Mental Health Matters

Purchasing Assistant

The closing date is 22 September 2025

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Job summary

Reporting into the Procurement Officer, the successful candidate will play a key role in helping the purchasing team provide an effective and efficient centralised procurement function supporting internal and external stakeholders. This exciting varied role includes the administration of the supplier contract register, setting up new suppliers and maintaining suppliers, and the raising of centralised purchase orders and monitoring supplier performance, through to being involved with supporting.

Main duties of the job

Daily monitoring of the Purchasing email inbox, responding to and actioning emails in a timely and professional manner and escalating enquiries where appropriate. 2 * Raising centralised POs and monitoring supplier performance. 3 * Maintaining both the purchasing, and statutory accounts, supplier contract register. 4 * Follow up missing POs and GRNs for purchase invoices that are "ready to register". 5 * Tracking information monthly to support contract renewals and new tenders (i.e. gas and electric meter readings). 6 * Assist with sourcing new suppliers and conducting any relevant research. 7 * Setting up new suppliers, and maintaining suppliers, on the system. 8 * Purchase quotes monitoring. 9 * Assisting with supplier contract renewals and new supplier contracts which may include: o Attendance at supplier meetings, o Researching and data collection prior to supplier meetings o Obtaining of supplier quotes. o Providing suppliers with notice prior to an automatic renewal (from the vital supplier contracts register.

About us

MHM is a national charity with over 40 years of experience in delivering high-quality mental health and social care services. We have a positive impact on the lives of people living with mental health needs in our local communities. We provide services across England, from Northumberland to Plymouth, led by a highly motivated and enthusiastic workforce. Our people are the driving force of our organisation, and we are committed to looking after our workforce within a values rich environment.

Details

Date posted

10 September 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 2

Salary

£25,958 to £25,958 a year

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

R000222

Job locations

Waterside House, Sunderland, SR5 2TZ

Sunderland

SR5 2TZ


Job description

Job responsibilities

SALARY: £25,958 progressing to £28,662 HYBRID LOCATION: Waterside House, Sunderland, SR5 2TZ 2 days per week in the office, and 3 days working from home CONTRACT: Permanent - 37.5 hours per week - 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday About the role Reporting into the Procurement Officer, the successful candidate will play a key role in helping the purchasing team provide an effective and efficient centralised procurement function supporting internal and external stakeholders. This exciting varied role includes the administration of the supplier contract register, setting up new suppliers and maintaining suppliers, and the raising of centralised purchase orders and monitoring supplier performance, through to being involved with supporting contract renewals and new tenders, and attending supplier meetings. Please see our job description for further information. About you The successful candidate will have excellent attention to detail, be logical and methodical in their approach, be confident and competent with computers (we primarily use Microsoft Office 365 and Microsoft Dynamics 365), and hold strong written and verbal communication skills to help deliver excellent internal and external customer service. Purchasing experience and/or relevant qualifications preferred. Please see our person specification for further information. About us MHM is a national charity with over 40 years of experience in delivering high-quality mental health and social care services. We have a positive impact on the lives of people living with mental health needs in our local communities. We provide services across England, from Northumberland to Plymouth, led by a highly motivated and enthusiastic workforce. Our people are the driving force of our organisation, and we are committed to looking after our workforce within a values rich environment. What we offer you

  • Competitive salaries, with an annual pay review process
  • 25 days Annual leave, increasing with length of service, plus bank holidays
  • Enhanced Occupational Sick pay
  • Access to our enhanced autoenrollment workplace pension scheme
  • Family friendly and flexible working arrangements to support a good work life balance
  • Access to our Wellbeing Offer - including an Employee Assistance Programme, Virtual GP service, and wellbeing resources
  • Life insurance and Free Will writing service
  • Blue Light Card and Charity Workers discounts
  • Access to Tickets for Good
  • Employee recognition and celebration schemes
  • A tailored induction programme, bespoke Personal Development and Career Pathways to support you in your role and your career aspirations
    • How to Apply We operate Safer Recruitment processes, so if you are interested in this role, you will need to apply via our online application form. Please ensure you answer all of the mandatory questions, and attach your personal statement showing how you meet the person specification criteria. This can be done on a separate document and uploaded as part of your application supporting documents. The closing date for applications is strictly 10am on Monday 22nd September 2025. Due to the expected volume of applications only shortlisted candidates will be contacted with interviews to be held on Tuesday 30th September 2025. We are an equal opportunities employer. We really value diversity and are committed to ensuring our processes are inclusive. We may ask some personal information during the application process, however, everything we ask is to ensure we can offer fair and accessible opportunities for everyone. If you have any questions and/or would like to discuss the vacancy informally before applying, please contact Steven Moyes -

