Job summary
- Main area
- Procurement
- Grade
- NHS AfC: Band 4
- Contract
- Fixed term: 9 months (Temporary cover for Maternity Leave)
- Hours
- Full time - 37.5 hours per week
- Job ref
- 202-8272970
- Employer
- South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- Trust Headquarters
- Town
- Exeter
- Salary
- £28,392 - £31,157 per annum
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Closing
- 20/10/2026 23:59
Employer heading
Buyer
NHS AfC: Band 4
Job overview
Are you an organised and customer-focused individual looking to develop a career in Procurement within the NHS?
We are seeking a Buyer to join our friendly and supportive Procurement Team for up to 9 months to cover maternity leave.
This is an excellent opportunity to gain experience across a wide range of procurement activities while helping to support services that contribute to patient care across the South West.
Working with colleagues, suppliers and stakeholders across the Trust, you will support the procurement of goods and services, raise and process purchase orders, assist with quotation and tender exercises, maintain procurement and contract records, and help ensure compliance with Trust policies and procedures. You will also support supplier onboarding, manage procurement enquiries, undertake spend analysis, and contribute to continuous improvement within the procurement function.
This role would suit someone with strong administrative, organisational and communication skills who enjoys problem-solving, working with data, and building effective working relationships. Whether you already have procurement experience or are looking to start a career in the profession, we offer training, development opportunities and support towards professional procurement qualifications.
The team operates a hybrid working arrangement, with home working and attendance at Trust Headquarters in Exeter once every fortnight on a Wednesday.
Interviews will take place in person in Exeter.
Main duties of the job
- Raising and processing purchase orders, ensuring requisitions are complete, appropriately authorised, and compliant with Trust policies and procedures
- Supporting quotation, tendering, and contract award activities, including the preparation, collation, and administration of procurement documentation
- Acting as a first point of contact for procurement enquiries, providing advice and guidance to Trust staff and suppliers
- Supporting supplier onboarding and registration processes, ensuring appropriate due diligence checks are completed
- Maintaining procurement records, contract information, supplier data, and filing systems to ensure information is accurate, secure, and accessible
- Assisting with spend analysis, reporting, and the production of management information to support procurement planning and decision making
- Supporting contract management activities, including supplier performance monitoring, contract reviews, and contract renewals
- Challenging non-contracted spend where appropriate and supporting initiatives that promote value for money and compliance with Standing Financial Instructions
- Developing effective working relationships with stakeholders across the Trust to promote good procurement practice and ensure business needs are met
- Contributing to continuous improvement initiatives, helping to enhance procurement processes, systems, and ways of working
- Developing procurement knowledge and skills through training, learning, and professional development opportunities
Working for our organisation
Working for us is an experience like no other. We provide emergency and urgent care, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, operating across the largest ambulance region in England and responding to an average of 2,650 incidents every day.
We remain committed to ensuring that we provide the best possible care for all our patients, which is reflected in our new five-year strategy which has continually improving patient care at its very core.
The role is based in Exeter, one of the most vibrant, attractive and historically interesting cities in England, with excellent transport links and a great mix of independent shops, cafes and bars.
If you embody our values of one team, compassionate and innovative and are looking to make a real difference to peoples’ lives, then we would love to hear from you.
In return we will equip you with the skills and resources you need to thrive in your role.
You will have opportunities to progress to roles across the Trust and enjoy continuous professional development.
Benefits
• Competitive NHS salary
• A standard working week of 37.5 hours
• Holiday entitlements of 27 days per year, plus general and public holidays, rising to 29 days after 5 years and 33 days after 10 years
• Pay enhancements for out of hours, shift and overtime working
• Generous Pension Scheme
• Career and salary progression
• Car leasing scheme
• Free parking across Trust sites
• Staff networks
• Wide range of discounts from various organisations across the UK
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
For further information about this role please see the attached job description and person specification.
Right to work / Certificate of sponsorship
This role does not meet the criteria for Skilled Worker visa sponsorship under current Home Office regulations. You must have the existing right to work in the UK to be considered for this position.
For further information on visa sponsorship and eligibility, please refer to the UK Government guidance on Skilled Worker visas: www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa
Person specification
Education & qualifications
Essential criteria
- Educated to GCSE or equivalent standard, including English and Mathematics
Desirable criteria
- Fully MCIPS Qualified or working towards Foundation Level CIPS
Previous experience
Essential criteria
- Previous administration experience
- Previous experience of working with sensitive and confidential data
- Previous experience of developing and maintaining record systems
Desirable criteria
- Procurement Knowledge in NHS/Public Sector Environment
Employer certification / accreditation badges
Documents to download
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Sharon Murphy
- Job title
- Head of Procurement
- Email address
- [email protected]
- Telephone number
- 07920781297
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