Go back West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust
Band 6 - Senior Buyer, Procurement, Welwyn Garden City
The closing date is 18 May 2026
On behalf of Hertfordshire and West Essex NHS Procurement, the post holder will help produce and implement Purchasing Agreements that reduce non‑pay expenditure for our member trusts. The Postholder will invite offers for Goods and Services, ensure Purchasing Agreements are fully utilised, and will ensure Best Value is achieved. The Postholder will work both at Trust and Confederation level
This is a full‑time role Mon - Fri 37.5hrs per week.
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Please note - we are unable to obtain a Certificate of Sponsorship (Work Permit) for this role.
Main duties of the job
Negotiate Purchasing Agreements for a range of consumables, equipment (including Capital items) and services, above a value stated in Trust SO's/SFI's regarding Tendering, under the guidance of the Associate Director of Clinical Procurement.
Promote Standardisation and Supplier Rationalisation across the Hertfordshire NHS.
Liaise with Trust staff to agree Purchase specifications and offer documentation.
Deliver agreed outcomes in respect of Purchasing projects.
Establish good working relationships with Trust based colleagues.
Work closely with other procurement staff.
Achieve and maintain market knowledge for relevant product areas.
Create product area purchasing strategies, under the guidance of the Associate Director of Clinical Procurement.
Lead and advise Project Groups through Tender process.
Manage Tender waiver requests.
Ensure Tender evaluation and award procedures are followed without challenge from unsuccessful suppliers.
Analyse Tender returns and manage award processes.
Draft Project and Implementation plans.
Utilise electronic purchasing tools.
Establish good Supplier relationships.
Liaise with Trust staff to implement relevant national and other Purchasing Agreements.
Maintain full electronic and paper‑based records relating to Purchasing Agreements, enabling audit trails to be followed.
Maintain relevant sections of the Purchasing Database and Work Programme.
Job responsibilities
Deliver Value for Money agreements in relation to cost, quality, specification and availability/deliverability in line with FTS Legislation and other agreed protocols.
Ensure that Best Value is achieved for all Procurements.
Promote Best Practice in Purchasing and Supply.
Liaise appropriately with all levels of staff within the framework of this role covering NHS Organisations throughout Hertfordshire and the region.
Work closely with other groups the trusts and region e.g. Pathology, Pharmacy and Estates.
Will be required where necessary to supervise buyers to ensure an effective and efficient procurement service is provided to end users.
Build professional relationships and promote the benefits of procurement services to clients.
Ensure all orders, invoice queries and new item requests are processed correctly.
Proactively monitor usage trends in support of compliance to contract terms, enabling achievement of cost savings.
Influence end users and help to standardise and rationalise products and services.
Implement change/improvements and support and enable self and others to enhance expertise and help to build procurement capability.
Person Specification
Education and qualifications
* MCIPS Qualified or working Towards MCIPS.
* Evidence of CPD.
Knowledge
* Knowledge of Best Practice in Purchasing.
* Knowledge of email, word processing and spreadsheet IT applications.
* Specialist knowledge of purchasing and supply chain management techniques.
* Knowledge of Database and Presentation IT applications.
* Knowledge of EU / FTS Procurement Regulations.
Experience
* Experience in Purchasing and Supply.
* Proven track record of implementing Purchasing Agreements.
* Experience of working in a Customer focused environment.
* Experience of working within the NHS and an understanding of current issue.
* Experience of working within the NHS and an understanding of current issue.
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.
If you have a disability or long‑term health condition and require support or guidance please contact westherts.recruitment@nhs.net.
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