Senior Buyer

Job summary

Interview will be held on 3rd June 2025

Are you a procurement professional ready to make your skills countwhere it matters - improving patient care?

We're looking for a Senior Buyer to join our friendly and experienced Procurement Team at Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust. You'll use your commercial expertise and public sector knowledge to directly contribute to the quality, efficiency and impact of NHS services across the region.

We're looking for a team player who can:

• Manage complex, high-value tenders and contracts

• Negotiate effectively with suppliers and stakeholders

• Drive cost-saving initiatives and value for money

• Support service improvements that benefit patient care

You'll be responsible for delivering value through compliant and timely procurement of goods and services. You'll support the Tender Manager and Head of Procurement to meet financial targets, maintain governance standards, and promote procurement excellence at all levels of the organisation.

Join an experienced, supportive team who offer excellent work-life balance and hybrid working, enjoying 27 days annual leave + bank holidays and a generous NHS pension scheme. The base for this role is London House in Bracknell, however, much of your work can be remote.

Our Trust is rated 'Outstanding' by the CQC, who highlight our positive culture, staff morale and innovation. We're committed to employee well-being and career development.

Main duties of the job

• Lead compliant tendering processes for contracts over £10k + VAT in line with procurement legislation and Trust policies

• Develop tender documentation, evaluate bids (including full life cycle costing), and coordinate award recommendations

• Manage supplier relationships, including negotiating improved pricing and resolving disputes, while maintaining patient care standards

• Approve contracts and orders up to £30k, and advise on authorisation for higher-value procurements

• Oversee a portfolio of contracts, ensuring performance, compliance, and delivery of value for money

• Validate invoices where required, and ensure contracts are accurately recorded in the Trust's Contract Management System

• Publish transparency notices on the Central Digital Platform and manage resulting expressions of interest

• Support the Tender Manager and Head of Procurement with strategy development, policy updates, business cases, and procurement work plans

• Provide expert advice to stakeholders across the Trust on procurement processes and best practice

• Deliver internal training and help ensure organisational compliance with procurement policies

• Promote product standardisation and support regional collaboration via NHS Commercial Alliance and BOB ICS

• Contribute to delivering annual cost savings and supporting procurement-related projects as required

About us

Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust is a specialist mental health and community health services trust. Rated 'outstanding' by the CQC, we're committed to providing the best possible care to people across Berkshire. As an employer, we're committed to offering an inclusive and compassionate environment where our people share in a sense of belonging and are supported to flourish.

Our values at Berkshire Healthcare are:

• Caring for and about you is our top priority
• Committed to providing good quality, safe services
• Working Together with you to develop innovative solutions

Your wellbeing is important to us. Some of the benefits of working for us include:

• Flexible working options to support work-life balance
• 27 days' annual leave rising with service + opportunity to buy and sell
• Generous NHS pension scheme
• Excellent learning and career development opportunities
• 'Cycle to Work' and car leasing scheme including electric vehicles
• Access to a range of wellbeing tools and services
• Discounts at hundreds of popular retailers and restaurants
• Staff networks for race, diversity, disabilities, the environment and armed forces community to support equality
• Generous maternity, paternity, adoption and special leave
• Free parking across Trust sites