Purchasing Assistant

East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust

The closing date is 09 May 2025

Job summary

To ensure that an effective and efficient procurement service is provided to end users within the Trust.

To process non-stock requisitions in line with the Trust Standing Financial Instructions (SFI's). To ensure that price queries are kept to a minimum and resolved efficiently.

To update departmental reporting tools to provide key performance indicators and commercial information to ensure that usage trends are quickly spotted.

To assist in the development, implementation, review and maintenance of a specific range of contracts.

Assist with the achievement of departmental service and savings targets.

To act as an ambassador for the department, influence end users' choice of products and ensure all queries and complaints are dealt with in a professional and positive way.

Main duties of the job

To process non-stock requisitions, with a high level of accuracy, in line with the Trust Standing Financial Instructions (SFI's).

Seek to influence customers to use standardised products and cost effective approaches by proactively monitoring and making suggestions.

Research alternative products and help to identify products for purchase rationalisation.

To act as the initial day to day contact point for all purchasing queries raised by Trust departments and external contacts either verbally, via e-mail or telephone.

To keep price queries to a minimum and resolve any issues promptly and efficiently via liaison with Trust departments, Finance and External contacts.

To act as the initial day to day contact point for queries raised by Third Party provider with regard to Maintenance renewals.

To act as the initial day to day contact point for all Trust departments with regard to non-stock orders, stock queries. Resolved via liaison with Materials Management and NHS Supply Chain.

To act as the initial day to day contact point for all Trust departments with regard to the processing of orders, quotes and queries for Capital Equipment, Charitable Funds, Printing.

To act as the central contact point for product returns and administer the stock returns process on behalf of the Trust.

Where circumstances dictate, to action MDA Alerts via checking of historical purchases and assisting Departments across the Trust.

About us

We operate from three main hospitals - Furness General Hospital (FGH) in Barrow, the Royal Lancaster Infirmary (RLI), and Westmorland General Hospital (WGH) in Kendal, as well as a number of community healthcare premises including Millom Hospital and GP Practice, Queen Victoria Hospital in Morecambe, and Ulverston Community Health Centre.

FGH and the RLI have a range of General Hospital services, with full Emergency Departments, Critical/Coronary Care units and various Consultant-led services.

WGH provides a range of General Hospital services, together with an Urgent Treatment Centre, that can help with a range of non-life threatening conditions such as broken bones and minor illnesses.

All three main hospitals provide a range of planned care including outpatients, diagnostics, therapies, day case and inpatient surgery. In addition, a range of local outreach services and diagnostics are provided from community facilities across Morecambe Bay.

Our community services for adults are provided in people's homes, community centres, clinics, GP Practices, community hospitals and our main hospitals. Our aim is to work with people to help them remain independent, improve their health and manage their conditions through high quality care, advice and support.

Date posted

25 April 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 3

Salary

£24,071 to £25,674 a year Per Annum Pro Rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

435-UHMBL310125-B

Job locations

Moor Lane Mills

Moor Lane

Lancaster

LA1 1QD


Job description

Job responsibilities

To read more information about the advertised role, and the main job duties/responsibilities please open the Job Description and Person Specification located under the supporting documents heading. You can also read more information about University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay visiting our website https://www.uhmb.nhs.uk/

If you have previously applied for this position, please contact the recruiting manager for a conversation before re-applying.

Job description

Job responsibilities

To read more information about the advertised role, and the main job duties/responsibilities please open the Job Description and Person Specification located under the supporting documents heading. You can also read more information about University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay visiting our website https://www.uhmb.nhs.uk/

If you have previously applied for this position, please contact the recruiting manager for a conversation before re-applying.

Person Specification

Education & Qualifications

Essential

  • GCSE Mathematics and English Grade C/level 4 or equivalent

Desirable

  • CIPS Foundation or other Procurement Qualification or equivalent business course.

Work Experience

Essential

  • Call Centre/Customer Service
  • Office Administration
  • Purchase or Sales Order Processing

Desirable

  • Procurement Dept Experience

Skills, Ability & Knowledge

Essential

  • Ability to plan/manage workload in busy environment
  • Working knowldge of Microsoft Word, Excel & Access
  • Good Analytical Skills

Desirable

  • Working knowledge of NHS Logistics on Line
  • Working knowledge of Oracle, Integra, GHX systems
  • Working knowledge of other Purchase Order/Inventory Software

Personal Qualities

Essential

  • Team Player
Person Specification

Education & Qualifications

Essential

  • GCSE Mathematics and English Grade C/level 4 or equivalent

Desirable

  • CIPS Foundation or other Procurement Qualification or equivalent business course.

Work Experience

Essential

  • Call Centre/Customer Service
  • Office Administration
  • Purchase or Sales Order Processing

Desirable

  • Procurement Dept Experience

Skills, Ability & Knowledge

Essential

  • Ability to plan/manage workload in busy environment
  • Working knowldge of Microsoft Word, Excel & Access
  • Good Analytical Skills

Desirable

  • Working knowledge of NHS Logistics on Line
  • Working knowledge of Oracle, Integra, GHX systems
  • Working knowledge of other Purchase Order/Inventory Software

Personal Qualities

Essential

  • Team Player

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

East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust

Address

Moor Lane Mills

Moor Lane

Lancaster

LA1 1QD


Employer's website

http://jobs.elht.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)


Employer details

Employer name

East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust

Address

Moor Lane Mills

Moor Lane

Lancaster

LA1 1QD


Employer's website

http://jobs.elht.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)


For questions about the job, contact:

Purchasing Support Unit Manager

James Lambert

James.Lambert@mbht.nhs.uk

01524551751

Date posted

25 April 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 3

Salary

£24,071 to £25,674 a year Per Annum Pro Rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

435-UHMBL310125-B

Job locations

Moor Lane Mills

Moor Lane

Lancaster

LA1 1QD


Supporting documents

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