About this role
Job summary
Exciting opportunity to join a newly established procurement service as a Category Buyer. NHS Devon Procurement Service (DPS) brings together expertise and buying power across Devon to deliver better value, stronger contracts, and improved outcomes for patients. We contract on behalf of:
Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
Torbay & South Devon NHS Foundation Trust
Devon Partnership NHS Trust
University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust
Livewell Community Services
By working as one, we are transforming healthcare procurement through scale, consistency, and innovation across all categories.
The job role is very varied, offering daily challenge with the opportunity to grow and develop as a procurement professional in a well-respected and high performing team. The main responsibility includes the management of procurement activity associated with designated categories of spend across multiple hospital and NHS sites.
We offer hybrid and flexible working, with office bases in Exeter, Barnstaple, Torbay, and Plymouth. Occasional travel across Devon will be required.
Previous applicants for this role in the last 3 months should not apply.
Main duties of the job
Work within the Medical and Surgical Procurement Team to support the delivery of the procurement Category Management (CM) non pay savings programme that informs the wider Procurement and Logistics strategy.
Ensure all Procurement is conducted in line with the procurement CM model.
Responsible for sourcing of goods and services to ensure value for money, meeting the needs of stakeholders and comply with corporate governance and UK legislation.
To provide procurement and commercial advice to internal customers and the wider Devon healthcare network.
***Preference will be given to internal Trust staff, as well as 'Priority' and 'At Risk' status including NHS At Risk staff throughout Devon who are able to display recent relevant experience as dictated by the Person Specification.***
About us
We are a people business - where every member of staff matters and can make a difference. Patients are at the heart of everything we do. Joining University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust means becoming part of a team of dedicated staff, who are committed to leading the way through innovation, clinical excellence and great customer care. The Trust has great opportunities for career development in a highly progressive working environment.
We offer all of this in a vibrant, modern city with a historic reputation for adventure. PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL COMMUNICATION WILL BE ELECTRONIC, PLEASE CHECK YOUR EMAIL ACCOUNT REGULARLY. If you have any issues with applying online and need additional support including reasonable adjustments with the application process please contact the recruitment team on 01752 432100. We recognise that work life balance is important for our colleagues and so we invite requests from applicants around less than full time/flexible working for our advertised roles.
Please contact the recruiting manager to discuss this prior to your application submission. We commit to giving this full consideration in each case. We encourage people from diverse backgrounds to apply for our roles, as diversity strengthens our teams. It is sometimes necessary to close vacancies before the closing date. If you have not heard from us within 4 weeks of the closing date, please assume that you have not been shortlisted.
Job description Job responsibilities
Communication a) Maintain relationships with suppliers to ensure performance and value, and collaborate with internal stakeholders to align category strategies with organisational goals.
b) Establish and maintain effective working relationships with external stakeholders, including collaborative partners, NHS Supply Chain, suppliers, and other NHS Trusts.
c) Present, explain, and defend commercial information in support of sourcing decisions.
d) Use communication, negotiation, and influencing skills to engage a range of staff to ensure the agreement is reached to minimise the level of procurement activity not subject to a full tender.
e) Build and maintain the reputation of the procurement service as a professional service with effective business partnering.
f) Demonstrate transparency to the procurement service, its Partner Trusts, and supplier organisations to maximise reputation and mitigate risks.
Knowledge, Training and Experience Qualifications
a) Knowledge of professional purchasing principles acquired through degree or Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply (CIPS) e.g. CIPS Level 4 Diploma in Procurement and Supply, or equivalent training and experience.
Training
b) Evidence of NHS and/or wider public-sector procurement training programmes.
c) Evidence of professional development through workshops, seminars, and courses related to category management.
For further details please see attached JD&PS.
Person Specification
Qualifications Essential
Proven knowledge of professional purchasing principles acquired through degree or Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply (CIPS) e.g. CIPS Level 4 Diploma in Procurement and Supply, or equivalent training and demonstrable experience.
Desirable
Proven evidence of CPD MCIPS qualified or working towards MCIPS
Aptitiude & Abilities Essential
Skilled in being able to conduct analysis on complex data sets to provide concise insights Strong stakeholder management skills, demonstrating ability to positively engage with stakeholders at multi levels Ability to carry out budget management duties, including administering and monitoring a project budget and/or being a budget holder for project(s)
Desirable
Strong project leadership and management capabilities and demonstrable experience, with capacity to manage multiple small and medium sized projects
Knowledge & Experience Essential
Demonstrable experience of working within a purchasing and supply environment, including the ability to produce tenders, requests for quotations, tender evaluations, and drafting contracts Good level of demonstrable experience of stakeholder management in a customer and results focused environment Demonstrable experience in negotiation and implementation of purchasing agreements
Desirable
Demonstrable experience of working within a large clinical setting and a proven understanding of current issues Proven knowledge and understanding of Trust procedures, including Standing Financial Instructions and Standing Orders. Demonstrable experience in supervising support staff; training staff; managing team of staff and can provide training to stakeholders on own project to clinicians, management and staff at all levels
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 University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust
Address University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust on behalf of Devon Procurement Service
Ground Floor, Brittany House, 1 Brest Road, Derriford (Devon host location flexible)
Plymouth
PL6 5YE
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.plymouthhospitals.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)