We have an exciting opportunity for applicants to join us as a Buyer

The Purchasing & Supplies Department is a high performing department, accredited to Level 2 NHS Standards of Procurement, 7th in most recent (September 2019) Procurement League Tables and winners at the 2022 Trust Awards for Excellence In Support Services.

Interview Date - To Be Confirmed

To secure for customers the purchase of supplies, which represent best value for money in the context of price and quality, which should be consistent with need as and when, required.

The post holder will not receive constant, direct supervision and will require the post holder to exercise initiative in the provision of service to customers with only occasional supervision and guidance.

The post holder will be expected to perform a range of tasks operating within a team which will call for independent judgement and will be expected to operate within procedural guidelines to ensure public accountability.

Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust serves a population of over 600,000 with a workforce of over 9000 dedicated and skilled staff across 21 sites.

We strongly believe that the communities we serve should all have access to Five Star Patient Care.

Our Services:
Acute Care

Providing emergency and maternity services at Whiston, Southport and Ormskirk hospitals, and medical and surgical specialties across all our sites.

Primary Care

Providing primary care services at Marshalls Cross Medical Centre situated in St Helens Hospital.

Community Services

Providing adult community services for St Helens and a wheelchair service in Chorley, South Ribble, and West Lancashire. Our inpatient unit at Newton Community Hospital is where patients needing acute hospital beds can continue rehabilitation, freeing up space for more unwell patients. We also provide urgent care at our Urgent Treatment Centre located in St Helens town centre.

Specialist Regional Services

We provide the Mersey Regional Burns & Plastic Surgery Unit at Whiston Hospital and the Spinal Injuries Unit at Southport Hospital to more than 4 million people across the whole of Merseyside, West Lancashire, Cheshire, Isle of Man and North Wales.

Achievements:
Rated Outstanding by CQC Inspection August 2018
Top 100 places to work in the NHS (NHS Employers & Health Service Journal)
National Preceptorship Accreditation (2023) for Nursing & AHP Preceptorship Programme

KEY DUTIES

To secure for customers the purchase of supplies, which represent best value for money in the context of price and quality, which should be consistent with need as and when required.

Process purchase orders via non-catalogue route on purchase order system

Manage supplier catalogues on purchase order system

The post holder will be required to adopt a flexible approach towards any supplies activities undertaken.

To be aware of the markets in the post holders commodity area so as to secure the best value for money in a dynamic supply situation and to provide customers with appropriate advice and guidance.

Effect the purchase utilising as appropriate purchasing arrangements/contracts provided by Purchasing Organisations including, NHS Supply Chain, Crown Commercial Service, Health Trust Europe and NHS SBS CPS as part of the procurement service they provide to the Trust.

Ensure that all relevant details are included on the requisition for the production of a purchase order.

Deliver cost-efficient benefits in line with departmental objectives and report these savings weekly to the Buyer Team Leader/Senior Buyer.

Responsible for the implementation of Trust Policies which have relevance to duties and in particular Health and Safety.

Understand appropriate legislation and guidance in terms of Corporate Governance and Standing Financial Instructions.

Deal with any questions or queries which result from purchasing activity and respond with appropriate advice and guidance.

The post holder will be responsible for any returns and repairs within commodity area.

Assist with the production of specifications, information or estimates required by NHS Supply Chain, Crown Commercial Service, Health Trust Europe and NHS SBS CPS to assist them in the provision of procurement service to the Trust.

Purchase items in consultation with appropriate staff in so far as are relevant to commodity area.

Post holder should have a working knowledge of different supply routes to ensure best value for money e.g. distributors such as NHS Supply Chain versus direct supply

Contribute to the maintenance of supplier catalogues and be aware of directories and other sources of information which will assist procurement.

Interview representatives and consult sales literature in order to maintain a knowledge of products and markets.

Assist in rationalisation and variety reduction exercises as and when required.

Provide appropriate cover for sickness and holiday absence to other members of the purchasing team.

Attend meetings relevant to duties and responsibilities.

Assist in research projects and in the provision of purchasing information to colleagues and customers.

Responsible for the implementation of Trust policies which have relevance to duties and in particular Health and Safety.

Liaise with colleagues in the Accounts Payable Service, end users and suppliers to resolve price disputes and discrepancies that may arise relating to Supplier Invoices received.

Assist the Senior Buyer in any quotation exercises/projects valued at between £10,000 and £50,000.

To be responsible for any other relevant duties assigned by the Head of Purchasing & Supply or their Deputy.

CLINICAL & PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

CIPS level 1/2 or evidence of willingness to work towards.

ADMINISTRATIVE RESPONSIBILITIES

The post holder will be involved with the continued upkeep of the departmental contract, quotation and waiver register.

Assist with the continued upkeep of the procedures register

Assist with the continued upkeep of the new supplier register

TEACHING & TRAINING RESPONSBILITIES

Participate in Training and Education initiatives to assist with personal development. Training may also involve providing to assist with using purchasing system or good practice around procurement. This will be on an ad hoc basis

FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

Ensure adherence to Trust SFIs

Clear understanding of financial governance processes

RESEARCH & AUDIT

Maintain knowledge of supply routes