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Job summary

Main area
Assistant Buyer
Grade
Grade B
Contract
18 months (18 months fixed term with a possibility of permanent in the future)
Hours
  • Full time
  • Flexible working
37.5 hours per week
Job ref
372-CHS1589
Employer
Calderdale and Huddersfield Solutions Ltd
Employer type
NHS
Site
Calderdale and Huddersfield Ltd
Town
Huddersfield
Salary
£23,663 per annum pro rata
Salary period
Yearly
Closing
25/08/2025 23:59
Interview date
08/09/2025

Employer heading

Calderdale and Huddersfield Solutions Ltd logo

Assistant Buyer - Huddersfield Based

Grade B

CHS is able to offer a wide range of services. Our scale enables us to offer competitive rates and we have a long track record of providing high quality, customer-focused services.  

We offer comprehensive estates, facilities management, medical engineering, catering solutions and procurement services supporting the provision of safe, effective healthcare to our communities. We are committed to delivering our Green Plan goals of reducing carbon emissions, air pollution, waste generation and improving recycling throughout delivery of our services. We also enable profit to go back into patient care.

CHS recognises that its staff are its greatest asset and that its business is its people. The company aims to create an environment and culture of openness, trust and honesty.  We encourage and celebrate diversity because broader perspectives, skills, experience and knowledge will enrich and enhance the value we bring to each other, our clients, shareholders and other stakeholders.

Job overview

We are currently recruiting for several Assistant Buyers to join our high-performing Procurement team focusing on Clinical and Non-Clinical categories.

·       1 x full time 18-month fixed term contract

These roles offer an exciting opportunity to contribute to strategic procurement initiatives that directly support patient care and operational efficiency. You will work closely with the strategic procurement team, buyers, materials management and other colleagues across CHS and the Trust to deliver value-for-money solutions and manage customer/supplier relationships.

Summary of the Role:

As part of a locally based Procurement and Supplies team the post holder will:

  • Assist in the administration of the procurement department including purchase to pay activity, meeting scheduling etc.
  • Help to ensure that goods and services are obtained in the most cost-effective manner, in accordance with the Trust’s/CHS’ Standing Financial Instructions, Procurement Act 2023 and Provider Selection Regime.
  • Provide a source of information and advice to customers and generally act as a key point of contact for both internal and external stakeholders.
  • Maintain appropriate purchasing (and other) records on behalf of CHS/the Trust.

PLEASE NOTE – THIS ROLE IS BASED IN HUDDERSFIELD. 

CANDIDATES MUST BE IN THE OFFICE IN HUDDERSFIELD. 

Main duties of the job

  • Ensuring all requisitions and orders are checked for accuracy/certified before dispatch, turning requisitions in to purchase orders, dealing with queries and unpaid invoices etc.
  • Promptly respond and resolve queries and complaints.
  • Assist with the administration and maintaining of contract information i.e. database and flagging contract expiries where possible.
  • Provide administrative and operational support to the team, assisting with category management activities as directed by the Buyer, Assistant Category Manager or Senior Category Manager
  • Assist in building and maintaining good working relationships with internal departments and external suppliers.
  • Support the preparation and processing of tender and contract documentation using the Atamis e-procurement system, ensuring compliance with relevant regulations, including the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 (PCR), Procurement Act 2023 (PA23), Provider Selection Regime (PSR), and organisational Standing Financial Instructions (SFIs).
  • Carry out basic e-tendering tasks via Atamis, including data entry, uploading documents, maintaining records, and reporting key procurement information as required.
  • Support with general administration on behalf of the procurement team such as meeting scheduling etc.
  • Any other duties which may be required from time to time to ensure the smooth running of the department and to provide an effective procurement service.

Working for our organisation

At CHS we understand the differences in delivering our services in complex environments and we have a flexible approach to meet the needs of our customers. Our Estates and Facilities management functions alongside our Clinical Engineering, decontamination and procurement service, provides the following:

  • Fully managed estate and building maintenance
  • Clinical Engineering and Decontamination
  • Procurement advice, guidance and governance
  • Capital project management
  • Transport
  • Grounds maintenance.
  • Portering
  • Catering
  • Cleaning (including robot and deep cleaning)

All provided to nationally recognised standards giving you assurance that your premises and equipment will be the best they can, and your customers will have confidence in you as a provider.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

  • Support with maintaining catalogues and encouraging end users to utilise existing catalogue options wherever possible
  • Provide a courteous and quality customer service including providing practical procurement guidance to customers e.g. best route of supply, requisitioning and/or receipting procedures.
  • Promptly respond and resolve queries and complaints
  • Assist with the administration and maintaining of contract information i.e. database and flagging contract expiries where possible
  • Support with the purchase of goods and services as delegated, in line with current SFI values and Public Contract Regulations
  • Support with general administration on behalf of the procurement team such as meeting scheduling etc
  • Provide cover and support for other team members during holidays, sickness, etc. including cross - category where necessary
  • Any other duties which may be required from time to time to ensure the smooth running of the department and to provide an effective procurement service

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential criteria
  • 4 passes at G.C.S.E. (or equivalent) at level C or above including English and Maths
Desirable criteria
  • Vocational courses appropriate to the post

Knowledge & Skills:

Essential criteria
  • Computer literacy utilising Microsoft Office applications
  • Good written, verbal and analytical skills
  • Demonstrates resilience in handling workload and adapting to change
  • Demonstrates a calm and composed approach in challenging situations
  • Confident and professional telephone communication skills
  • Ability to communicate at all levels
  • Enthusiasm/motivation
  • Knowledge of end-to-end procurement and payment workflows (P2P)
  • Demonstrates ability to work effectively as part of a team
  • Demonstrates flexibility in adapting to changing priorities and working arrangements
  • Able to work independently and take initiative when required
  • Numerate and literate

Experience

Essential criteria
  • Experience of business administration processes
  • Experience of working in a customer service environment
Desirable criteria
  • Experience of working in a purchasing role in the NHS or other large organisation

General

Essential criteria
  • Able to fulfill the health requirements of the post as identified in the Job Description, taking into account any reasonable adjustments recommended by Occupational Health
  • Must be eligible to work in the UK
  • Must be in the office in Huddersfield

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Apprenticeships logoNo smoking policyAge positiveMindful employer.  Being positive about mental health.Disability confident employerStonewall equality policy. Equality and justice for lesbians, gay men, bisexual and trans people.

Documents to download

Apply online now

Further details / informal visits contact

Name
Sohail Khan
Job title
Senior Category Manager
Email address
[email protected]
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