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.
Please note we are looking to hold interviews week commencing 30th March 2026.
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.
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.
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).
