Buyer

Job summary Wessex NHS Procurement Limited is delighted to offer a fantastic opportunity to work with us.
Please see below for a detailed job description of the role.
Please note WPL does not hold a Home Office Workers Licence and therefore unable to offer sponsorship.
Main duties of the job An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Buyer to join Wessex NHS Procurement Ltd (WPL).
This is a great opportunity for a person starting a career within Procurement!
Our Buyers support the Senior Buyer and Procurement Managers in the delivery of the Cost Improvement Plan ( and to ensure an effective and efficient e-procurement service is provided to end users.
They provide a high level of customer service to both internal and external customers, using initiative to provide an effective procurement service.
In this role, you will be responsible for processing Non-Catalogue requisitions within an agreed time frame, ensuring that governance policies are adhered to and enforced, whilst continually reviewing requests to identify opportunities for catalogue development and spotting trends to actively develop further supplier contracts.
You will also assist senior staff to implement change and seek to continuously improve the service to our clients and enhance procurement expertise.
This full-time position primarily involves remote working, with occasional monthly visits (roughly 2-4 days each month) to our office at Basingstoke and North Hampshire Hospital.
About us At WPL we play a vital role for the NHS in Hampshire providing end-to-end procurement and supply chain services for University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust and Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.
Wholly owned by both Trusts, at WPL you'll be part of the larger NHS family and contributing to improving healthcare across the region.
Our services include strategic sourcing, value creation, tendering, contract and inventory management, distribution and materials management for hospitals in Basingstoke, Winchester, Andover and Southampton.
You'll be part of a dynamic and like-minded team working with stakeholders on challenging targets to drive innovation, value and efficiency from procurement and supply.
To recognise and reward your contribution we provide a range of great staff benefits.
You'll be eligible for a generous NHS pension scheme, 35 days paid holiday, as well as all standard NHS terms of service and annual leave.
Our employee benefits platform offers you discounts on a range of items, from the weekly grocery shop, high street shopping, days out with the family, and even holidays.
Some of our offices now operate on a hybrid model, where you can access the office space as required for your role, and work from home or the office as you see fit.
To learn more about us, visit Job description Job responsibilities What we're looking for General Duties Build collaborative relationships: Communicate with and brief clinicians and other service users on costs and benefits associated with products/services.
Seek to develop productive on-going relationships with end users and suppliers to achieve best value.
Maintain regular contact with end users and suppliers; develop knowledge of service requirements and provide relevant information.
Identify services that would increase the efficiency of those you support and take action to investigate and implement.
Identify and network with contracting and materials management teams.
Deal with urgent requests to ensure product availability to facilitate delivery of services, and adjust work plans and resources accordingly.
Mentor and train new staff and cross-cover for your team members.
Share best Practice within the team.
Strategic purchasing and supply activity: Align to WPL vision, procurement strategies, legislation, policies and procedures and work plans to deliver the agreed portfolio of procurement projects.
Identify and report cost reductions from product standardisation and rationalisation.
Manage resources to deliver agreed work plans, showing a willingness to be flexible to reflect changing priorities.
Achieve cost savings through use of procurement and sourcing solutions.
Ensure appropriate compliance on all purchases and ensure accuracy on all orders.
Complete quotation exercises Analyse spend reports and identify trends to improve catalogue coverage and identify CIP opportunities Liaison and networking: Act as help desk contact for customers and supplier representatives, liaising with suppliers over details of orders to ensure accuracy.
Respond promptly to enquiries and complaints and ensure user requests are actioned effectively to support front line services.
Promote closer working relationships between procurement and supply chain colleagues.
General buying: Generate purchase orders from approved requisitions assigned to the Buyers workflow daily, within the agreed SLA, and using the Trust e-Procurement IT System Make use of national contracts where available.
Spot trends and analyse product usage to identify opportunities to increase contract coverage working closely with the Strategic Team.
Ensure catalogues are fit for purpose and kept up to date, using available data to advise decisions Advise customers on Standing Financial Instructions, including procurement governance requirements Provide management information when required to support work of contracting teams to increase contract coverage using the appropriate Contract Management IT System.
Participate in team building, training and development.
Day to day administration: Comply with all administrative procedures to ensure compliance with best practice procurement.
Communicate effectively with the team on day-to-day priorities, workload management and team morale to ensure cohesive service delivery.
Supports induction of new starters, training in own area of work.
Use initiative to challenge BAU so we achieve improved results and efficiencies and share good practice with Procurement Managers.
Person Specification Aptitudes and Skills Essential Good written skills Qualifications / training required Essential Certificate in Purchasing & Supply (level 3) or able to demonstrate an equivalent level of knowledge, skills and experience Passed GCSE Mathematics and English Desirable Understanding of contract law, EU Procurement law, Corporate Governance Member of CIPS or equivalent Previous or relevant experience necessary Essential Knowledge and interest of office and/or procurement areas Desirable Market and supplier / product knowledge including Procedures and catalogue management Track record of achieving cost reductions Experience of obtaining quotations Procure to Pay system knowledge Supply chain knowledge Experience in a customer service environment Working knowledge of public sector procurement processes Values and Behaviours Essential Able to demonstrate behaviours that meet WPL's values