Go back Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust
Senior Buyer
The closing date is 17 June 2026
This vacancy is currently only open to Herefordshire and Worcestershire NHS staff (including PCN/GP Practices).
The Procurement Directorate is seeking a motivated and forward-thinking individual to play a key role in delivering a cost-effective, efficient and responsive procurement service for the Trust.
This is an exciting opportunity for an exceptional person with the vision, drive and skills to help strengthen the impact of procurement across the organisation. Working closely with colleagues, you will support the team in raising the profile of procurement and ensuring it continues to add real value to patient care and the wider Trust.
Main duties of the job
The post holder will carry out secure and compliant procurement processes to obtain best value for money in the procurement of all goods and services in support of the achievement of the agreed procurement savings targets.
To lead the procurement requirements for the assigned projects within the Procurement work plan by negotiating a range of complex, high value contracts, providing best value across the range of products and services contracted.
Analyse procurement activity recorded by internal systems in order to identify procurement opportunities.
To assist in the provision of a procurement service that supports customers in developing opportunities and achieving value for money.
About us
Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust is a large acute and specialised hospital trust that provides a range of local acute services to the residents of Worcestershire and more specialised services to a larger population in Herefordshire and beyond. The Trust operates hospital-based services from three sites in Kidderminster, Redditch and Worcester. Our workforce is more than 7,000 strong, and our caring staff are recognised as providing good and outstanding patient-centred care.
Job responsibilities
Support the Head of Procurement or Senior Category Manager in ensuring all non-pay spend is governed by and subject to proficient procurement.
Liaise with budget holders/departmental managers to gain authority to formulate Trust-wide contracts.
To lead on a defined portfolio of projects within one or more categories under the direction of the Head of Procurement or Senior Category Manager.
Undertake quotation/tender exercises where appropriate to obtain best value for requirements in accordance with the Trust’s standing financial instructions.
Under the direction of a senior member of the team, undertake tenders in accordance with the guidelines of the Official Journal of the European Union (OJEU).
To support other members of the team with any formal tenders as and when necessary.
To use the electronic tendering system and contracts finder portals.
To work in conjunction with collaborative procurement organisations including, but not limited to NHS Supply Chain, Crown Commercial Services etc.
Review non-pay spend and complete cost comparisons on available alternative products to identify and report potential savings.
Manage contracts to ensure the compliance of suppliers to terms specified within contracts to ensure the Trust in obtaining best value.
Lead, manage, evaluate and report the findings of product trials.
To assist with the development of specifications for requirements.
To assist with the development of robust evaluation criteria for all accreditation processes to ensure that they are transparent and capable of withstanding legal challenge.
To produce a project plan for each procurement to highlight the key milestones, identify any barriers and alternatives to circumnavigate these problems to deliver the projects on time.
Report any barriers to the progression of any projects following the departmental procedures after making every effort to progress prior to escalating.
Ensure the timely provision of project progress and savings delivery to feed into workplan and monthly reporting timescales.
Report agreed savings to the Head of Procurement or Senior Category Manager as per department procedures to ensure timely reporting to the PMO.
Reviews with suppliers the most appropriate route for product delivery to obtain maximum benefit for the Trust’s Supply Chain.
Attend meetings on behalf of the department and follow up on actions in a timely way.
To communicate clearly and succinctly, using the appropriate language for the audience in a way which motivates and supports other members of the team. Communications will involve complex information where persuasive, negotiating skills are required and will be:
* Face to face, MS Teams and Telephone
* Within formal and informal meetings
* Written. Letters, memorandum, e-mail, and reports
* Through presentations
To respond to local clinical staff and potential or existing provider enquiries, either written, email, face to face or telephone using empathy and judgement in an efficient and effective way.
To advise customers and implement and legal or financial changes within EU, Public Contracts Regulations and Guidance and procurement thresholds.
To liaise with other procurement specialists and other team members on a daily basis in order to ensure accurate and up to date information related to the procurement plan is disseminated.
The post holder will work closely with a number of Clinical Management Teams to assist them in meeting their Cost Improvement plans.
To assist the Head of Procurement or Senior Category Manager with implementation of departmental policies, procedures and strategies.
To be responsible for the delivery of a number of strategic objectives within the Trust’s Procurement Strategy document.
Implement and support devolved purchasing order processing for particular supplies customers ensuring that purchasing is undertaken within the agreed parameters and in accordance with the Trust’s Standing Orders and Standing Financial Instructions.
Actively pursue further use of the purchasing systems and the use of those systems for monitoring the financial influence of supplies.
Carry out research and contributes advice on the introduction of new products and ensures that appropriate trials are undertaken and recorded and assist with the standardisation programme.
The post holder will work closely with user departments, usually as part of a Multi-Disciplinary Team, in order to understand their need and interpret these through to the appropriate commercial agreements.
Undertaking any other assignments or duties allocated by the Head of Procurement or Senior Category Manager. The work pattern is unpredictable due to the requirement to respond to urgent requests from Trust Managers and suppliers.
Person Specification
Qualifications
* Good standard of General Education.
* Educated to degree level and/or relevant experience.
* Demonstrate evidence of continuing professional development and training.
* Demonstrate training which has assisted in the development of others and a positive and proactive approach to staff development.
* C.I.P.S. or studying towards.
* Formal qualification or training in an IT network/systems technology.
Skills & Knowledge
* Thorough knowledge and understanding of Supply Chain Management, Contract processes and Contract Law.
* Understanding of customer requirements that are particular to the healthcare industry.
* Clear understanding of prioritising workload and how this can be achieved.
* Ability to solve complex contracting problems innovatively.
* Knowledge of Inventory Management Systems and issues.
* Ability to communicate effectively in terms that can be understood across all professions within the Trust.
Internal NHS Job Vacancy
* This vacancy is currently only open to Herefordshire and Worcestershire NHS staff (including PCN/GP Practices). Please confirm below which NHS organisation in Herefordshire and Worcestershire you currently work for.
Experience
* Experience within a healthcare environment, managing multiple projects.
* Experience working with senior clinicians and managers on complex projects.
* Experience negotiating and persuading colleagues to adopt best procurement practice.
Employer name
Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust
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