Procurement Assistant Buyer

The post holder will work within the Procurement team and is directly responsible to either the Senior Buyer or the Procurement Manager.

The post holder will contribute to the implementation of the Procurement Strategy as directed by Senior Buyer or the Procurement Manager. They will facilitate collaboration and help influence stakeholders to embrace cultural and system change to ensure successful implementation.

Please refer to the Job Description for more details.

The Assistant Buyer will work within the Procurement tower to support the delivery of the procurement strategy and achieve the “quadruple aim” targets. This includes delivering against the following objectives:

- Savings and efficiency targets
- Improving compliance with procurement regulations
- Customer service
- Reducing harm initiatives

Work on specific/allocated projects against agreed timescales and outcomes for LPC customers. This will include sourcing of goods, equipment, materials and services that meet requirements by demonstrating value for money and promoting an integrated approach to procurement.

Carry out the procurement of agreed goods and services in line with the Standing Financial Instructions obtaining best value and delivery within the specifications provided.

Provide professional support to users in respect of the procurement process, including EU regulations and required process to be followed under the guidance of line manager.

Please refer to the Job Description for more details.

The Lancashire Procurement Cluster (LPC) provides strategic procurement, commercial, logistics and supply chain services to the Trust Partners - Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust and Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. The organisation is a shared service model, hosted East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust. The LPC has four distinct service lines:

- Procurement
- Strategic Relationship Management
- Systems & e-Commerce
- Logistics and Supply Chain

The Lancashire Procurement Cluster (LPC) is a new ground breaking shared service which is creating a step change in procurement and supply chain maturity for the member trusts; Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS FT, East Lancashire NHS Trust and Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS FT. It is fundamentally re-shaping the role of Procurement across the local health economy to ensure the service is fit for purpose and can deliver value and customer satisfaction in a sustainable manner.

The LPC is hosted by East Lancashire NHS Trust but staff are based across all three organisations. Travel across the three Trusts will be expected as part of the role. The vision is to deliver an excellent procurement, logistics and supplies service which focusses on continuous improvement, delivers value for the Trusts in terms of savings and efficiencies and improves outcomes for patients.

Please refer to the Job Description for more details.

The post holder will take direction from the Senior Buyer or the Procurement Manager but also work independently and proactively to:
1. Evaluate and deliver the best value procurement process for acquisitions for the LPC Stakeholders by use of different sourcing options for a range of goods and services.

1. Build up product knowledge from the supplier base and introduce alternative products to internal and external stakeholders as opportunities to save money.

1. Responsible for assisting with quotation exercises and cost analysis for the purchase of goods and services for both internal and external stakeholders.

1. Liaise with the NHS Supply Chain and suppliers to ensure that best pricing has been secured.

1. Provide reports and other data to members of the procurement team to assist in the identification of items to be considered for standardisation of products or to identify lower cost alternatives. To assist with and where appropriate lead the subsequent implementation of such agreed changes.

1. Produce management reports from the procurement purchasing systems. Schedule and analyse the data to provide internal stakeholders with statistics for developing and monitoring spend and stock-holding levels and future product switching and saving opportunities.

1. Liaise with the procurement team internally and externally to ensure that only standardised products are ordered.

1. Process requisitions for internal and external stakeholders onto the selected Procurement purchasing systems,

1. Deal with reported discrepancies, shortages, returns for internal and external stakeholders in a proactive but diplomatic manner

1. Operate within the LPC Policies and Procedures and display a high standard of professional conduct with stakeholders and suppliers. Report any problems or difficulties that cannot be resolved immediately.

1. Assist and support the other members of the Procurement team in ensuring customer satisfaction with the service.

1. Provide cover for other members of the Procurement team (such as