Procurement Officer

Procurement Officer

Temporary 40500 - 49500 £ / year (est.) On-site
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Support procurement of goods and services, ensuring best value for the Trust.
  • Company: Join Great Ormond Street Hospital, a leading NHS organisation dedicated to children's care.
  • Benefits: Gain valuable experience in a diverse team with opportunities for professional development.
  • Other info: Inclusive workplace culture committed to anti-racism and diversity.
  • Why this job: Make a real difference in public health while developing your procurement skills.
  • Qualifications: Degree level education or CIPS Level 4 Diploma, with relevant procurement experience.

The predicted salary is between 40500 - 49500 £ per year.

An exciting opportunity has arisen for two Procurement Officers to join the Procurement Team at Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) on an 18-month fixed-term contract. These roles will play a key part in supporting the Trust's procurement objectives, delivering value for money, and identifying savings opportunities that help maximise the impact of public funds. This is an excellent opportunity for procurement professionals looking to develop their careers within a leading specialist NHS organisation, working on a diverse range of procurement projects that directly support the delivery of world-class care for children and young people.

The Procurement Officer will be responsible for supporting and delivering the procurement of goods, services, and works, ensuring that all procurement activity achieves the best value for the Trust, mitigates commercial risk, and complies with UK procurement legislation, NHS policies, and the Trust's Standing Financial Instructions (SFIs).

Reporting to the Head of Procurement and/or Senior Procurement Business Partner, the postholder will receive guidance and support where required while managing their own workload and portfolio of procurement activities with a high degree of autonomy.

The role will provide procurement support across a range of categories, including:

  • Estates, Facilities and Construction
  • Digital and Information Technology
  • Corporate and Professional Services

While operating as part of a flexible procurement team, there is an intention to align individual postholders to specific category areas over time, providing opportunities to develop category expertise, strengthen commercial skills, and build a rewarding career in NHS and public sector procurement.

We are committed to recruiting the best person for the job through a fair, open and consistent process that is free from bias and discrimination. We are working towards becoming an anti-racist organisation. This means creating a workplace where every colleague feels seen, heard and valued, and where racism in any form has no place. Our anti-racism commitment is backed by action through our Anti-Racism Statement and action plan, developed in collaboration with our REACH staff network.

We actively challenge discrimination, dismantle barriers and embed equity across all aspects of our workforce, including recruitment, progression and development. All applicants will receive equal consideration regardless of race, ethnicity, nationality, religion or belief, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, health condition or employment history. We particularly welcome applications from ethnically diverse communities, people with disabilities or long-term health conditions, and LGBTQ+ community members. We are proud to be a Disability Confident Employer, a member of the Business Disability Forum, and a Stonewall Diversity Champion.

Our staff networks, including REACH, PRIDE, ENABLED and Women’s Networks, are active and executive supported. These employee-led networks play a vital role in shaping an inclusive culture at GOSH and are open to all colleagues. Together, we are building a culture where inclusion is not optional - it is essential.

The full job description provides an overview of the key tasks and responsibilities of the role, and the person specification outlines the qualifications, skills, experience, and knowledge required.

Essential criteria

  • Educated to degree level or holding a CIPS Level 4 Diploma (or equivalent qualification, training and experience), with a commitment to continuing professional development and willingness to work towards a relevant professional qualification.
  • Relevant qualification in Procurement, Business, Finance, Commercial Management, Public Administration, or a related discipline, or equivalent practical experience in a procurement or commercial environment.
  • Experience of working as part of a diverse team.
  • Experience of contributing to an inclusive workplace culture.
  • Experience in a procurement, purchasing, commercial, contract management, finance, or similar role, with a proven ability to deliver procurement activities and support stakeholders.
  • Knowledge of public sector procurement principles and relevant procurement legislation, including the Procurement Act 2023 and Public Contracts Regulations 2015.
  • Experience of working within the NHS, wider public sector, or a regulated environment, with an understanding of governance, compliance, and value-for-money principles.
  • Proficient in the use of Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel, Word, Outlook, and PowerPoint, with experience of analysing and presenting data.
  • Experience of supporting quotation, tender, or sourcing exercises, including supplier engagement, evaluation, and contract administration.
  • Ability to analyse information, identify opportunities for improvement, and provide practical procurement advice to stakeholders.

Desirable criteria

  • Experience of using e-procurement and contract management systems (Atamis) and other procurement-related tools.

