Operational Buyer

Job description

Job responsibilities

Specific Core Functions

1. Procurement Advisory - provide end users with procurement advise to support our front line services.

2. Operational Buying - responsibility for managing the requisition to purchase order placement for both. Clinical and non-Clinical services and supplies up to a PO/contract value of £50K, this activity will include:

Identifying available national contracts to be able to make an informed decision on the most appropriate buying route and when better value will be obtained by producing a bespoke quotation exercise for one or more of our clients.

Identifying new sources of supply and completing competitive quotation and tendering exercises as required using an e-procurement source to contract system.

Undertake procurement activity in line with procurement regulations and Trust Standing Orders/Financial Instructions.

3. Catalogue Management - Support for the setup, updating and maintenance of all electronic relevant to the client organisation.

Communicating with suppliers and user departments.

Support in the development and implementation of operational procurement processes.

NHS Trust Expectations of the Job Holder

The post holder is expected to:

1. Proactively and positively contribute to the successful overall performance of the procurement team.

2. Deliver excellent levels of customer service to our colleagues in the NHS Trusts that we support.

3. Act as an advocate and develop trusted adviser relationships with staff.

4. Develop and support the culture of collaborative, flexible cross-team working and commitment to delivering quality services and outcomes.

5. Work with sensitivity and an understanding of the issues facing those working to deliver health services to the UK population.

6. Comply with corporate governance structure in keeping with the principles and standards set out by the NHS Trusts that we support.

7. Develop effective ways of working and create strong partnerships and relationships with all stakeholders to support the implementation of the Governments policies on Health.

Key responsibilities

Responsibility for all procurement and supplier contracts and pricing agreements up to £50,000.

To manage and create purchase orders (POs) from electronic requisitions within Oracle, for goods and services to be ordered direct from suppliers on behalf of our NHS colleagues.

To obtain value for money for the services and supplies purchased by using existing contract arrangements or carrying out a competitive quotation process and negotiating best possible prices with suppliers.

To ensure all procurement-buying activity is conducted compliantly, within NHS Financial Instructions/Policies, public sector procurement regulations and procedures.

Responsible for the placing purchasing orders including ad hoc/spot buying, blanket orders and call off orders in accordance with agreed procedures and performance targets.

Query Management handling a range of procurement related queries covering requisitions/requisition approvals, POs, goods receipting, pricing and invoice queries.

To process invoice queries and payment requests within Oracle on the Shared Business Service (SBS) platform and handle all associated queries.

To expedite and progress outstanding purchase orders with suppliers on behalf of departments in order to secure prompt and efficient delivery.

Person specification

Essential criteria

Customer service orientated

Confident with good communication skills (oral & written)

• Problem solving abilities
• Enthusiastic with a positive can-do approach
• Persuasive with good influencing skills
• Ability to prioritise
• Hard working and diligent
• Attention to detail
• Computer literate with experience of Microsoft Office: Word, Teams, Excel and Outlook

Desirable criteria

• Previous public and/or private sector procurement experience
• Previous experience and or background working in the NHS in a procurement or customer service /administrative role

What we can offer

A generous starting salary package, NHS Pension Scheme and Blue Light Discounts & Benefits

Annual leave starting at 27 days rising to 33 days with continued service

Excellent work-life balance

Flexible hybrid working arrangements following training period

Ability to work at the main office hub in Fareham

Fully funded professional development & support towards CIPS qualifications including Corporate membership, study days, learning materials etc.

Free Car Parking at the Fareham hub.

On the job training for continuous development in Operational Procurement

The opportunity to develop your career & skill sets in Procurement working for the NHS

A fun, social and diverse team environment and a variety of procurement activities and projects to get involved in.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Good general standard of education including Mathematics
• & English Language

Desirable

• Previous buying/procure to pay (P2P) experience
• Previous experience working in the NHS

Skills and Knowledge

Essential

• Good negotiating skills
• Excellent customer service skills
• Good communication skills (written & oral)
• Interpersonal skills persuasive with good influencing skills
• Problem solver with analytical skills
• Diligent and passionate about making a real and positive impact high
• attention to detail

Desirable

• Experience of obtaining competitive quotations
• Experience of negotiating with suppliers in a large organisation and a
• track record of achieving significant cost reductions
• Experience of working within the public sector
• Application & Interview

Employer details

Employer name

Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust

Address

Unit 8 Manor Court

Barnes Wallis Road,

Segensworth, Fareham

PO15 5TH

Employer's website

https://www.porthosp.nhs.uk/work-for-us/ (Opens in a new tab)