Senior Buyer
Job Description
Job summary
The One Lancashire and South Cumbria (LSC) Procurement team is seeking applications for a Senior Buyer. This is an exciting opportunity to join a dynamic team during a period of transformation as we move toward becoming a single, integrated procurement department serving the NHS across Lancashire and South Cumbria as a shared service provider.
We welcome applications from both the private and public sectors. Successful candidates will bring energy, innovation, and a strong customer focus to the role. Training and support will be provided to ensure success.
The role will involve engaging with colleagues and our customers across Lancashire and South Cumbria and so a willingness to travel to varied locations and sites is a must. For the right candidate, there are opportunities to align base location to any of our main hub sites including Blackpool, Lancaster, Blackburn, Preston and across South Cumbria.
If you have the skills and motivation to take on this challenging and rewarding role and would like an informal discussion, please contact the Head of Service - Procurement.
An induction pack and staff handbook are available on request to support your application and transition into the NHS and One LSC Procurement specifically.
Main duties of the job
The focus will be on supporting customers to deliver value for money on projects while ensuring legal compliance. As a Senior Buyer, you will:
- Work within the Procurement team to deliver the procurement strategy and achieve service objectives, including:
- Savings and efficiency targets
- Compliance with procurement regulations
- Excellent customer service
- Collaborate with stakeholders at all levels to present the procurement function as a progressive and responsive team that drives innovation and system improvement.
- Lead strategic procurement projects, ensuring value for money and promoting an integrated approach.
- Provide professional advice on procurement processes, including compliance with UK law and regulations such as Public Contract Regulations 2015, Procurement Act 2023 as well as the Provider Selection Regime.
About us
Established in November 2024, One Lancashire and South Cumbria is a shared service entity providing corporate services including Finance, Human Resources, Digital, Estates and Procurement services.
We provide strategic procurement, commercial, logistics, and supply chain services to partner Trusts:
- East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust
- Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
- University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust
- Lancashire & South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust
- Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
- Atlas BFW Management Ltd (a wholly owned subsidiary of Blackpool Teaching Hospitals)
- North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust
One LSC Procurement operates as a shared service model, hosted by East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust, with three distinct service lines:
- Procurement
- Systems & e-Commerce
- Logistics and Supply Chain
Job responsibilities
Reporting to the Procurement Manager, you will:
- Develop and deliver an annual work plan aligned with savings and efficiency targets.
- Provide commercial advice and guidance on procurement strategy to your team, colleagues and Trust stakeholders.
- Ensure compliance with Trust Standing Financial Instructions, Procurement Policies and NHS Guidance, Best Practice and wider legislation.
- Mentoring and Supporting Lead Buyers and Buyers to develop procurement skills and offer procurement advice.
- Review and develop non-pay spend strategies to achieve best value.
- Lead high-value, complex, and strategic procurement projects.
- Work closely with collaborative partners such as NHS Supply Chain, Crown Commercial Services, and Category Tower Service Providers.
- Drive improvements in procurement performance using Model Hospital metrics.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Mathematics and English Language - GCSE Grade C/4 or equivalent.
- Degree or diploma level graduate (CIPS or procurement related) or equivalent relevant experience.
- Good knowledge of professional purchasing principles and commercial acumen.
Desirable
- Vocational courses appropriate to the post.
- Willingness to undertake further appropriate study.
Experience
Essential
- Experience of working within a procurement or operational purchasing team.
- Experience of working with clients/stakeholders to deliver projects or agreed service level.
- Experience of working in busy, target driven team.
- Buying experience within a large multi-functional organisation.
- Experience of managing staff.
Desirable
- Experience of working within a, Finance or Accountancy team
- Experience of working with suppliers
Knowledge and Skills
Essential
- IT literate with well-developed skills for the use and application of information technology systems (especially MS Office products)
- Good communication and skills (written & oral) with the ability to work positively with colleagues.
- Evidence of complex analytical and problem solving skills with a focus on delivering results.
- Team work and some leading experience
- Strong purchasing and supply chain expertise, and ability to demonstrate success in achieving VFM
- Tendering and project management experience.
- A good 'people person' able to effectively influence and persuade people.
Desirable
- Understanding of EU Procurement Law.
- Experience of NHS/government.
- Sound knowledge of public sector finance procedures/legislati on.
- Large 'blue chip' private sector experience.
- Advanced knowledge of MS Excel.
Personal Attributes
Essential
- Commitment to continuous improvement.
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
- Strong negotiation skills.
- Effective presentation skills.
- Strong team player/team skills.
- Good organisational and administrative skills.
- Good motivator and a positive attitude towards change and development.
- Ability to cope under pressure.
Desirable
- Leadership and delegation skills.
Other
Essential
- Access to transport for work purposes, travelling across all LPC sites.
- Able to flexibly work across all Trust locations as required by the service.
- Flexibility and adaptiveness to the changing needs of the service.
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.
Certificate of Sponsorship
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
Employer details
Employer name
East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust
Address
Across One LSC sites
Blackburn
BB2 3HH
United Kingdom
