Senior Buyer
Location
Southampton, England, United Kingdom
Posted At
9/11/2025
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Description
Job Overview
Wessex NHS Procurement Limited is delighted to offer a fantastic opportunity to work with us.
Please see below for a detailed job description of the role.
Please note this role will be based at Royal South Hants Hospital - Brintons Terrace, Southampton SO14 0YG- and Basingstoke Hospital - Aldermaston Rd, Basingstoke RG24 9NA
Main duties of the job
Wessex NHS Procurement Ltd is a wholly owned subsidiary of University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust and Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. The company provides end to end Procurement and Supply Chain services to hospitals in Basingstoke, Winchester, and Southampton.
Attached you will find the person specification document which provides more detail about the essential and desirable skills and experience needed for this role. We highly recommend you review this document and use it when completing your application as these criteria are used by hiring managers as guidance during shortlisting.
For an overview of the main duties of the role please see the ‘Job Description and Main Responsibilities’ section below. To understand the day-to-day responsibilities in more detail please read the full job description document attached.
Working for our organisation
University Hospital Southampton is one of England's largest acute teaching Trusts, offering a wide range of learning and development opportunities to support your career aspirations.
Located on the south coast with an international airport and direct rail links to London, Southampton offers an ideal setting to live and work, with the New Forest, South Downs and Jurassic Coast.
We believe that using technology wisely shows strong time management and commitment to innovation. However, personalizing your recruitment application to highlight your unique skills and experiences is crucial. Relying too heavily on generic, AI-generated content instead of drawing from your own strengths and accomplishments may lead to your application being rejected if multiple candidates present identical or similar information.
At UHS we’re committed to providing a flexible working environment where possible. Whether you are balancing family, study, or your wellbeing with your career, we want to support you so you can help our patients.
At UHS, we proudly champion individuality, recognizing that outstanding care is only possible with a diverse, inclusive team. We’re committed to creating an anti-racist, anti-discriminatory environment where everyone feels valued, safe, and empowered to make a meaningful impact in our communities. We welcome applicants of all backgrounds, identities, and experiences to join us in building a healthcare community where everyone can belong, thrive, and contribute.
Main Duties
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Responsible for the Operations team to deliver a customer-focused and efficient service in the purchasing of goods and services.
Day to day to management of a team, including a range of HR procedures which may include attendance, performance and appraisals.
Undertaking training for the team in relevant procedures and processes. Ensuring procedures and processes are kept up to date.
Plays a key role in the induction and training of new staff.
Plans own workload and team’s workload to ensure all order requests are processed, queries resolved and catalogues reviewed as required
Ensures all reports are produced for line manager within specific time frames.
Budget and Resource management .
Support the team with CIP opportunities and catalogue management.
Responsible for recording savings made using appropriate procedures
Responsible for sourcing suppliers for goods and services in line with user department requirements.
Training of Trust staff on e-procurement tools.
Communication
Negotiates with suppliers and other external organizations to maximize value for money and cost improvement opportunities
To communicate with suppliers to provide specific information in the form of a pre-purchase questionnaire in relation to procedures for purchasing medical equipment
Establish, maintain, and manage supplier relationships where appropriate
Provide support and assistance for charity / donation purchases and work with Finance and Charity departments to ensure all purchases are aligned with Trust protocol
Communicate delays and discrepancies with customers, ensuring they are handled efficiently and appropriately
Analytical and Judgemental Skills
To assess customer requirements for appropriate method of ordering and distribution (i.e., urgency/quality/price/supply route etc)
Analyses financial and purchasing data to determine best value for money option
To assess problem situations and determine in conjunction with customer or supplier the most appropriate method of resolution
To understand and analyse spend information on specific products or services and relay the information to customers
Identifies opportunities for contracting or tendering.
Work closely with user departments to review goods and services purchased
Policy and Service Development
Works according to laid down policies and procedures, suggesting amendments where feasible.
Monitors supplier performance against contract KPI’s (costs, quality, delivery timescales etc) and standing orders in conjunction with user departments.
Assists the procurement lead with the development and implementation of departmental policies and procedures
Information Resources
Enters data onto purchase ordering system and ensures orders are processed as per procedures
Produces data on pricing information for comparison and informs customers
Checks stock and availability information, ensuring goods are ordered using the appropriate method
Ensure contract documentation compliance using the contracts register
Uses e-tendering, contract and supplier management tool to undertake and manage mini competitions
Facilitates and supports continuous improvement in Catalogue system
Research and Development
Audits and surveys operations team work activities to ensure compliance with targets
Undertakes market analysis to identify alternative suppliers which are able to offer the trust cost efficiencies with no detrimental clinical impact.
Guides customers with regards to obtaining value for money within financial and purchasing procedures
Discusses and agrees solutions to order/delivery queries with customers and suppliers
To communicate any discrepancies in relation to products and services ordered with customers and category leads
Establish, maintain and manage internal stakeholder relationships to ensure effective service delivery.
Undertaking any other assignments or duties allocated by the line manager.
Person specification
Qualifications / Training Required
Essential criteria
Essential criteria
Essential criteria
Essential criteria
Essential criteria
Wessex NHS Procurement Limited is delighted to offer a fantastic opportunity to work with us.
Please see below for a detailed job description of the role.
