Purchasing Assistant

Job responsibilities

To provide efficient and cost effective purchasing and general work flow processing to ensure non-pay goods are ordered, received and available for use in order to maintain adequate stock levels so the clinical services required can be delivered. Workload and efficiency of the department is dependent on the timely availability of all non-pay stock required.

The post holder is expected to ensure that the services provided are responsive to service needs. There is an expectation that the post holder will ensure that the workload is managed consistently and in response to a fluctuating workload.

The post holder will be held responsible for maintaining a safe procurement work areas and will be responsible for ensuring the most efficient use of resources and working practices. The running of the unit procurement service is important to the efficiency and prevention of cancellation of patients throughout the Trust, and therefore expertise and knowledge of the procurement process is essential.

The post holder will work with management, trust groups and procurement personnel to ensure the organisation is getting good value for money on all purchases.

The post holder will represent the unit at non-pay meetings when requested to do so.

The post holder will be expected to provide purchasing cover to other departments within the division in times of annual leave and sickness absence.

Education and Qualifications

Essential

• NVQ Level 2/3 or equivalent/new Diploma Level 2/3 or equivalent or working towards
• Evidence of literacy numeracy skills to GCSE C or equivalent
• Committed to own personal development and evidence of regular attendance training days

Knowledge and Experience

Essential

• Experience of working in a purchasing or comparable environment
• Experience of working within a team
• Experience of managing own workload within agreed boundaries
• Ability to spend periods of time standing and sitting

Desirable

• Experience of communicating with a variety of people in different roles

Skills and Abilities

Essential

• Good interpersonal skills with the ability to effectively communicate with effectively with staff, company representatives and suppliers
• Good organisational and prioritising skills - able to meet deadlines
• Ability to identify problems, use initiative and act appropriately to maintain an efficient services within recognised boundaries
• Ability to respond well to instruction
• Excellent telephone manner
• Computer literacy; specifically Microsoft Word/Excel/Outlook
• Understand and adhere to Data Protection and Trust Policy
• Dexterity - ability to handle/manoeuvre equipment across a wide range of sizes, weights and environments

Aptitudes/qualities

Essential

• Enthusiastic, highly motivated and able to inspire others
• Ability to manage self and exhibit skills, including self-awareness, self-management and drive for improvements
• Analytical
• Flexibility
• Work on own using initiative
• Able to work under pressure to meet deadlines
• Good team player
• Live the Trust Values
• Well presented, polite with a mature attitude to people and work

Desirable

• Innovative

Resource and Change Management

Essential

• Use available resources in the most cost effective way, ensuring safe and efficient service delivery
• To be open to change and have some awareness of its implementation
• Discuss implementation of any possible cost savings and improvements with line manager. Improve quality of services by generating and sharing good practices

Care of non-pay goods

Essential

• Inspect all received goods to ensure they have been received in an acceptable manner. Report any discrepancies in quantity and concerns with condition of goods received to suppliers as soon as is practicable.
• Manage the working environment, ensuring that it is suitable for receiving of goods - keep it safe and tidy as it is a shared space
• Follows and supports Trusts Standing Financial Instructions

Desirable

• Aware of Trust regulations, Manual Handling, COSHH and safety of wearing Personal Protective Equipment

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).