Essential criteria

  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to prepare clear reports, procurement documentation, and correspondence for a range of stakeholders.
  • Strong organisational skills, with excellent attention to detail and the ability to manage competing priorities while maintaining accuracy and compliance.
  • Effective interpersonal and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to build positive working relationships and collaborate across multidisciplinary teams.
  • Good negotiation and influencing skills, with the ability to support commercial discussions and achieve value-for-money outcomes.
  • Strong analytical and numerical skills, with the ability to interpret procurement, contract, and financial data to support decision‑making.
  • Proficient in the use of information systems and digital tools, with the ability to produce reports, analyse data, and maintain accurate procurement and contract records.
  • Ability to apply procurement policies, procedures, and governance requirements in a practical and proportionate manner.
  • Ability to work independently and take ownership of assigned procurement activities while seeking guidance where appropriate.

Procurement Officer employer: Great Ormond Street Hospital

Great Ormond Street Hospital is an exceptional employer, renowned for its commitment to providing high-quality care to children and families. With a strong focus on professional development, the hospital offers numerous opportunities for staff growth and advancement within a supportive and collaborative work culture. Located in the heart of London, employees benefit from a vibrant environment that fosters innovation and excellence in paediatric healthcare.

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Contact Details:

Great Ormond Street Hospital Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Procurement Officer

✨Get Involved in Local Procurement Meetups

Join local procurement and purchasing groups on platforms like Meetup or Eventbrite. These gatherings are great for networking with industry professionals, sharing insights, and potentially hearing about temporary roles that might not be widely advertised!

✨Seasonal Hiring Cycles are Your Friend!

Keep an eye on seasonal trends in procurement, as many companies ramp up hiring during certain times of the year – especially around end-of-financial-year periods when budgets are being utilised. Be proactive and reach out to companies directly during these windows.

✨Leverage Online Platforms for Temporary Roles

Don’t forget to browse specific job boards dedicated to temporary positions, such as Reed or Indeed. You can filter your search for procurement roles and set up alerts for when new jobs pop up, so you can apply immediately!

✨Showcase Your Skills on Professional Networks

Create short case studies or posts on LinkedIn showcasing your procurement experience or interesting projects you've tackled. This not only builds your visibility but can also attract recruiters looking for temporary talent like you!

We think you need these skills to ace Procurement Officer

Procurement Knowledge
Public Sector Procurement Principles
Contract Management
Stakeholder Engagement
Data Analysis
Microsoft Office Proficiency
Negotiation Skills

Some tips for your application 🫡

Showcase Relevant Experience:When applying for a temporary role in procurement-purchasing, it's crucial to highlight any relevant experience you have. Mention specific tasks like negotiating contracts, managing supplier relationships, or optimising inventory. This will show Great Ormond Street Hospital that you can hit the ground running!

Keep it Concise and Impactful:For a temporary role, we recommend keeping your CV and cover letter concise. Focus on key achievements that showcase your procurement skills and any immediate impact you’ve made in past roles. Use bullet points for clarity—this way, Great Ormond Street Hospital can quickly grasp your capabilities!

Include Relevant Certifications:If you’ve got any certifications that are relevant to procurement, like CIPS (Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply), don’t forget to mention them! This adds extra weight to your application and shows Great Ormond Street Hospital that you're serious about your professional development.

Emphasise Flexibility and Availability:Since this is a temporary position, make sure to emphasise your availability and flexibility in your cover letter. Let Great Ormond Street Hospital know when you can start and that you’re ready to adapt to their needs, making your application even more appealing!

How to prepare for a job interview at Great Ormond Street Hospital

✨Know Your Procurement Basics

Brush up on key procurement concepts and terms, like 'total cost of ownership' and 'supplier relationships'. We want to impress them with our knowledge! Being able to talk fluently about relevant techniques and tools specific to the procurement field will definitely lend credibility.

✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions

In a purchasing role, you might get thrown some real-world scenarios to assess how you’d handle supplier negotiations or cost-saving strategies. Be ready to demonstrate your problem-solving skills! Practising how you'd tackle these situations in advance will help us shine during the interview.

✨Highlight Your Flexibility and Adaptability

Since it’s a temporary role, emphasise how you can quickly adapt to new processes and environments. Share examples of past experiences where you’ve tackled new challenges with ease, showing they can rely on us to hit the ground running and contribute immediately!

✨Show Off Your Tech Savvy

Being well-versed in procurement software like SAP or Coupa can set us apart from other candidates. If you've got experience with these tools, be sure to mention it! Having a handle on data analysis and reporting will also demonstrate our capability to leverage technology effectively in procurement.