Job summary
- Main area
- Administrative
- Grade
- NHS AFC Band 3
- Contract
- Permanent
- Hours
- Full time
- Part time
- Job ref
- 247-SS-ABuyer-0926
- Employer
- East of England Ambulance Service Trust
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- Lakeview House
- Town
- Bedford
- Salary
- £25,760 - £27,476 per annum pro rata
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Closing
- 28/09/2026 23:59
Employer heading
Assistant Buyer
NHS AFC Band 3
EEAST is a great place to work, great people, great career opportunities and a career that can take you anywhere. No two days are the same, if you are looking for a varied and supportive environment EEAST can offer you that and more!
Hear why our employees think it is such a great place to work:
- Great employee benefits: https://www.eastamb.nhs.uk/join-the-team/working-for-us/employee-benefits
- Our equality networks: https://www.eastamb.nhs.uk/about-us/equality-diversity-and-inclusion/our-equality-networks
- Our vision & values: https://www.eastamb.nhs.uk/about-us/our-vision-and-value
Before you apply, please visit our how to apply page for full guidance: https://www.eastamb.nhs.uk/join-the-team/working-for-us/how-to-apply
#Careerforlife
Job overview
To carry out specific strategic sourcing programmes for defined categories and provide effective management of the Trust procurement portfolios in line with Standing Financial Instructions, National Procurement Directives and UK Legislation.
The Assistant Buyer role will be responsible for different categories of relatively low value spend, volume, nature, and complexity; ‘tail end spend’.
The post holder will provide clerical and administrative support to the Procurement Department. Processing of orders and requisitions onto the Departmental ordering system(s), ensuring compliance with end user deadlines and trust Standing Financial Instructions.
Main duties of the job
Please see the Job description and Person Specification that outlines the job responsibilities and personal qualities required for the role.
Working for our organisation
You'll have the opportunity to work in one of the most diverse regions in the country, with the vibrant capital city just a stone's throw away and the invigorating North Sea coast to the east.
At EEAST we bring together all our skills to provide 24 hour, 365 days a year urgent care to those in need of emergency and non-emergency medical treatment and transport in Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire, Essex, Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire.
We are always looking to innovate our approaches and work together to offer the best possible patient care across our counties.
We aim to represent and value the diversity of our local communities through our workforce and service provision. We therefore positively encourage applications from under-represented groups, such as Black, Asian, or other ethnic groups, individuals with a Disability, or LGBTQ+ individuals who meet the specific criteria.
We at EEAST want to support our employees achieve a balance between work and other priorities, such as caring responsibilities, family commitments, further learning, and other interests. We therefore welcome flexible working requests.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
For a thorough and comprehensive understanding of the role, including all its specific requirements and responsibilities, please consult the attached Job Description and Person Specification. This document provides an in-depth overview that will give you a clear and detailed picture of what the position entails.
Please note, should you be successful in your application, you will be required to undergo pre-employment checks, prior to receiving an unconditional offer, if full employment checks cannot be achieved (this will include existing and unserved disciplinary sanctions), then your offer may be withdrawn.
How to apply
Step 1 - Read the advert and the Job Description and Person Specification (attached)
Step 2 - Complete the Supporting Statement - Your statement needs to indicate how you meet each of the criteria contained within the Person Specification.
Step 3 - Complete the online application and upload your statement. Please note, CVs are not accepted.
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
- Detailed understanding of the EU Directives and Public Contract Regulations, Standard Terms and Conditions of Contract and Contract Law.
- Thorough knowledge evidenced by being qualified in Procurement. Member of the Chartered Institute of Purchasing & Supply (Working towards CIPS Level 3 or above).
Desirable criteria
- Full UK Driving Licence, with up to 6 penalty points considered, to enable travel throughout EEAST and off site to meetings nationally.
Skills and Knowledge
Essential criteria
- Proven track record in performance of Procurement delivery against tight deadlines with the ability to work objectively and ethically when under pressure.
- Good communication (verbal and written) and presentation skills at all levels, internal and external to the Trust, of highly complex and sensitive financial and technical information.
- Ability to analyse and interpret highly complex, sensitive and/or contentious information.
- Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to challenge the status quo in order to improve value.
- Numerate with good computer skills in Microsoft Word, PowerPoint and Excel, and experience of Purchase Order systems.
- Ability to problem solve under pressure and provide accurate Procurement at all levels.
- Ability to contribute towards team building, coaching and motivating non-Finance staff, listening to and acknowledging the contribution from others.
Experience
Essential criteria
- Substantial experience in Public Sector Procurement.
- Good knowledge of legislation on UK and EU Procurement Regulations.
- Experience in a Procurement/Supplies role.
Desirable criteria
- Experience of managing Procurement staff in the Public or Private Sector.
- Experience of working within the Healthcare Sector in a commercial role.
- Experience of using eProcurement, P2P and Finance systems.
- Category Management experience.
Personal Qualities, Abilities and Attributes
Essential criteria
- Professional approach with an ability to focus on customer service and quality orientation
- Ability to work well under pressure, effectively planning and prioritising own workload.
- Ability to work at both strategic and tactical levels, achieving deadlines and delivering whilst working on a number of projects simultaneously.
- Ability to manage internal and external relationships with sensitivity and diplomacy.
- Able to develop successful relationships with internal colleagues and departments as well as externally with a wide range of stakeholders, and work with individuals and groups from a range of backgrounds, being immediately credible to internal and external stakeholders.
- Excellent telephone manner.
Desirable criteria
- Ability to act in an entrepreneurial and innovative manner, on own initiative with minimal direct supervision.
Employer certification / accreditation badges
Applicant requirements
The postholder will have access to vulnerable people in the course of their normal duties and as such this post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Documents to download
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Stephen Dubery
- Job title
- Head of Procurement and Logistics
- Email address
- [email protected]
- Telephone number
- 07702718812
- Additional information
Rebecca Brumpton
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