Please note this role will be based at Royal South Hants Hospital - Brintons Terrace, Southampton SO14 0YG- and Basingstoke Hospital - Aldermaston Rd, Basingstoke RG24 9NA
Main duties of the job
Wessex NHS Procurement Ltd is a wholly owned subsidiary of University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust and Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. The company provides end to end Procurement and Supply Chain services to hospitals in Basingstoke, Winchester, and Southampton.
Attached you will find the person specification document which provides more detail about the essential and desirable skills and experience needed for this role. We highly recommend you review this document and use it when completing your application as these criteria are used by hiring managers as guidance during shortlisting.
For an overview of the main duties of the role please see the ‘Job Description and Main Responsibilities’ section below. To understand the day-to-day responsibilities in more detail please read the full job description document attached.
Working for our organisation
University Hospital Southampton is one of England's largest acute teaching Trusts, offering a wide range of learning and development opportunities to support your career aspirations.
Located on the south coast with an international airport and direct rail links to London, Southampton offers an ideal setting to live and work, with the New Forest, South Downs and Jurassic Coast.
We believe that using technology wisely shows strong time management and commitment to innovation. However, personalizing your recruitment application to highlight your unique skills and experiences is crucial. Relying too heavily on generic, AI-generated content instead of drawing from your own strengths and accomplishments may lead to your application being rejected if multiple candidates present identical or similar information.
At UHS we’re committed to providing a flexible working environment where possible. Whether you are balancing family, study, or your wellbeing with your career, we want to support you so you can help our patients.
At UHS, we proudly champion individuality, recognizing that outstanding care is only possible with a diverse, inclusive team. We’re committed to creating an anti-racist, anti-discriminatory environment where everyone feels valued, safe, and empowered to make a meaningful impact in our communities. We welcome applicants of all backgrounds, identities, and experiences to join us in building a healthcare community where everyone can belong, thrive, and contribute.
Main Duties
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Responsible for the Operations team to deliver a customer-focused and efficient service in the purchasing of goods and services.
Day to day to management of a team, including a range of HR procedures which may include attendance, performance and appraisals.
Undertaking training for the team in relevant procedures and processes. Ensuring procedures and processes are kept up to date.
Plays a key role in the induction and training of new staff.
Plans own workload and team’s workload to ensure all order requests are processed, queries resolved and catalogues reviewed as required
Ensures all reports are produced for line manager within specific time frames.
Budget and Resource management .
Support the team with CIP opportunities and catalogue management.
Responsible for recording savings made using appropriate procedures
Responsible for sourcing suppliers for goods and services in line with user department requirements.
Training of Trust staff on e-procurement tools.
Communication
Negotiates with suppliers and other external organizations to maximize value for money and cost improvement opportunities
To communicate with suppliers to provide specific information in the form of a pre-purchase questionnaire in relation to procedures for purchasing medical equipment
Establish, maintain, and manage supplier relationships where appropriate
Provide support and assistance for charity / donation purchases and work with Finance and Charity departments to ensure all purchases are aligned with Trust protocol
Communicate delays and discrepancies with customers, ensuring they are handled efficiently and appropriately
Analytical and Judgemental Skills
To assess customer requirements for appropriate method of ordering and distribution (i.e., urgency/quality/price/supply route etc)
Analyses financial and purchasing data to determine best value for money option
To assess problem situations and determine in conjunction with customer or supplier the most appropriate method of resolution
To understand and analyse spend information on specific products or services and relay the information to customers
Identifies opportunities for contracting or tendering.
Work closely with user departments to review goods and services purchased
Policy and Service Development
Works according to laid down policies and procedures, suggesting amendments where feasible.
Monitors supplier performance against contract KPI’s (costs, quality, delivery timescales etc) and standing orders in conjunction with user departments.
Assists the procurement lead with the development and implementation of departmental policies and procedures
Information Resources
Enters data onto purchase ordering system and ensures orders are processed as per procedures
Produces data on pricing information for comparison and informs customers
Checks stock and availability information, ensuring goods are ordered using the appropriate method
Ensure contract documentation compliance using the contracts register
Uses e-tendering, contract and supplier management tool to undertake and manage mini competitions
Facilitates and supports continuous improvement in Catalogue system
Research and Development
Audits and surveys operations team work activities to ensure compliance with targets
Undertakes market analysis to identify alternative suppliers which are able to offer the trust cost efficiencies with no detrimental clinical impact.
Guides customers with regards to obtaining value for money within financial and purchasing procedures
Discusses and agrees solutions to order/delivery queries with customers and suppliers
To communicate any discrepancies in relation to products and services ordered with customers and category leads
Establish, maintain and manage internal stakeholder relationships to ensure effective service delivery.
Undertaking any other assignments or duties allocated by the line manager.
Person specification
Qualifications / Training Required
Essential criteria
- CIPS Foundation Diploma in Purchasing & Supply (level 3) or able to demonstrate equivalent knowledge skills and experience
- Passed GCSE Mathematics and English
- Member of CIPS or equivalent
Essential criteria
- Previous experience of buying in a procurement environment
- Market and supplier / product knowledge including Procedures, catalogue management and contract law
- Track record of achieving cost reductions
- Previous experience in a customer service environment
- Experience in supporting the management of team members
- Procure to Pay system knowledge
- Vendor management
- Supply chain knowledge
- Working knowledge of public sector procurement processes
- Experience supervising or line managing staff
Essential criteria
- Computer literate with good keyboard skills
Essential criteria
- Travel required to customer and site locations
Essential criteria
- Agile
- Supportive
- Trusted
- Engaged
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