Job summary
The East of England NHS Collaborative
Procurement Hub is looking for a Procurement Project Assistant to become an
active member of the team, working closely with our category teams to support
our customers across the NHS procurement landscape.
The Hub provides strategic purchasing support,
procurement expertise and commercial skills to NHS and public-sector organisations
and works in partnership with other regional procurement hubs to harness the
benefits of cross-regional collaboration and reduce duplication of effort.
The role is hybrid, with time split between the
Hubs office based in Cambridge and remote working. Some travel within the East of England region
is required along with occasional travel to other areas.
Please visit our website for more information on how the Hub supports the NHS.
Main duties of the job
The is a
new and diverse role which will be essential in supporting our procurement
teams to provide strategic procurement support to NHS organisations across our
categories.
You will
support the category teams with a variety of projects, assisting with all
stages of the procurement project process. You will research project areas,
liaise with customers to establish requirements, support the tendering &
mini-competition processes and maintain systems and records in a consistent
manner across all categories. This role provides significant opportunities to
develop your procurement knowledge and experience including customer and
supplier relationship management.
The
successful candidate will ideally have experience of working within a
procurement environment. You will have good communication and interpersonal
skills, be analytical and possess the ability to manage projects and work on
your own initiative and a willingness to learn. A desire to work towards CIPS
would be encouraged.
About us
#BeKnown
at West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust. By us. By our patients. By our community
We are a busy, friendly, rural NHS Trust providing high-quality care and compassion to
more than a quarter of a million people across west Suffolk. We care for,
treat and support people in hospital, at home and in various community
settings.
The
West Suffolk Hospital in Bury St Edmunds provides acute and secondary care
services (emergency department, maternity and neonatal services, day surgery
unit, eye treatment centre, Macmillan unit and children's ward). It has 500+
beds and is a partner teaching hospital of the University of Cambridge.
Adult
and paediatric community services, provided in collaboration with West Suffolk
Alliance partners, include a range of nursing, therapy, specialist, and ongoing
temporary care and rehabilitation, some at our Newmarket Community Hospital.
We
do our utmost to achieve outstanding clinical outcomes for patients and our
values of fairness, inclusivity, respect, safety and team work guide how we
work and behave as a team.
With
nearly 5,000 staff, from all over the world, we strive to make our organisation
a great place to work. Whatever your role or ambition, we want to help you be
the best you can be.
We
promote a diverse and inclusive community where everyones voice counts and you
can #BeKnown for whoever you are.
Join
us. What will you #BeKnown for?
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please see job description for full details.
The East
of England NHS Collaborative Procurement Hub (the Hub) is a collaborative
NHS organisation that works with customers by using procurement and commercial
expertise to drive value and efficiencies across the NHS. Our purpose is to provide creative
procurement solutions, strategic purchasing support and specialist knowledge to
the member NHS trusts and publicly funded bodies who are out customers. As part of the NHS ourselves, our fundamental
aim is to save the NHS money whilst improving patient care. Collaboration is key to achieving this.
Every member of the award-winning, not for
profit Hub team works collaboratively, playing their part in:
fostering
partnerships local, system and regional
meetings
customers procurement needs
delivering
cash-releasing savings and efficiencies
reducing
duplication
improving
patient care
driving
healthcare innovation
The Hub is hosted by
West Suffolk NHS FT, providing the legal entity for the operation of the Hub
and is the employer of all our staff.
As a Procurement Project Assistant, you will provide an effective
and professional procurement service that delivers on-going cost efficiencies
and benefits to the Hub. Leading on a number of strategic sourcing
sub-categories and supporting sourcing plans set out by the project manager.
The post holder will collate and analyse multiple complex data sets, produce
management reports and provide project and administrative support for a range
of specific and general areas of work.
Job
responsibilities
Strategic Planning and Development
Support
the Executive Team with maintaining a full workplan by actively identifying new
opportunities.
Actively
contribute to the development of services provided by the Hub, support the
production of strategies and business cases.
Seek
developments in the use of new services and products and support the
coordination of any necessary research and /or trials.
Communication
and Relationships
Support face to face
and online engagement with internal and external stakeholders on a range of
matters including: the procurement process; supplier briefings; fact finding,
problem solving; negotiations and contract performance.
Support
the preparation of information and materials for reports and business proposals
for internal and external purposes.
Develop key relationships
with colleagues and share information as appropriate.
