Job summary
We have a vacancy within the Procurement Team for a Band 3 Assistant Buyer. This is an exciting opportunity for anyone with great customer service skills to start a career in procurement.
The post holder will support the Head of Procurement and the wider procurement team in providing an effective and efficient procurement service through customer service, the processing of purchase orders and undertaking competitive exercises.
Responsible for the purchase of goods and services in accordance with the Trust's Standing Financial Instructions, and procurement policies and procedures. They will assist with identifying usage trends that could lead to process improvements and achieve cost savings.
Assistant Buyer is required to act as an ambassador for the Procurement department, assist in influencing end user's choice or products and make sure all queries and complaints are dealt with in a professional and positive manner.
Main duties of the job
The post holder will:
Review, add value and process electronic requests for goods and services on the Trust's ordering system (Oracle) within the appropriate timescales with adherence to the Trust's Standing Financial Instructions and procurement policies and procedures.
They will identify savings, rationalisation, and standardisation opportunities to support delivery of the procurement department's savings target.
They will manage allocated suppliers, and others as required, within the catalogue management system (GHX) and look to automate non-catalogue requisitions where possible.
Undertake preparation and invitation of quotations and analyse the financial and purchasing options, including supplier negotiation, and make recommendations in respect of those quotations received, considering the commercially confidential nature of the information being handled.
Problem solving relating to sourcing alternative suppliers for financial or delivery reasons.
Demonstrate excellent communication and customer service skills.
Advise end-users to make use of existing contract/purchasing agreements as necessary prior to the placing of purchase orders, ensuring value for money is obtained, by assisting with the contract monitoring of the Trust's contracts.
About us
All new colleagues can expect to receive a warm and friendly Wirral welcome from the very first time they make contact with us. We are described as "competent and caring staff" by our patients.
Wirral University Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is situated on The Wirral peninsula which has a stunning coastline and beautiful countryside surroundings, with great activities for its residents.
We are one of the largest and busiest acute Trusts in the North West of England, comprising of the Wirral's only Emergency Department. We provide a high quality range of acute care services and employ over 6,000 staff, who serve a population of approximately 400,000 people across Wirral, Ellesmere Port, Neston, North Wales and the wider North West footprint.
We have approximately 855 beds trust-wide and our financial turnover is in excess of £337m.
The Wirral is easily accessible with excellent transport links including motorway, train, bus or ferry and within easy reach to the major cities of Liverpool, Chester and Manchester as well as neighbouring North Wales.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please see the attached job description and person specification and do not hesitate to contact us to discuss the role.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please see the attached job description and person specification and do not hesitate to contact us to discuss the role.
Person Specification
Qualifications, Specific Experience & Training
Essential
- Good basic education to GCSE standard or equivalent, including Maths and English
- A Level qualification OR educated to NVQ Level 3 equivalent, OR Advanced certificate in procurement and supply, OR ability to demonstrate understanding of or has worked within a role that includes basic purchasing principles, stock contract, and customer care
Desirable
- ECDL or equivalent
- Experience of using Microsoft Word & Excel in a business setting
- Experience of transactional purchasing in an NHS procurement setting with an electronic purchasing system
Knowledge and Skills
Essential
Personal Attributes
Essential
- Customer focused , helpful and professional attitude
- Commitment to personal and professional development
Other Requirements
Essential
- Able to attend at other sites of the Trust if required
Desirable
- Hold a full driving licence
Personal Attributes
Essential
- Excellent communication and persuasive skills
- Excellent organisation skills with the ability to prioritise workload to address conflicting demands
- Be able to concentrate for long and unbroken periods of time
- Able to work effectively under pressure
- Commitment to the continuous improvement of the service
- Demonstrates a willingness to work flexibly to deliver the service and support others in the team
Knowledge & Skills
Essential
- Good Analytical and data interrogation skills
- Able to read, absorb and interpret often complex information and communicate it to non-procurement staff
- Able to effectively plan and prioritise workload and balance competing priorities
Desirable
- Knowledge of the public sector procurement framework and the principles of transparency, and fair and open competition
Person Specification
Qualifications, Specific Experience & Training
Essential
- Good basic education to GCSE standard or equivalent, including Maths and English
- A Level qualification OR educated to NVQ Level 3 equivalent, OR Advanced certificate in procurement and supply, OR ability to demonstrate understanding of or has worked within a role that includes basic purchasing principles, stock contract, and customer care
Desirable
- ECDL or equivalent
- Experience of using Microsoft Word & Excel in a business setting
- Experience of transactional purchasing in an NHS procurement setting with an electronic purchasing system
Knowledge and Skills
Essential
Personal Attributes
Essential
- Customer focused , helpful and professional attitude
- Commitment to personal and professional development
Other Requirements
Essential
- Able to attend at other sites of the Trust if required
Desirable
- Hold a full driving licence
Personal Attributes
Essential
- Excellent communication and persuasive skills
- Excellent organisation skills with the ability to prioritise workload to address conflicting demands
- Be able to concentrate for long and unbroken periods of time
- Able to work effectively under pressure
- Commitment to the continuous improvement of the service
- Demonstrates a willingness to work flexibly to deliver the service and support others in the team
Knowledge & Skills
Essential
- Good Analytical and data interrogation skills
- Able to read, absorb and interpret often complex information and communicate it to non-procurement staff
- Able to effectively plan and prioritise workload and balance competing priorities
Desirable
- Knowledge of the public sector procurement framework and the principles of transparency, and fair and open competition
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.
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.
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
Wirral University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust
Address
Procurement Department, Willow House
Clatterbridge Hospital, Clatterbridge Road
Bebington
CH63 4JY
Employer's website
https://www.wuth.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)