London Ambulance Service NHS Trust

Buyer

The closing date is 16 March 2026

Job summary

The Procurement Department at the London Ambulance Service is looking for a motivated, dedicated and enthusiastic individuals to join us as Buyer.

We have 5 procurement categories each headed by a Category Manager and the buyer roles provide support across these categories.

We are looking for individuals with experience of public sector procurement who are looking to further their career within Procurement.

Main duties of the job

Supporting the Category Manager to deliver the category strategy
To ensure all procurement is conducted in line with the LAS Standing Financial Instructions and UK legislation
To place orders using the Trusts online ordering systems in a timely and efficient manner
Reducing the cost and improving efficiency through the management of appropriate on-line catalogues
To provide a high quality of service to internal stakeholders, acting as the first point of contact for Procurement and working closely with other members of the Procurement team to provide the highest level of procurement support across the Trust
Liaise with supplier regarding orders and contract performance
Using the Atamis/Health Family procurement portal for any sourcing activity & to record all contract details
Providing support and guidance to stakeholders for spend below the tender threshold or where suitable frameworks can be utilised
Assisting the Category Manager with procurements requiring a competitive tender

Main duties of the job

Report to the CategoryManager and support the delivery of the Category Strategy.
Maximise the benefits of using on-line procurement by simplifying and reducing the cost of procurement through the introduction of appropriate on-line catalogues
With minimal supervision and guidance, act as the focal point, and assume responsibility for purchasing within the service that is conducted by the department.
Close liaison with directors, operational managers to aid objectives in relation to the purchase and supply of goods and services
Develop and maintain positive relationships with all key stakeholders within the service and other NHS or Government organisations, suppliers or other relevant bodies
Use professional skills, judgement and experience to influence both internal users and external suppliers in relation to the purchasing decision making process
Participate in the purchasing process, which will include the development of specifications with key users, supplier evaluation, supplier appraisal, supplier negotiations, detailed analysis of tenders giving a conclusion and final recommendation, contract award and ongoing monitoring
Assess customer requirements, determines the appropriate supplier, analyses financial and purchasing data from quotes and options for purchases and contract awards.

About us

Our strategy 2023-2028 outlines how we plan to achieve this, and is centred upon three missions focused on:

Our care- delivering outstanding emergency and urgent care whenever and wherever needed.
Our organisation- being an increasingly inclusive, well-led and highly skilled organisation people are proud to work for.
Our London- using our unique pan-London position to contribute to improving the health of the capital.

To achieve these three missions we have set ourselves 50 commitments to deliver over the next five years. In developing these ambitious commitments, we have engaged extensively both inside our organisation, with our partners and with our patients, and we have analysed population trends and horizon scanned the future.

Date posted

02 March 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 5

Salary

£37,259 to £45,356 a year Per annum incl HCAS

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

308-CORP-3196

Job locations

London Ambulance Service

220 Waterloo Road

London

SE1 8SD

Job description

Job responsibilities

To procure goods and services, ensuring an efficient service is provided to internal customers so they can obtain the goods and services they need, within reasonable timescales, at competitive prices and at the required quality level.
To ensure that all procurement is conducted following the tendering rules and regulations of the Trusts own Standing Financial Instructions and UK procurement legislation.
To place orders using the Trusts online ordering systems (E-Fin and E-Proc) used for its procurement of goods and services and that each requirement is dealt with in a timely manner to ensure an efficient service is provided to its internal customers.
Maintain a programme for continuous development of the supplier chain to ensure the procurement of goods and services from their original source to end user including its life cycle is competitive, reliable, flexible and quality focused

Job description

Job responsibilities

To procure goods and services, ensuring an efficient service is provided to internal customers so they can obtain the goods and services they need, within reasonable timescales, at competitive prices and at the required quality level.
To ensure that all procurement is conducted following the tendering rules and regulations of the Trusts own Standing Financial Instructions and UK procurement legislation.
To place orders using the Trusts online ordering systems (E-Fin and E-Proc) used for its procurement of goods and services and that each requirement is dealt with in a timely manner to ensure an efficient service is provided to its internal customers.
Maintain a programme for continuous development of the supplier chain to ensure the procurement of goods and services from their original source to end user including its life cycle is competitive, reliable, flexible and quality focused

Person Specification

Qualifications, Accreditations, Education

Essential

Educated to A level standard or equivalent experience

Experience

Essential

Knowledge of professional purchasing principles acquired through professional qualifications - Degree or Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply (CIPS) or equivalent training and experience
General knowledge of computer systems and the use of Microsoft packages including Word and Excel

Knowledge and Skills

Essential

Good all round communication and interpersonal skills with ability to influence at all levels on both internal and external issues
Methodical approach to work producing accurate attention to detail
Excellent written and oral communication skills
Ability to manage a large workload and plan work according to changing priorities
Ability to respond quickly and appropriately to important issues
Ability to work effectively as part of a team
Ability to promote and deliver a customer focused service

Person Specification

Qualifications, Accreditations, Education

Essential

Educated to A level standard or equivalent experience

Experience

Essential

Knowledge of professional purchasing principles acquired through professional qualifications - Degree or Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply (CIPS) or equivalent training and experience
General knowledge of computer systems and the use of Microsoft packages including Word and Excel

Knowledge and Skills

Essential

Good all round communication and interpersonal skills with ability to influence at all levels on both internal and external issues
Methodical approach to work producing accurate attention to detail
Excellent written and oral communication skills
Ability to manage a large workload and plan work according to changing priorities
Ability to respond quickly and appropriately to important issues
Ability to work effectively as part of a team
Ability to promote and deliver a customer focused service

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

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

Certificate of Sponsorship

Employer details

Employer name

London Ambulance Service NHS Trust

Address

London Ambulance Service

220 Waterloo Road

London

SE1 8SD

Employer's website

https://www.londonambulance.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

London Ambulance Service NHS Trust

Address

London Ambulance Service

220 Waterloo Road

London

SE1 8SD

Employer's website

https://www.londonambulance.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)