Senior Procurement Officer

North West Ambulance Service NHS Trust is an Equal Opportunities Employer. We are committed to providing services which embrace diversity and which promote equality of opportunity. We offer a guaranteed interview scheme for disabled applicants who meet our minimum selection criteria at each stage of the selection process. We will not tolerate discrimination on any of the following: gender, marital status, sexual orientation, race, colour, nationality, religion, age, disability, working pattern, caring responsibilities trade union activity or political beliefs-or any other grounds.

The Trust is currently under-represented in terms of staff from black and minority ethnic backgrounds. We encourage applications from all backgrounds to improve the diversity of our workforce and to better reflect the communities we serve to provide the right care, at the right time, in the right place; every time.

The Trust reserves the right to close this vacancy early if a large number of applications are received.

Due to the volume of applications received for our advertisements, we will only contact those candidates shortlisted for interview via email; we aim to do this within 4 weeks of the closing date. If you do not receive the email, it will be that you have not been shortlisted on this occasion. When applying for this position, it is essential that you read the job description and person specification fully. Please use the supporting information space to demonstrate your ability to undertake this role, drawing on your skills, knowledge and experience.

We also offer a range of excellent benefits including a pension scheme, up to 33 days Annual leave (exclusive of bank holidays), training and development opportunities, access to NHS discounts, Car Lease Scheme, Cycle to Work Scheme, NHS Mortgages and Childcare Vouchers.

Job overview

The North West Ambulance Service NHS Trust (NWAS) is one of the largest ambulance services in the country providing 999 emergency response, non-emergency patient transport services, 111 services and emergency planning and resilience for seven million people across 5400 square miles.

The North West Ambulance Service NHS Trust is looking to recruit a Senior Procurement Officer to join the existing procurement team; we are looking to recruit a pro-active, self motivated and ambitious individual to join our team.

You will act as a lead expert in all aspects of procurement and supply, providing professional advice to internal and external customers to the Trust. You will play a key role in the effective delivery of a portfolio of projects/tenders across a wide range of categories both clinical and non-clinical, including Find a Tender requirements and following best practice tools and techniques to achieve contract compliance, cost reductions and savings whilst ensuring continuous improvement in quality.

Main duties of the job

You should be CIPS qualified or working towards the qualification, will have at least 3 years procurement experience, have a good understanding of current procurement guidance and legislation (including Public Procurement Regulations).

A positive, proactive and committed approach is essential, together with the ability to analyse, innovate, motivate and manage a busy and changing workload against tight deadlines.

You should have excellent interpersonal and communication skills including the ability to deliver high quality documentation. It is expected that you will have effective team leadership skills and will be a natural team player as the role may require some supervision of operational procurement staff.

You must have strong IT skills including MS Office and e-Procurement systems particularly as we look to continually optimise e-procurement systems across the Trust.

The role requires working from Ladybridge Hall, Bolton and Home location with flexibility to meet the demands of the role and department. This policy is flexible and will be discussed at interview stage. Free on site parking is available at Ladybridge Hall.

Working for our organisation

North West Ambulance Service NHS Trust provides 24 hour, 365 days a year accident and emergency services to those in need of emergency medical treatment and transport.

Our highly skilled staff provide life-saving care to patients in the community and take people to hospital or a place of care if needed. We also provide non-emergency patient transport services for those patients who require non-emergency transport to and from hospital and who are unable to travel unaided because of their medical condition or clinical need.

Alongside the other emergency services, we also work to ensure the safety of the public and treatment of patients in the event of a major incident.

We also deliver the NHS 111 service in the North West. NHS 111 replaced NHS Direct in 2013. This service was introduced to make it easier for people to access local NHS healthcare services in England. It provides non-emergency medical help fast, and is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Please refer to the Job Description and Person Specification for more information, for an informal chat regarding the position, contact Vicki Stansfield ( ) / or via 07812 304266.

“NWAS is an inclusive employer and welcomes applications from all underrepresented groups to ensure our workforce reflects the diversity of the communities we serve”

Advert closes – 23 February 2025

Interviews – W/C 3rd March 2025

Person specification

Skills

• Analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Negotiating and influencing skills.
• Computer Literacy (skills) advanced knowledge and proficiency of I.T. packages particularly in the use of word processing, spreadsheets, and databases (or commitment to train).

Qualifications

• Qualified Member (MCIPS) of the Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (CIPS).
• Educated to degree level or equivalent and/or be able to demonstrate equivalent significant experience in Procurement at a senior level.
• General standard of education A Levels/Diploma or equivalent.
• Evidence of continuous personal development (PDP).
• Willingness to undertake any training as required by the Trust.
• Valid driving licence for use in the UK and access to a vehicle for work use OR ability to travel between sites using other means within reasonable timescales.

Experience

• Significant relevant experience in a senior procurement role or supplies/contracting environment.
• Experience of undertaking tendering and contracting activity including experience of Public Procurement Regulations.
• Knowledge of the legislative framework governing procurement is required. Knowledge of Terms and Conditions of Contract preferably in the public sector and knowledge of the Freedom of Information Act, the Data Protection Act and confidentiality requirements.
• Knowledge of Procurement and supply chain processes.
• Project Management Experience.
• People Management Experience (supervising, training, developing, and supporting).
• Experience and knowledge of computerised ordering and tendering systems.

Values and Behaviours

• Working together – demonstrate collaborative and inclusive working and challenge behaviour that is not inclusive or acceptable.
• Being at our best – professional and adaptable and takes pride in work.
• Making a difference – act with compassion, kindness and integrity towards everyone.

Any offer of employment may be withdrawn if you knowingly withhold information, provide false or misleading information.

Should you be successful at interview stage, successful candidates will receive a conditional offer of employment, this will be subject to the NHS Employment Checks Standards.

Right to work – You will be required to provide a valid right to work in the UK document. North West Ambulance Service NHS Trust are currently able to provide sponsorship for roles that are identified under the Health and Care visa, further information on this can be found here Health and Care Worker visa: Your job – GOV.UK (

Reference checks – This will cover a minimum of a three-year period and will include a request for the number of days and occasions of sickness absence covering a minimum two-year period. In line with equality legislation, the earliest point at which we will ask health-related questions is when an offer of employment has been made. Absences related to disability may be excluded from these considerations; consideration would be given as to what would be a reasonable attendance level, based on the information available. Absences related to pregnancy, maternity and/or gender reassignment will be excluded from these considerations. Detailed information on the NHS Employment Checks Standards is available on the NHS Employers website; search ‘employment checks’.

DBS Checks – If the post is subject to DBS disclosure, a charge will be made for this disclosure.

Occupational Health – You will require satisfactory medical clearance.

Whilst not a condition of employment, all staff are encouraged to be vaccinated against COVID-19 as this remains the best line of defence against COVID-19.

From 1st September 2018, Section 2 of the Agenda for Change Terms and Conditions will automatically apply to the calculation of unsocial hours for all appointments that commence in post from this date (except secondments).

If you do not have regular access to your email please contact a member of the HR Hub Team on 03451122018.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

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.

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