Lead Divisional Buyer

NHS; Kendal; Hybrid; GBP 29,000 - 37,000; Full time

Job description

The Procurement & Supplies Team provides services to both University Hospitals Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust and North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust.

The Lead Buyer role within the Procurement & Supplies Department is seen as a key role and an opportunity for candidates to join a vibrant, highly driven Procurement Team, based across numerous sites within both Trusts.

The Lead Buyer role is required within the Clinical / Non Clinical Teams, working with key stakeholders including clinicians, nursing colleagues, estates and facilities, and IT, to lead a range of procurement projects.

The role briefly consists of leading on self-identified and allocated projects under the direction of the Integrated Procurement Manager, delivering against agreed timescales and outcomes for the specified areas across all or some of the Trust's within the scope of the Integrated Procurement Team.

Responsible for the sourcing and procuring of goods, equipment, materials and services, meeting customer requirements, ensuring compliance with Public Procurement Legislation, UK Law, Trust Standing Financial Instructions and NHS Procurement Guidance.

To identify and deliver savings and cost reduction opportunities.

Main duties of the job

• Lead a range of clinical and non-clinical procurement projects including planning and selection strategies; tendering and commercial dialogue. Involving close engagement with staff, including clinicians, nursing colleagues, finance, estates and facilities, IT and external stakeholders to achieve a cost-effective procurement of materials and/or services.
• Plan, negotiate and deliver a cost reduction work plan for materials and/or services, working closely with clinical staff including senior managers and external stakeholders without compromising quality of service.
• Assess and advise financial implications of contract awards to all stakeholders, reporting formally on the implications of supplier, service and product changes. Influence key internal stakeholders to accept any recommended product/service changes or if no agreement, escalate to the relevant senior team member.
• Provide professional advice to Trust staff including senior managers in respect of the procurement process, including Public Procurement Legislation, UK Law, Trust Standing Financial Instructions and NHS Procurement Guidance.
• Responsible for the tendering of complex and high-value contracts typically from £100k to in excess of 5 million for services and materials, ensuring value for money and statutory procurement requirements are adhered to and achieving project sign off for all procurement decisions.

About us

We operate from five main hospitals - Furness General Hospital (FGH) in Barrow, the Royal Lancaster Infirmary (RLI), Westmorland General Hospital (WGH) in Kendal, Cumberland Infirmary (CIC) in Carlisle and West Cumberland Hospital (WCH) in Whitehaven as well as a number of community health care premises across Cumbria and North Lancashire.

The Lead Buyer role can operate on a hybrid basis, with a minimum of 40% or two days per week in the office. Owing to the need to develop high-level working relationships with Trust stakeholders and suppliers, there is a requirement to work flexibly with regards to site working and be able to work from/attend meetings at sites across Cumbria and North Lancashire as appropriate.

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.

Person Specification

Education & Qualifications

• CIPS (Chartered Institute of Purchasing & Supply)
• GCSE A level or equivalent Mathematics & English
• ECDL qualification or equivalent
• Evidence of personal development via completion of Procurement and/or Business/Organisational focused courses
• Degree Level Business Studies or equivalent

Experience

• Substantial experience within a strategic Procurement environment at a Lead/Senior Buyer level
• Experience of leading and negotiating high-value complex procurement projects
• Current up-to-date understanding of public procurement directives and legislation
• Current up-to-date understanding of contract law
• Knowledge and experience of the tender process, producing specifications and tender documentation in accordance with customer/client requirements
• NHS or public sector background in Procurement
• Knowledge & experience of procurement within NHS Clinical environment

Skills, ability & knowledge

• Ability to analyse complex information, interpret in a clear, comprehensive format
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to engage with and influence clinical/non-clinical stakeholders at senior level
• Able to work independently and use own initiative with minimal supervision
• Able to work under pressure, planning and prioritising to meet changing demands and timescales

Personal Qualities

• Confidence to establish positive working relationships with key stakeholders at all levels
• Able to influence, be assertive with tact & diplomacy
• Happy to have a 'blended' approach to work, being able to work from home whilst also being able to work from/attend any site location depending upon project/operational needs

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.

£29,970 to £36,483 a year per annum pro rata