Demonstrate
collaborative behaviour in day-to-day activity.
Develop
productive ongoing relationships with end users and suppliers in the form of
specific stakeholder groups andtake a leading role in supplier/user
negotiations.
Maintain
effective supplier and provider partnership and relationship strategies.
Liaise
with internal and external stakeholders regarding sourcing plans and
strategies.
Leading
Change
Support internal and
external stakeholders with implementing change.
Recognise
the need to engage stakeholders in discussions about proposed changes and
encourage a collaborative approach.
Category
Management
Operate
within broad procurement policy but on specific sub-categories work
independently and actively lead on specific category areas.
Support the delivery of
projects and frameworks in accordance with plans.
Prepare sourcing plans,
specifications, invitations to tender and quotations.
Analyse
tender returns, develop the evaluation process and prepare tender reports.
Maintain
accurate and up to date contract information.
Assist
with data collection and validation, including, producing baselines for services.
Analyse
spend data to identify trends and opportunities.
Identify
and validate customer savings using multiple data sources.
Identify
appropriate economies from the standardisation and rationalisation of services
and products.
Actively
support and participate in contract reviews and monitoring supplier
performance.
Gain knowledge of
customer requirements and provide cost effective solutions.
Provide advice on
contracting and tendering for goods and servicesand support customer organisations with specific tendering
processes.
Provide administrative
support to team members to aid the delivery of services to customers.
Maintain an awareness
of national procurement initiatives and the latest procurement legislation.
Undertake
all procurement activities in full accordance with legal requirements (UK
legislation, commercial and contract law), Trust Standing Financial Instructions,
best practice procurement and environment and sustainability requirements.
Support
the implementation of new procurement policies within the Hub and stakeholder
organisations.
Undertake audits,
surveys and research to inform planning, management and engagement processes.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please see job description for full details.
The East
of England NHS Collaborative Procurement Hub (the Hub) is a collaborative
NHS organisation that works with customers by using procurement and commercial
expertise to drive value and efficiencies across the NHS. Our purpose is to provide creative
procurement solutions, strategic purchasing support and specialist knowledge to
the member NHS trusts and publicly funded bodies who are out customers. As part of the NHS ourselves, our fundamental
aim is to save the NHS money whilst improving patient care. Collaboration is key to achieving this.
Every member of the award-winning, not for
profit Hub team works collaboratively, playing their part in:
fostering
partnerships local, system and regional
meetings
customers procurement needs
delivering
cash-releasing savings and efficiencies
reducing
duplication
improving
patient care
driving
healthcare innovation
The Hub is hosted by
West Suffolk NHS FT, providing the legal entity for the operation of the Hub
and is the employer of all our staff.
As a Procurement Project Assistant, you will provide an effective
and professional procurement service that delivers on-going cost efficiencies
and benefits to the Hub. Leading on a number of strategic sourcing
sub-categories and supporting sourcing plans set out by the project manager.
The post holder will collate and analyse multiple complex data sets, produce
management reports and provide project and administrative support for a range
of specific and general areas of work.
Job
responsibilities
Strategic Planning and Development
Support
the Executive Team with maintaining a full workplan by actively identifying new
opportunities.
Actively
contribute to the development of services provided by the Hub, support the
production of strategies and business cases.
Seek
developments in the use of new services and products and support the
coordination of any necessary research and /or trials.
Communication
and Relationships
Support face to face
and online engagement with internal and external stakeholders on a range of
matters including: the procurement process; supplier briefings; fact finding,
problem solving; negotiations and contract performance.
Support
the preparation of information and materials for reports and business proposals
for internal and external purposes.
Develop key relationships
with colleagues and share information as appropriate.
Demonstrate
collaborative behaviour in day-to-day activity.
Develop
productive ongoing relationships with end users and suppliers in the form of
specific stakeholder groups andtake a leading role in supplier/user
negotiations.
Maintain
effective supplier and provider partnership and relationship strategies.
Liaise
with internal and external stakeholders regarding sourcing plans and
strategies.
Leading
Change
Support internal and
external stakeholders with implementing change.
Recognise
the need to engage stakeholders in discussions about proposed changes and
encourage a collaborative approach.
Category
Management
Operate
within broad procurement policy but on specific sub-categories work
independently and actively lead on specific category areas.
Support the delivery of
projects and frameworks in accordance with plans.
Prepare sourcing plans,
specifications, invitations to tender and quotations.
