buyer Leatherhead, England
Job description
An exciting opportunity has arisen to join our friendly, supportive procurement service.
Contributing towards the delivery of the procurement work plan, ensuring that value for money is achieved for all transactions across Surrey and Borders Partnership and Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trusts; making sure all relevant policies and procedures are followed.
The role is based in Leatherhead with travel to Worthing as required, giving opportunities to work with a variety of contracts and stakeholders, providing the successful candidate with a unique opportunity to fully utilise and develop existing skills.
You will be a team player and enjoy working collaboratively, creating solutions to current challenges, and have the ability to create a positive working environment.
This job will play a pivotal role in ensuring the Trusts Divisional objectives are met.
In return you will be supported to enhance and develop your current knowledge and skills.
Please note: NHS experience is desirable but not essential, however a demonstrable knowledge and understanding of Public Sector Procurement is required.
Vacancy suitable for someone who wants to build knowledge of professional procurement principles and NHS procurement experience, including use of electronic purchasing/procurement systems. The successful candidate will be passionate about improving patients’ lives through securing high quality value for money goods and services, using innovative procurement practices.
Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust is the leading provider of health and social care services for people of all ages with mental ill-health and learning disabilities in Surrey and North East Hampshire. We also provide social care services for people with a learning disability in Croydon and ASD and ADHD assessment services in Hampshire.
We actively seek to engage people who use our services and our communities in improving the mental wellbeing of the local population. We work closely with other NHS and voluntary sector organisations who provide services and support people who use services and carers.
Surrey is a beautiful county lying just 30 minutes away from Central London and from the South Coast.
Our historic market towns and bustling districts are enveloped in wonderful countryside, and our excellent road and rail networks bring the rest of the country within easy reach.
For international travel, both Gatwick and Heathrow airports are nearby.
Please note that we reserve the right to close posts as soon as sufficient applications are received.
Working from home contracts do not attract high cost area payments.
We look forward to receiving your application!
Key Responsibilities
- To process approved requisitions into official purchase orders in line with Standing Financial Instructions and Standing Orders via the Trusts electronic procurement system or Government Procurement Card.
- To achieve best value for money during the processing of purchase orders by using approved suppliers and National or Local contracts where possible. To become a recognised expert within the Trusts’ for the procurement of these allocated items.
- Liaise with customers to help determine their needs and assist with any problems concerning their requirements to ensure orders are placed in a timely and efficient manner. Ensuring compliance with Health and Safety (including Safety Alerts that require product recall), Fire Regulations and Medical Devices Policy.
- Handling and responding to purchase order queries received from Customers and Suppliers to facilitate a timely resolution.
- To maintain selected Trust electronic catalogues.
- Review accuracy of non- contracted requisitions being submitted and where applicable reject back with advice and guidance to help with on-going customer education
- Responsible for managing and resolving workflow notifications linked to purchase orders and investigate invoice receipting discrepancies.
- Request new Suppliers to be set up or amending existing Supplier details.
- Highlight cumulative spend on items regularly ordered to enable areas of non- contracted high spend to be investigated and to ensure Trust SFI’s are being adhered to.
- Obtaining formal Quotes and price checking for low value goods and services in line with the Trust’s SFI’s before non- contracted purchase orders are processed.
- Monitor and record savings achieved as part of the procurement process.
- To be responsible for the maintenance of records and provision of information as requested including amending or cancelling Purchase Orders.
- Work with colleagues and use judgement to prioritise the daily workload.
- To effectively communicate with suppliers and staff at all levels of the organisation
- To provide a prompt and courteous response to customer enquiries and use own initiative for the action taken.
- To ensure that all goods and services purchased comply with the best practice for public sector organisations.
- To resolve order discrepancies including chasing failed or late deliveries.
- To reconcile all Government Procurement Card transactions in a timely and efficient manner.
- To undertake any other duties as required which are consistent with the grade and nature of the post.
