Senior Buyer, South East Pharmacy Procurement Service

Are you a procurement professional with public sector experience, looking for a rewarding new challenge? We’ve the opportunity for a Senior Buyer to join the South-East Pharmacy Procurement Service and take the lead in sourcing for a multi-million-pound portfolio. You’ll use your public procurement expertise to source pharmacy-related products and services for 27 Trusts across the South-East.

You’ll ensure that tenders and resultant contracts:

• Achieve best value for money and comply with public procurement legislation & Trust procurement policies
• Have a positive impact on patient care
• Are effectively maintained, reviewed, and updated in contract portfolio work plans

We’re looking for a team player with strong negotiation skills, who can manage complex high-value tenders and contracts, drive cost-saving initiatives, and improve patient care. You’ll join an experienced, supportive team who can offer excellent work-life balance and hybrid working. You’ll work 1 day per week from West Berkshire Community Hospital meeting with your SEPPS colleagues, then have the flexibility for home working. You’ll report into the Trust’s Procurement team for help and guidance on the functional aspects of the role.

Our Trust is rated ‘Outstanding’ by the CQC, who highlight our positive culture, staff morale and innovative practices. We’re committed to employee well-being and career development. You’ll enjoy 27 days annual leave + bank holidays and a generous NHS pension scheme.

Main duties of the job:

• Lead procurement activities for pharmacy-related products and services, ensuring best value for money.
• Manage the strategic aspects associated with setting up and managing high value frameworks.
• Manage tender processes, including supplier negotiations, contract drafting, and award recommendations.
• Maintain compliance with procurement legislation and Trust policies.
• Support the Head of Procurement in meeting savings targets.
• Act as the key point of contact for suppliers, resolving disputes and securing better pricing.
• Oversee contract portfolios, ensuring they are up to date and effectively managed.
• Provide procurement guidance to stakeholders across various Trusts, ensuring best practices are followed.
• Contributing to regional contract collaboration and product standardisation.

Working for our organisation Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust is a specialist mental health and community health services trust. Rated ‘outstanding’ by the CQC, we’re committed to providing the best possible care to people across Berkshire. As an employer, we’re committed to offering an inclusive and compassionate environment where our people share in a sense of belonging and are supported to flourish.

Our values at Berkshire Healthcare are:

• Caring for and about you is our top priority
• Committed to providing good quality, safe services
• Working Together with you to develop innovative solutions

Your wellbeing is important to us. Some of the benefits of working for us include:

• Flexible working options to support work-life balance
• 27 days’ annual leave rising with service + opportunity to buy and sell
• Excellent learning and career development opportunities
• ‘Cycle to Work’ and car leasing scheme including electric vehicles
• Access to a range of wellbeing tools and services
• Discounts at hundreds of popular retailers and restaurants
• Staff networks for race, diversity, disabilities, the environment and armed forces community to support equality
• Generous maternity, paternity, adoption and special leave
• Free parking across Trust sites

The “must haves” for this role:

• Public procurement experience (which may be demonstrated by 3-5 years’ experience or equivalent)
• Knowledge of public procurement law (including the Public Procurement Act 2023)
• CIPS Level 5 Advanced Diploma in Procurement and Supply or equivalent
• Track record of managing multiple complex procurement projects and contracts

We’re committed to equal opportunities and welcome applications from all sections of the community. Our commitment to inclusion is reflected in our accreditations: Race Equality Matters Silver Trailblazer, Neurodiversity in Business Corporate Member, Disability Confident Leader, Carer Confident Level 2, and the Armed Forces Covenant Gold Award. Reasonable adjustments will be provided to candidates as needed. We welcome a conversation about flexibility and any other questions you may have.

Please note, we may close this role earlier than the advertised closing date, so please submit your application as soon as possible.

Person specification:

• Education/Qualifications/Training
• Previous Experience
• Experience of large public procurement tenders
• Contract management
• Experience of public procurement procedures
• Experience in the NHS

Additional Requirements:

• Ability to manage high level of workload, multiple complex projects
• Advanced keyboard skills
• Ability to Drive

These are the values that we live by at Berkshire Healthcare:

• Caring for and about you is our top priority
• Committed to providing good quality, safe services
• Working Together with you to develop innovative solutions

We welcome people who share these values to come and work for us.

Please find attached the behaviour framework that underpins these values for this job role. At Berkshire Healthcare, we foster an inclusive workplace where everyone belongs. We welcome talent from all backgrounds and offer guaranteed interviews to disabled applicants and armed forces community members who meet the minimum criteria.

Please note we may close positions before the advertised date. Once you have applied, please check your email regularly for updates. All appointments are subject to NHS Employment Checks, and false information may result in withdrawal of offers. For information on how we store your information, please review our privacy statement. No agencies, please.