Analyse
tender returns, develop the evaluation process and prepare tender reports.
Maintain
accurate and up to date contract information.
Assist
with data collection and validation, including, producing baselines for services.
Analyse
spend data to identify trends and opportunities.
Identify
and validate customer savings using multiple data sources.
Identify
appropriate economies from the standardisation and rationalisation of services
and products.
Actively
support and participate in contract reviews and monitoring supplier
performance.
Gain knowledge of
customer requirements and provide cost effective solutions.
Provide advice on
contracting and tendering for goods and servicesand support customer organisations with specific tendering
processes.
Provide administrative
support to team members to aid the delivery of services to customers.
Maintain an awareness
of national procurement initiatives and the latest procurement legislation.
Undertake
all procurement activities in full accordance with legal requirements (UK
legislation, commercial and contract law), Trust Standing Financial Instructions,
best practice procurement and environment and sustainability requirements.
Support
the implementation of new procurement policies within the Hub and stakeholder
organisations.
Undertake audits,
surveys and research to inform planning, management and engagement processes.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Member of Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply (CIPS) or appropriate professional institute or actively working towards or relevant experience.
- Evidence of continuous professional development.
Desirable
- Recognised project management qualification or equivalent experience
Personal Qualities
Essential
- Supports and encourages teamwork.
- Willingness to implement new concepts.
- Self-confident and motivated
- Tact and diplomacy
- Values diversity
- Highly analytical
- Dependable
- Caring disposition
Experience
Essential
- Experience of working in a procurement environment. Knowledge of EU procurement legislation.
- Knowledge of information analysis and reporting.
- Knowledge of software packages e.g. Microsoft Excel; PowerPoint; and Word to produce charts, graphs; mathematical and logical formulas and presentations.
Desirable
- Procurement experience gained within the NHS or other public-sector organisations.
Skills & Abilities
Essential
- Good written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills.
- Ability to deliver projects to target (timescales and financial).
- Ability to manage multiple projects with minimal supervision.
- Ability to analyse and evaluate data.
- Ability to work on own initiative, making decisions and exercising a significant level of independent judgement.
- Ability to think laterally and problem solve.
- Ability to manage and prioritise own workload and to plan ahead.
- Ability to develop administrative systems and processes to support the efficient management of own work areas.
- Ability to produce comprehensive draft reports, data and letters
- Meets tight deadlines in a fast-paced environment with high levels of performance.
- Ability to travel to occasional meetings within and outside of the Region.
- General use of mouse and keyboard and manipulating documents.
Desirable
- Ability to negotiate, network and persuasive skills
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Member of Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply (CIPS) or appropriate professional institute or actively working towards or relevant experience.
- Evidence of continuous professional development.
Desirable
- Recognised project management qualification or equivalent experience
Personal Qualities
Essential
- Supports and encourages teamwork.
- Willingness to implement new concepts.
- Self-confident and motivated
- Tact and diplomacy
- Values diversity
- Highly analytical
- Dependable
- Caring disposition
Experience
Essential
- Experience of working in a procurement environment. Knowledge of EU procurement legislation.
- Knowledge of information analysis and reporting.
- Knowledge of software packages e.g. Microsoft Excel; PowerPoint; and Word to produce charts, graphs; mathematical and logical formulas and presentations.
Desirable
- Procurement experience gained within the NHS or other public-sector organisations.
Skills & Abilities
Essential
- Good written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills.
- Ability to deliver projects to target (timescales and financial).
- Ability to manage multiple projects with minimal supervision.
- Ability to analyse and evaluate data.
- Ability to work on own initiative, making decisions and exercising a significant level of independent judgement.
- Ability to think laterally and problem solve.
- Ability to manage and prioritise own workload and to plan ahead.
- Ability to develop administrative systems and processes to support the efficient management of own work areas.
- Ability to produce comprehensive draft reports, data and letters
- Meets tight deadlines in a fast-paced environment with high levels of performance.
- Ability to travel to occasional meetings within and outside of the Region.
- General use of mouse and keyboard and manipulating documents.
Desirable
- Ability to negotiate, network and persuasive skills
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.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
Additional information
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.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
Employer details
Employer name
West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust
Address
West Suffolk Hospitals Nhs Trust
Hardwick Lane
Bury St. Edmunds
Suffolk
IP332QZ
Employer's website
https://www.wsh.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)
