About this role
Job summary
This is an exciting (37.5 hours per week) opportunity to join Choice Procurement Services and play a key role in delivering an efficient, responsive and customer-focused purchasing service across the Organisation. As we continue to modernise our procurement and supply chain services, we are looking for a leader to help drive high standards of service, compliance and continuous improvement.
As our Purchasing Team Leader, you will lead a team of Purchasing Officers, ensuring the timely procurement of goods and services that support front-line healthcare services. Working closely with clinical teams, suppliers, finance colleagues and procurement professionals, you will help maintain continuity of supply, support value for money and ensure purchasing processes operate effectively.
This is an excellent opportunity for someone with purchasing or procurement experience who is looking to develop their leadership skills and broaden their knowledge of NHS procurement, supply chain management and digital purchasing systems. You will have the opportunity to influence service improvements, support cost improvement initiatives and contribute to the delivery of a modern procurement function.
If you are organised, customer-focused and passionate about delivering excellent service while developing others, we would love to hear from you.
Join us and help deliver an outstanding purchasing service that supports patient care every day.
Main duties of the job
You will join a supportive and developing Systems and Purchasing Team that plays a vital role in ensuring clinical and non-clinical services have access to the goods and services they need. This role offers an excellent opportunity to combine team leadership, customer service, problem-solving and procurement expertise in a fast-paced NHS environment.
We are looking for an individual with procurement or purchasing experience, ideally gained within a large and complex organisation. You will have experience of supporting or managing staff, working with purchasing systems and developing effective relationships with customers and suppliers. Knowledge of NHS procurement processes and systems would be advantageous.
You will have strong communication and organisational skills, a commitment to customer service and the ability to prioritise competing demands. You will be confident analysing information, resolving problems and supporting colleagues to achieve high standards of performance and compliance.
In return, you will have the opportunity to develop your management and procurement skills, contribute to service improvement initiatives and work within a team committed to continuous learning and professional development.
About us
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City Hospitals Independent Commercial Enterprises Ltd (CHoICE - trading since 2014) is a wholly owned subsidiary company of South Tyneside & Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust (STSFT). We provide a full range of Facilities Management, Procurement and Outpatient Pharmacy services. We employ staff in a wide range of functions, ranging from cleaners, porters, engineers, procurement and pharmacists.
Commitment, Care and Compassion- our Team contribute to the overall hospital environment, providing safe, secure and comfortable facilities for access by patients, staff and visitors. CHoICE is an exciting place to work that will provide you with an opportunity to grow and develop. Many of our staff work flexibly, including part-time and we are committed to offering flexible approaches to work where possible. We provide a range of benefits including Fitness Centre (SRH), cycle to work scheme and access to a Childcare Co-ordinator to help staff with childcare arrangements.
We welcome all applications regardless of peoples race, disability, gender, sexual orientation, religion or belief, age, gender identity, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity and in particular those from under-represented groups.
If you use AI, and it poses a risk to the integrity of your individual recruitment process, we may withdraw your application at any stage of the process.
Job description Job responsibilities
Please note the Trust are not able to offer Skilled Worker Sponsorship for this role as it does not meet the UKVI threshold requirements. Applicants are requested to consider this when making their application. Please visit Gov.UK for further information.
To lead and coordinate the day to day activities of Choice and the Trusts purchasing function, ensuring the timely and accurate procurement of goods and services in line with NHS policies, financial controls, and local procedures. The postholder supervises Purchasing Officers, provides technical support on procurement processes, and ensures high standards of data accuracy, customer service, and compliance. Working closely with clinical, nonclinical, and supply chain teams, the role helps maintain continuity of supply, supports cost effective purchasing decisions, and contributes to the overall performance, quality, and reliability of Choice and the Trusts P2P processes and wider supply chain operations.
PLEASE REFER TO ATTACHED JOB DESCRIPTION FOR FULL DUTIES OF THE ROLE.
Person Specification
Experience Essential
A detailed understanding of one or more procurement related systems in relation to Source to Contract, Purchase to Pay and Inventory Management. An understanding of the workings of Accounts Payable and General Ledger systems in relation to the above procurement systems. Experience in the Procurement Department of a large complex organisation, preferably within the NHS.
Desirable
Working knowledge of operating within organisational policies, such as, Standing Financial Instructions.
Values / Behavioural / Attitude Essential
Flexible approach to fulfilling duties in an environment where urgent requests are common.
Qualifications Essential
NVQ Level 3 / Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply (CIPS) qualification, or equivalent level of experience and knowledge.
Desirable
European Computer Driving Licence qualification or equivalent e.g., NHS Microsoft Office Skills Training.
Core Behaviours Essential
Alignment to Trust Values and Core Behaviours. Team Player. Flexible.
Skills and Abilities Essential
Good interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to work with colleagues at all levels in the Organisation. Good planning and organisational skills. Good numeric and literacy skills. A suitable level of education and computer skills. An ability to provide professional advice and guidance to customers. Ability to motivate and manage a team. Ability to extract / develop and analyse basic information and spend data to support decision making.
Employer details Employer name City Hospitals Independent Commercial Enterprises Ltd (CHoICE)
Address Sunderland Royal Hospital
Kayll Road
Sunderland
SR4 7TP
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.choicesunderland.co.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)