Job summary An exciting opportunity has arisen for a permanent Purchasing Assistant to join The University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust North Midlands. The North Midlands and Black Country Procurement Group is responsible for the Strategic and Operational Procurement for UHNM (Royal Stoke University Hospital, County Hospital, Royal Wolverhampton Trust and Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust) and 36 partner NHS organisations within the Staffordshire, Shropshire, Cheshire, Herefordshire, Worcestershire and Lancashire Health Economies. Main duties of the job The North Midlands and Black Country Procurement Group is responsible for the management and control of expenditure in excess of £330 million across the local health economy. The Supplies and Procurement function consists of: Strategic Procurement Operational Procurement including warehousing and stock management services Capital Procurement Systems Services (e.g. Purchase to Pay Systems) About us University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust is one of the largest and most modern in the country. Based across two sites, Royal Stoke in Stoke-on-Trent and County Hospital in Stafford, we are proud to serve around three million people and we're highly regarded for our facilities, teaching and research. We are the specialist centre for major trauma for the North Midlands and North Wales. All of our employees make a valuable contribution regardless of role here at UHNM and we are proud of our wide range of development packages aimed at ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to fulfil their true potential. UHNM create and encourage a culture of inclusion, providing equal opportunities for career development that are fair and transparent. We are committed to being a diverse and inclusive employer and foster a culture in which all staff feel valued and respected. In return we ask all of our employees to make a commitment to the values, co-created by or staff, patients and carers, and that unite us as a Trust. At University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust we know that investing in, supporting and developing our staff has a direct impact on the quality of care that we deliver. Our employees are as important as our patients and the population that we serve. Date posted 24 January 2025 Pay scheme Agenda for change Band Band 3 Salary £24,071 to £25,674 a year per annum Contract Permanent Working pattern Full-time, Flexible working Reference number 205-6917440 Job locations Royal Stoke Hospital Newcastle Road Stoke-on-Trent ST4 6QG Job description Job responsibilities For more information on working for the Trust, please see the attached Job Description and Person Specification. The role can be based at The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust. There will be a requirement for the post holder to travel between all sites within the NMBC. This includes County Hospital Stafford, Royal Wolverhampton (RWT), Walsall Hospital Trust (WHT) and Royal Stoke University Hospital (UHNM). Job description Job responsibilities For more information on working for the Trust, please see the attached Job Description and Person Specification. The role can be based at The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust. There will be a requirement for the post holder to travel between all sites within the NMBC. This includes County Hospital Stafford, Royal Wolverhampton (RWT), Walsall Hospital Trust (WHT) and Royal Stoke University Hospital (UHNM). Person Specification Qualifications Essential Possess, studying or willing to study to CIPS (Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply) Level 4 (Foundation Diploma in Purchasing and Supply) or equivalent qualification. Desirable ECDL or similar qualification or equivalent level of experience/knowledge to competently use Microsoft Office systems including Word, Excel and Outlook. Experience/Skills Essential Ability to undertake order processing and buying duties associated with the post. Ability to use computerised purchasing systems effectively. Ability to assess customer requirements. Ability to handle queries/complaints effectively. Ability to plan, co-ordinate and manage workload and to establish priorities. Good organisational skills. Ability to meet timescales. Customer friendly approach. Enthusiastic/ Positive/Self-motivated. Desirable Ability to interpret, summarise and analyse competitive offers. Communication Skills Essential Good interpersonal and communication skills. Good standard of written and verbal English. Ability to provide high level of customer service and to promote a positive image. Ability to work as an effective team member. Desirable Ability to explain/introduce purchasing policies, products and processes to other Departments. Ability to interface with all levels of staff including Senior Managers. Good Negotiator. Flexibility Essential Flexible approach to work/adaptable. Other Essential Ability to work under pressure. Ability to use and work on own initiative. Good attendance record. Smart appearance. Person Specification Qualifications Essential Possess, studying or willing to study to CIPS (Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply) Level 4 (Foundation Diploma in Purchasing and Supply) or equivalent qualification. Desirable ECDL or similar qualification or equivalent level of experience/knowledge to competently use Microsoft Office systems including Word, Excel and Outlook. Experience/Skills Essential Ability to undertake order processing and buying duties associated with the post. Ability to use computerised purchasing systems effectively. Ability to assess customer requirements. Ability to handle queries/complaints effectively. Ability to plan, co-ordinate and manage workload and to establish priorities. Good organisational skills. Ability to meet timescales. Customer friendly approach. Enthusiastic/ Positive/Self-motivated. Desirable Ability to interpret, summarise and analyse competitive offers. Communication Skills Essential Good interpersonal and communication skills. Good standard of written and verbal English. Ability to provide high level of customer service and to promote a positive image. Ability to work as an effective team member. Desirable Ability to explain/introduce purchasing policies, products and processes to other Departments. Ability to interface with all levels of staff including Senior Managers. Good Negotiator. Flexibility Essential Flexible approach to work/adaptable. Other Essential Ability to work under pressure. Ability to use and work on own initiative. Good attendance record. Smart appearance. 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 University Hospital of North Midlands NHS Trust Address Royal Stoke Hospital Newcastle Road Stoke-on-Trent ST4 6QG Employer's website https://www.uhnm.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)