South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust

Buyer

The closing date is 27 April 2026

Job summary

Are you an organised, motivated and proactive individual who enjoys working in a busy and supportive environment? An exciting opportunity has arisen within the Procurement Department for a Buyer, based at South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust Headquarters in Exeter.

The successful candidate will have a keen interest in procurement and purchasing, strong organisational skills, and the ability to communicate effectively with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders. You will support the procurement team in delivering efficient purchasing activity, ensuring value for money, compliance with Trust procedures, and a high standard of customer service.

South Western Ambulance Service covers approximately 20% of the UK's landmass, making it one of the busiest and most operationally diverse ambulance trusts. This provides a varied and fast-paced working environment, supporting the Trust in meeting the increasing demands placed on the NHS.

The team currently operates a hybrid working model, combining home and office working, with attendance at the Exeter HQ once a fortnight on a Wednesday.

PLEASE NOTE THAT INTERVIEWS WILL BE IN PERSON IN EXETER, INTERVIEWS WILL NOT BE HELD VIA MS TEAMS

Main duties of the job

- Support the management of the procurement across Category portfolios

- Ensure the Trust is compliant with the Standard Financial Instructions (SFIs) in terms of procurement activities

- To support and conduct tendering activity / request for quotation in line with the appropriate legislation

- Help Keep momentum in the workflow and to process requisitions in line with the Trust SFIs and to release approved orders in a timely manner

- To support the contracts database

- Responsible for new supplier registration process, in line with Oracle and the procurement procedures

- Responsible for managing incident report which are referred to procurement and escalating up the supply chain for resolution

- To support the procurement team for general enquires /mail box

- To support the team in compiling information for spend analysis

About us

Working for us is an experience like no other. We provide emergency and urgent care, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, operating across the largest ambulance region in England and responding to an average of 2,650 incidents every day.

We remain committed to ensuring that we provide the best possible care for all our patients, which is reflected in our new five-year strategy which has continually improving patient care at its very core.

The role is based in Exeter, one of the most vibrant, attractive and historically interesting cities in England, with excellent transport links and a great mix of independent shops, cafes and bars.

If you embody our values of one team, compassionate and innovative and are looking to make a real difference to peoples' lives, then we would love to hear from you.

In return we will equip you with the skills and resources you need to thrive in your role.

You will have opportunities to progress to roles across the Trust and enjoy continuous professional development.

Benefitso Competitive NHS salaryo A standard working week of 37.5 hourso Holiday entitlements of 27 days per year, plus general and public holidays, rising to 29 days after 5 years and 33 days after 10 yearso Generous Pension Schemeo Career and salary progressiono Car leasing schemeo Free parking across Trust siteso Staff networkso Wide range of discounts from various organisations across the UK

Details

Date posted

14 April 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 4

Salary

£28,392 to £31,157 a year per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

202-7901618

Job locations

Trust Headquarters

Abbey Court, Eagle Way

Exeter

EX2 7HY


Job description

Job responsibilities

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

Right to work / Certificate of sponsorshipThis role does not meet the criteria for Skilled Worker visa sponsorship under current Home Office regulations. You must have the existing right to work in the UK to be considered for this position.For further information on visa sponsorship and eligibility, please refer to the UK Government guidance on Skilled Worker visas: www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa

Job description

Job responsibilities

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

Right to work / Certificate of sponsorshipThis role does not meet the criteria for Skilled Worker visa sponsorship under current Home Office regulations. You must have the existing right to work in the UK to be considered for this position.For further information on visa sponsorship and eligibility, please refer to the UK Government guidance on Skilled Worker visas: www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa

Person Specification

Education and qualifications

Essential

  • Educated to GCSE or equivalent standard, including English and Mathematics

Desirable

  • Fully MCIPS Qualified
  • Working towards Foundation Level CIPS

Previous experience

Essential

  • Previous administration experience
  • Previous experience of working with sensitive and confidential data
  • Previous experience of developing and maintaining record systems

Desirable

  • Procurement knowledge in NHS/public sector environment
Person Specification

Education and qualifications

Essential

  • Educated to GCSE or equivalent standard, including English and Mathematics

Desirable

  • Fully MCIPS Qualified
  • Working towards Foundation Level CIPS

Previous experience

Essential

  • Previous administration experience
  • Previous experience of working with sensitive and confidential data
  • Previous experience of developing and maintaining record systems

Desirable

  • Procurement knowledge in NHS/public sector environment

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.

Employer details

Employer name

South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Trust Headquarters

Abbey Court, Eagle Way

Exeter

EX2 7HY


Employer's website

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


Employer details

Employer name

South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Trust Headquarters

Abbey Court, Eagle Way

Exeter

EX2 7HY


Employer's website

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


Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Head of Procurement

Sharon Murphy

sharon.murphy@swast.nhs.uk

07920781297

Details

Date posted

14 April 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 4

Salary

£28,392 to £31,157 a year per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

202-7901618

Job locations

Trust Headquarters

Abbey Court, Eagle Way

Exeter

EX2 7HY


Supporting documents

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