Senior Buyer

The One Lancashire and South Cumbria (LSC) Procurement team is seeking applications for a Senior Buyer. This is an exciting opportunity to join a dynamic team during a period of transformation as we move toward becoming a single, integrated procurement department serving the NHS across Lancashire and South Cumbria as a shared service provider.

We welcome applications from both the private and public sectors. Successful candidates will bring energy, innovation, and a strong customer focus to the role. Training and support will be provided to ensure success.

The role will involve engaging with colleagues and our customers across Lancashire and South Cumbria and so a willingness to travel to varied locations and sites is a must. For the right candidate, there are opportunities to align base location to any of our main hub sites including Blackpool, Lancaster, Blackburn, Preston and across South Cumbria.

If you have the skills and motivation to take on this challenging and rewarding role and would like an informal discussion, please contact the Head of Service - Procurement.

An induction pack and staff handbook are available on request to support your application and transition into the NHS and One LSC Procurement specifically.

The focus will be on supporting customers to deliver value for money on projects while ensuring legal compliance. As a Senior Buyer, you will:

• Work within the Procurement team to deliver the procurement strategy and achieve service objectives, including:
  • Savings and efficiency targets
  • Compliance with procurement regulations
  • Excellent customer service
• Collaborate with stakeholders at all levels to present the procurement function as a progressive and responsive team that drives innovation and system improvement.
• Lead strategic procurement projects, ensuring value for money and promoting an integrated approach.
• Provide professional advice on procurement processes, including compliance with UK law and regulations such as Public Contract Regulations 2015, Procurement Act 2023 as well as the Provider Selection Regime.

Established in November 2024, One Lancashire and South Cumbria is a shared service entity providing corporate services including Finance, Human Resources, Digital, Estates and Procurement services.

We provide strategic procurement, commercial, logistics, and supply chain services to partner Trusts:

• East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust
• Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
• University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust
• Lancashire & South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust
• Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
• Atlas BFW Management Ltd (a wholly owned subsidiary of Blackpool Teaching Hospitals)
• North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust

One LSC Procurement operates as a shared service model, hosted by East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust, with three distinct service lines:

• Procurement
• Systems & e-Commerce
• Logistics and Supply Chain

Reporting to the Procurement Manager, you will:

• Develop and deliver an annual work plan aligned with savings and efficiency targets.
• Provide commercial advice and guidance on procurement strategy to your team, colleagues and Trust stakeholders.
• Ensure compliance with Trust Standing Financial Instructions, Procurement Policies and NHS Guidance, Best Practice and wider legislation.
• Mentoring and Supporting Lead Buyers and Buyers to develop procurement skills and offer procurement advice.
• Review and develop non-pay spend strategies to achieve best value.
• Lead high-value, complex, and strategic procurement projects.
• Work closely with collaborative partners such as NHS Supply Chain, Crown Commercial Services, and Category Tower Service Providers.
• Drive improvements in procurement performance using Model Hospital metrics
  .

• Mathematics and English Language - GCSE Grade C/4 or equivalent.
• Degree or diploma level graduate (CIPS or procurement related) or equivalent relevant experience.
• Good knowledge of professional purchasing principles and commercial acumen.
• Vocational courses appropriate to the post.
• Willingness to undertake further appropriate study.