Derbyshire Community Health Services NHSFT

Purchasing Buyer

The closing date is 25 November 2025

Job summary

The Procurement Department is looking for a customer-focused, methodical, enthusiastic buyer with good communication and negotiation skills to join our small friendly team.

This position involves working with all services across the trust to procure goods and services at the best value for money so delivering a trusted and compliant procurement service.

The successful applicant will work as part of the busy operational purchasing team and will be required to be involved in the day to day purchasing and supply needs of the Trust, ensuring that critical supplies of medical and related goods are purchased in a timely manner and to the rigorous standards of the NHS. This is a crucial role and one which requires the successful candidate to have a determined approach to their work, balancing cost and quality issues. The overriding aim is to guarantee the needs of our wards, services and departments are always delivered on time, to maintain patient care. The Procurement Department also takes a leading role in identifying and reporting on cost improvements and the activity of the Buyer is central to this process.

** Please note this vacancy is only open to candidates that are currently employed by JUCD employers.**

Main duties of the job

Overarching duties will be the purchasing of goods and services utilising the Unit 4 (Agresso) Purchase to Pay eProcurement system whilst seeking opportunities to save money or add value. You will deal with queries and requests for information on a daily basis and will need to build and maintain sound customer and supplier relationships.

About us

Our purpose is to provide community health services to a patient population of over one million people in Derbyshire and Derby, as part of Joined Up Care Derbyshire.

We employ around 4,200 substantive staff, caring for patients in 11 community hospitals and more than 30 health centres, as well as in clinics, GP practices, schools, care homes and, increasingly, in people's own homes and via virtual consultations.

During the pandemic response we have led the implementation of public vaccination centres in collaboration with partners across health and social care.

Details

Date posted

11 November 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 3

Salary

£24,937 to £26,598 a year per annum, pro rata

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

12 months

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

842-FIN-6141-25

Job locations

Walton Hospital

Whitecotes Lane

Chesterfield

S40 3HW


Job description

Job responsibilities

Strategy and Service Development

Undertake the purchase of goods and services including call-off supply arrangements in accordance with agreed standards and targets

Place orders in such a manner as to ensure proper delivery receipting and payment

Deal with queries and requests for information to provide a full and extensive response/resolution

Be aware of and ensure adherence to trust purchasing policies and external regulatory requirements as appropriate to the product area covered

Build and maintain sound customer and supplier relationships

Develop and maintain a sound knowledge of delegated product areas

Expedite orders on behalf of customers in accordance with agreed protocols

Develop and maintain a sound working knowledge of regulatory and legal issues commensurate with the job role

Undertake official quotations for low value contracts and orders in accordance with SFIs where appropriate

Provide advice and guidance to customers on all procurement related issues

Adhere to the Trusts Procurement Strategy and Policy and actively participate in the delivery of the Procurement Plan

Carry out robust and timely supplier and contract management for key purchasing suppliers

Act on Unit 4 workflow tasks in a timely and responsive manner to resolve issues

Identify repeat products and following a full value for money exercise, put forward for consideration as a catalogue product

Monitor purchasing trends

Liaise with end-users at all levels to ensure compliance in the use of standardised products and catalogues

Research and streamline the supplier and product base so the Trust can benefit from greater purchasing leverage

To attend any relevant training as requested

To act as an ambassador for the Procurement team and promote benefits to customers

Any other duties commensurate with the grade of the post

Job description

Job responsibilities

Strategy and Service Development

Undertake the purchase of goods and services including call-off supply arrangements in accordance with agreed standards and targets

Place orders in such a manner as to ensure proper delivery receipting and payment

Deal with queries and requests for information to provide a full and extensive response/resolution

Be aware of and ensure adherence to trust purchasing policies and external regulatory requirements as appropriate to the product area covered

Build and maintain sound customer and supplier relationships

Develop and maintain a sound knowledge of delegated product areas

Expedite orders on behalf of customers in accordance with agreed protocols

Develop and maintain a sound working knowledge of regulatory and legal issues commensurate with the job role

Undertake official quotations for low value contracts and orders in accordance with SFIs where appropriate

Provide advice and guidance to customers on all procurement related issues

Adhere to the Trusts Procurement Strategy and Policy and actively participate in the delivery of the Procurement Plan

Carry out robust and timely supplier and contract management for key purchasing suppliers

Act on Unit 4 workflow tasks in a timely and responsive manner to resolve issues

Identify repeat products and following a full value for money exercise, put forward for consideration as a catalogue product

Monitor purchasing trends

Liaise with end-users at all levels to ensure compliance in the use of standardised products and catalogues

Research and streamline the supplier and product base so the Trust can benefit from greater purchasing leverage

To attend any relevant training as requested

To act as an ambassador for the Procurement team and promote benefits to customers

Any other duties commensurate with the grade of the post

Person Specification

Education, Qualifications and Training

Essential

  • oGCSE Grade C English and Mathematics or equivalent
  • oWillingness to undertake further appropriate study

Desirable

  • oChartered Institute of Procurement and Supply's Advanced Certificate in Procurement and Supply Operations

Experience and Knowledge Required

Essential

  • Purchasing/contracting experience.
  • Experience of a fully integrated P2P system and use of the Internet.
  • Confidence to liaise and discuss with end users their choice of product and specification to secure best value for money including a challenge on essential spend
  • Are you currently employed by JUCD employer

Desirable

  • oPrevious NHS experience
Person Specification

Education, Qualifications and Training

Essential

  • oGCSE Grade C English and Mathematics or equivalent
  • oWillingness to undertake further appropriate study

Desirable

  • oChartered Institute of Procurement and Supply's Advanced Certificate in Procurement and Supply Operations

Experience and Knowledge Required

Essential

  • Purchasing/contracting experience.
  • Experience of a fully integrated P2P system and use of the Internet.
  • Confidence to liaise and discuss with end users their choice of product and specification to secure best value for money including a challenge on essential spend
  • Are you currently employed by JUCD employer

Desirable

  • oPrevious NHS experience

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

Derbyshire Community Health Services NHSFT

Address

Walton Hospital

Whitecotes Lane

Chesterfield

S40 3HW


Employer's website

http://www.dchs.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Derbyshire Community Health Services NHSFT

Address

Walton Hospital

Whitecotes Lane

Chesterfield

S40 3HW


Employer's website

http://www.dchs.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Purchasing and Systems Team Leader

Sarah Adshead

sarah.adshead@nhs.net

07557294011

Details

Date posted

11 November 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 3

Salary

£24,937 to £26,598 a year per annum, pro rata

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

12 months

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

842-FIN-6141-25

Job locations

Walton Hospital

Whitecotes Lane

Chesterfield

S40 3HW


Supporting documents

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