• Job Description

  Req#: C9371-25-0419?language=en&page=706&sort=publicationDateDesc

  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

  Details

  Date posted

  07 May 2025

  Pay scheme

  Agenda for change

  Band

  Band 7

  Salary

  £48,270 to £54,931 a year per annum ( Incl of HCAS)

  Contract

  Permanent

  Working pattern

  Full-time

  Reference number

  371-CS264

  Job locations

  Procurement Dept, London House

  London Road

  Bracknell

  RG12 2UT

  
  

  Job description

  Job responsibilities

  The must haves for this role:

  • Public procurement experience (which may be demonstrated by 3-5 years experience or equivalent)

  • Knowledge of public procurement law (including the Provider Selection Regime and Public Procurement Act 2023)

  • Attained or working towards CIPS Level 5 Advanced Diploma in Procurement and Supply or equivalent

  • Track record of managing multiple complex procurement projects and contracts

  For further information about the role, please see attached job description and person specification.

  We strongly encourage you to review how you meet the criteria in the person specification and write about this point-by-point in your supporting statement for the best chance of being shortlisted.

  We are committed to equal opportunities and welcome applications from all sections of the community. Our commitment to inclusion is reflected in our accreditations: Race Equality Matters Silver Trailblazer, Neurodiversity in Business Corporate Member, Disability Confident Leader, Carer Confident Level 2, and the Armed Forces Covenant Gold Award. Reasonable adjustments will be provided to candidates as needed.

  We welcome a conversation about flexibility and any other questions you may have. Please don't hesitate to call Mike Pollard on 07521 950239 or by email on mike.pollard@berkshire.nhs.uk who'll be delighted to help.

  Please note, we may close this role earlier than the advertised closing date, so please submit your application as soon as possible.

  Job description

  Job responsibilities

  The must haves for this role:

  • Public procurement experience (which may be demonstrated by 3-5 years experience or equivalent)

  • Knowledge of public procurement law (including the Provider Selection Regime and Public Procurement Act 2023)

  • Attained or working towards CIPS Level 5 Advanced Diploma in Procurement and Supply or equivalent

  • Track record of managing multiple complex procurement projects and contracts

  For further information about the role, please see attached job description and person specification.

  We strongly encourage you to review how you meet the criteria in the person specification and write about this point-by-point in your supporting statement for the best chance of being shortlisted.

  We are committed to equal opportunities and welcome applications from all sections of the community. Our commitment to inclusion is reflected in our accreditations: Race Equality Matters Silver Trailblazer, Neurodiversity in Business Corporate Member, Disability Confident Leader, Carer Confident Level 2, and the Armed Forces Covenant Gold Award. Reasonable adjustments will be provided to candidates as needed.

  We welcome a conversation about flexibility and any other questions you may have. Please don't hesitate to call Mike Pollard on 07521 950239 or by email on mike.pollard@berkshire.nhs.uk who'll be delighted to help.

  Please note, we may close this role earlier than the advertised closing date, so please submit your application as soon as possible.

  Person Specification

  Education/Qualifications/Training

  Essential

  • CIPS professional diploma qualification (Degree Level)

  Previous Experience

  Essential

  • Experience of large public procurement tenders
  • Contract management
  • Experience of public procurement procedures

  Desirable

  • Experience in the NHS

  Additional Requirements

  Essential

  • Ability to manage high level of workload, multiple complex projects
  • Advanced keyboard skills
  • Ability to Drive

  Person Specification

  Education/Qualifications/Training

  Essential

  • CIPS professional diploma qualification (Degree Level)

  Previous Experience

  Essential

  • Experience of large public procurement tenders
  • Contract management
  • Experience of public procurement procedures

  Desirable

  • Experience in the NHS

  Additional Requirements

  Essential

  • Ability to manage high level of workload, multiple complex projects
  • Advanced keyboard skills
  • Ability to Drive

  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

  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).

  Employer details

  Employer name

  Berkshire Healthcare Foundation Trust

  Address

  Procurement Dept, London House

  London Road

  Bracknell

  RG12 2UT

  
  

  Employer's website

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

  Employer details

  Employer name

  Berkshire Healthcare Foundation Trust

  Address

  Procurement Dept, London House

  London Road

  Bracknell

  RG12 2UT

  
  

  Employer's website

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

• About the company

  National Health Service (NHS) is the umbrella term for the publicly-funded healthcare systems of the United Kingdom (UK). The founding principles were that services should be comprehensive, universal and free at the point of delivery—a health service based on clinical need, not ability to pay. Each service provides a comprehensive range of health services, free at the point of use for people ordinarily resident in the United Kingdom apart from dental treatment and optical care.

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