
• To sort pallets of goods as and when required.
• To operate mechanical aids in a responsible manner, keeping equipment and working areas safe, clean and tidy.
• Keep accurate records or goods received and distributed.
• Assist with queries in regards to received and delivered goods.
• Supporting the receipts and distribution team as and when required.
• Providing cover for the Goods Receiving Officer and Distribution Officers at times of absence.
• Undertake training on e-procurement system and other related systems to be able to provide cover as required.
• Provide assistance to the materials management team when required. Duties including but not limited to:
• Ensuring orders are placed on behalf of the customer to meet their requirements. Operating the materials management system using automatic data capture unit and on line computer communication.
• Check and put away received goods in the correct stock locations in the ward ensuring stock rotation.
• Processing returns efficiently, monitoring their progress.
• Supporting the materials management team as and when required.
• Providing cover for ward inventory controllers at times of absence
• Comply with the principles of risk management including health and safety legislation, promoting high standards and acting immediately on hazards or unsafe practices in conjunction with other staff.
• Participate in appraisals and personal reviews and work to achieve agreed set objectives.
• Participate in appropriate training and development activities.
• Carry out any other duties as may be required by the Supply Chain Manager that may be reasonably expected within the scope of the post (including the work of colleagues during periods of absence and peak workloads).
• Act responsibly and respectfully when providing assistance to all stakeholders.

Person specification

Qualifications

• Good standard to inlcude GCSE A-C or equivalent

Experience

• Experience of physically demanding role
• Previous experience of warehouse/goods in environment
• Evidence of Customer Service skills
• Evidence of using Manual Handling aids
• Previous NHS Experience

Skills

• IT literate
• Proficient in Microsoft Office

Personal Qualities

• Evidence of good attendance and timekeeping
• Evidence of working in a team environment
• Ability to prioritise service requirement and meet deadline

It is an exciting time to join Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. We run two busy hospital sites in Bedford and Luton. Our 7,500 staff provide high quality care for a growing population of around 700,000 across Bedfordshire and the surrounding areas.

You will be joining a friendly, high performing Trust committed to ensuring the health and wellbeing of staff. As one of the largest NHS Trusts in our region you will have access to a programme of high quality training and development to help you grow your career. Travel between hospital sites may be required. We have state-of-the art facilities placing us at the heart of cutting edge health care. The Trust continues to be committed to delivering the best patient care using the best clinical knowledge and technology available.

All new staff will be subject to a probationary period covering their first six months in post.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Name Helen Cook Job title Supply Chain Manager Email address [e-mail] Telephone number 01582 497043 Additional information

For further information please contact Helen Cook 01582 497043.