    Job description

    Job responsibilities

    SALARY: £25,958 progressing to £28,662 HYBRID LOCATION: Waterside House, Sunderland, SR5 2TZ 2 days per week in the office, and 3 days working from home CONTRACT: Permanent - 37.5 hours per week - 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday About the role Reporting into the Procurement Officer, the successful candidate will play a key role in helping the purchasing team provide an effective and efficient centralised procurement function supporting internal and external stakeholders. This exciting varied role includes the administration of the supplier contract register, setting up new suppliers and maintaining suppliers, and the raising of centralised purchase orders and monitoring supplier performance, through to being involved with supporting contract renewals and new tenders, and attending supplier meetings. Please see our job description for further information. About you The successful candidate will have excellent attention to detail, be logical and methodical in their approach, be confident and competent with computers (we primarily use Microsoft Office 365 and Microsoft Dynamics 365), and hold strong written and verbal communication skills to help deliver excellent internal and external customer service. Purchasing experience and/or relevant qualifications preferred. Please see our person specification for further information. About us MHM is a national charity with over 40 years of experience in delivering high-quality mental health and social care services. We have a positive impact on the lives of people living with mental health needs in our local communities. We provide services across England, from Northumberland to Plymouth, led by a highly motivated and enthusiastic workforce. Our people are the driving force of our organisation, and we are committed to looking after our workforce within a values rich environment. What we offer you

  • Competitive salaries, with an annual pay review process
  • 25 days Annual leave, increasing with length of service, plus bank holidays
  • Enhanced Occupational Sick pay
  • Access to our enhanced autoenrollment workplace pension scheme
  • Family friendly and flexible working arrangements to support a good work life balance
  • Access to our Wellbeing Offer - including an Employee Assistance Programme, Virtual GP service, and wellbeing resources
  • Life insurance and Free Will writing service
  • Blue Light Card and Charity Workers discounts
  • Access to Tickets for Good
  • Employee recognition and celebration schemes
  • A tailored induction programme, bespoke Personal Development and Career Pathways to support you in your role and your career aspirations
    • How to Apply We operate Safer Recruitment processes, so if you are interested in this role, you will need to apply via our online application form. Please ensure you answer all of the mandatory questions, and attach your personal statement showing how you meet the person specification criteria. This can be done on a separate document and uploaded as part of your application supporting documents. The closing date for applications is strictly 10am on Monday 22nd September 2025. Due to the expected volume of applications only shortlisted candidates will be contacted with interviews to be held on Tuesday 30th September 2025. We are an equal opportunities employer. We really value diversity and are committed to ensuring our processes are inclusive. We may ask some personal information during the application process, however, everything we ask is to ensure we can offer fair and accessible opportunities for everyone. If you have any questions and/or would like to discuss the vacancy informally before applying, please contact Steven Moyes -

    Person Specification

    Qualifications

    Essential

    • At least 5 GCSEs grade A-C or equivalent
    • including Maths and English
    • OR
    • * Hold a relevant level 3 or above
    • qualification
    • * Willingness to work towards Purchasing
    • based or Purchasing linked qualification

    Experience

    Essential

    • Excellent verbal and written
    • communication
    • * Logical and methodical in approach
    • * Ability to work accurately and with
    • excellent attention to detail
    • * Confident and competent with IT software,
    • including Microsoft Office 365 (Word,
    • Excel and Outlook, Teams)
    • * Excellent organisational and
    • administration skills
    • * Demonstrate ability to meet deadlines
    • * Able to work in a challenging and
    • changing environment
    • * Able to proactively contribute to
    • continuous improvement by making
    • positive suggestions to improve
    • processes
    Person Specification

    Qualifications

    Essential

    • At least 5 GCSEs grade A-C or equivalent
    • including Maths and English
    • OR
    • * Hold a relevant level 3 or above
    • qualification
    • * Willingness to work towards Purchasing
    • based or Purchasing linked qualification

    Experience

    Essential

    • Excellent verbal and written
    • communication
    • * Logical and methodical in approach
    • * Ability to work accurately and with
    • excellent attention to detail
    • * Confident and competent with IT software,
    • including Microsoft Office 365 (Word,
    • Excel and Outlook, Teams)
    • * Excellent organisational and
    • administration skills
    • * Demonstrate ability to meet deadlines
    • * Able to work in a challenging and
    • changing environment
    • * Able to proactively contribute to
    • continuous improvement by making
    • positive suggestions to improve
    • processes

    Disclosure and Barring Service Check

    This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

    Employer details

    Employer name

    Mental Health Matters

    Address

    Waterside House, Sunderland, SR5 2TZ

    Sunderland

    SR5 2TZ


    Employer's website

    https://www.mhm.org.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

    Employer details

    Employer name

    Mental Health Matters

    Address

    Waterside House, Sunderland, SR5 2TZ

    Sunderland

    SR5 2TZ


    Employer's website

    https://www.mhm.org.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

    Employer contact details

    For questions about the job, contact:

    People and Organisational Development

    MHM Recruitment Team

    recruitment@mhm.org.uk

    01915163500

    Details

    Date posted

    10 September 2025

    Pay scheme

    Agenda for change

    Band

    Band 2

    Salary

    £25,958 to £25,958 a year

    Contract

    Permanent

    Working pattern

    Full-time

    Reference number

    R000222

    Job locations

    Waterside House, Sunderland, SR5 2TZ

    Sunderland

    SR5 2TZ


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