Purchasing Specialist

Main area Procurement Grade Band 5 Contract 6 months (6-months fixed term) Hours Full time - 37.5 hours per week (Hybrid working) Job ref 339-FD4502-RUH

Site Southmead HOU Town Bristol Salary £32,073 - £39,043 pa pro rata Salary period Yearly Closing 21/10/2026 23:59

North Bristol NHS Trust (NBT) and University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust (UHBW) have merged as of 1 st July 2026 to become Bristol NHS Foundation Trust. This creates an exciting future that brings together the best of both organisations. As a single, strong and sustainable organisation, we will not only be able to deliver better outcomes for our patients and fairer care for our population, but it will also provide greater opportunities for our people.

Bristol NHS Foundation Trust recognise the value of a healthy work-life balance. When applying, speak to us about how we might be able to accommodate flexible working, so your work life fits around your home life.

We particularly welcome applications from Black, Asian and minority ethnic candidates as they are under-represented within the Trust.

Generative artificial intelligence (AI) describes algorithms that can be used to produce new content, including audio, code, images, text, simulations, and videos. It is developing all the time and is now being used as a support mechanism for all kinds of content-based creations. Please note the use of AI is monitored and if applicants have used it then they are required to declare this.

Job overview

Bristol & Weston Purchasing Consortium (BWPC) is an award-winning provider of procurement and purchasing services in support of NHS Trusts and healthcare providers in the Bristol region.

BWPC’s remit includes the purchasing of medical equipment, consumables, instrumentation and fluids for hospitals, negotiating regional technology contracts, driving effective use of contract and agency staffing and providing data and systems to allow our clients to leverage their expenditure to their advantage.

Purchasing Specialists form the core of the Procurement Team within Bristol & Weston Purchasing Consortium and report to Senior Purchasing Specialists, Category Managers and the Senior Management Team while supervising, guiding and advising Buyers.

Main duties of the job

• Lead the delivery of procurement projects to achieve savings and cost reduction
• Analyse spend and relationship data to produce evidence for viable contracting and procurement opportunities
• Report results and activity accurately and in a timely manner
• Manage and engage key stakeholders to develop relationships and influence
• Promote procurement best-practice, demonstrating the value and benefit of the profession
• FFocus on continuous improvement to ensure the team is pushing for the highest standards
• Prepare and develop procurement documentation that is clear, concise and effective
• Recommend sourcing approaches as a result of fact-based analysis
• Build our client’s commercial position through whole-life costing and an aggressive pursuit of cost reduction

Working for our organisation

Bristol NHS Foundation Trust brings together more than 28,000 staff to deliver over 160 clinical services across thirteen hospital locations,operatingfrom three main sites at Southmead, Bristol citycentreand Weston.

With an annual turnover of £2.3 billion, we are now one of the largest NHS trusts in the United Kingdom. Our hospitals are spread across Bristol and Weston, join us and you can enjoy the very best of both worlds; city living within a stone’s throw of the countryside or beside the seaside, both with easy access to all that theSouth Westhas to offer.Bristol NHS Foundation Trust values all people as individuals. As an equal opportunities employer actively working towards a diverse workforce we aim to recruit and retaina workforce whichrepresentsthe rich diversity of the local population at all levels and are committed to designing our services around the needs of individual patients and those around them. Anonymous information will be used from your application in order to ensure we’re meeting our pledge.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

For a more detailed job description, main responsibilities, and Person Specification, please refer to the job description document attached to this vacancy.

Education/Training/Qualifications

• CIPS level 4 qualified or a willingness to work toward the qualification

Experience

• Proven experience of working in a purchasing/contracting environment
• Evidence of having led successful negotiations to conclude a contractual relationship
• Working knowledge of the regulations governing public sector procurement

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

• High standard of communication
• Ability to lead project work alone or as part of a team
• Understanding of contract and procurement law
• Experienced user of Microsoft Excel, working use of all Microsoft Office products
• Understanding of supplier relationship management
• Understanding of supply chain management

Personal Qualities/Special Circumstances

• An analytical problem solving approach to activity

We hope that you will decide to join us and become part of this exciting journey, helping us to shape our future together.

• As an equal opportunities employer actively working towards a diverse workforce we aim to recruit and retain a workforce which represents the rich diversity of the local population at all levels and are committed to designing our services around the needs of individual patients and those around them. Anonymous information will be used from your application to ensure we’re meeting our pledge.
• The Trust is committed to investing in and caring for all our staff. We will support you in maintaining and improving your health and wellbeing, as well as your career development through management and training support - developing exceptional people for exceptional careers.
• BFT is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and vulnerable adults.
• To comply with Part 7 of the Immigration Act 2016 all applicants must be able to speak fluent English to an appropriate standard which will be assessed at Interview.
• If you require sponsorship for a visa to work in the UK, to avoid disappointment, please check to ensure you are eligible under the UKVI points based system.
• The Trust uses electronic new starter forms on Trac to collect personal details. Information collected is securely stored and used to set up the employee record on the ESR HR system.
• By applying for this post, you are agreeing to Bristol NHS Foundation Trust transferring the information contained in this application to its preferred applicant management system. If you are offered a job, information will also be transferred into the national NHS Electronic Staff Records system.

IMPORTANT:

Please note that if you apply for a position with this Trust, you may be contacted via Trac or via email. This includes invites for job interviews. We therefore recommend that you regularly check your Trac account and email accounts. We may also contact you by texting the mobile number, if provided, on the application form.

Only those candidates who clearly demonstrate how they meet the person specification will be shortlisted for this job.

As a guide interviews should usually take place within 3 weeks of the closing date.

When providing employment reference details, please provide correct work-related email addresses so references can be sought promptly when we are looking to progress your application. Your referee must all be known to you in a line manager or professional lead capacity.

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