What are the responsibilities and job description for the Buyer position at Freeman Hospital?
Employer heading
Buyer
Band 3
Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is one of the busiest and largest NHS foundation trusts in the country, with around 15,000 staff and an annual budget of £1.6 billion.
We have a long history of providing high quality care, clinical excellence, and innovation in medical research regionally, nationally and internationally.
We’re in the top five providers of specialised health services in the country, supporting people with a range of rare and complex medical, surgical and neurological conditions, cancers and genetic orders.
Our staff oversee around 6,500 patient contacts each day, delivering high standards of healthcare.
We are committed to promoting equality and diversity and recognise the benefit in providing an inclusive environment. We value and respect the diversity of our employees and aim to recruit a workforce which reflects the communities we serve, and is equipped to deliver the best service to our patients. We welcome all applications irrespective of people’s race, disability, sex, sexual orientation, religion or belief, age, gender identity, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity and in particular those from under- represented groups.
Newcastle Hospitals are proud to be one of the exemplar organisations across the NHS on sustainability, with a long history of delivering Sustainable Healthcare in Newcastle (Shine) and the first healthcare organisation in the world to declare a climate emergency. Our strategy includes commitments to being Net Zero by 2030, for our direct carbon footprint, and Net Zero by 2040 for our footprint plus. Delivering these ambitions will not be possible without the help, support and action of every single member of our team.
Job Overview
The Procurement & Supplies Directorate is looking for a self-motivated, energetic and highly organised individual, to join our buying team.
As well as having effective organisational, communication and interpersonal skills it is essential that the applicant has a flexible approach to working and can work as part of a team. In return we offer flexible working times around core service hours with some time off in lieu and can facilitate some hybrid working upon completion of the probationary period.
Whilst previous purchasing experience is desirable, good customer service skills are essential and it is essential that the candidate is computer literate (ECDL or equivalent) and has good numeracy and literacy skills.
As well as having effective organisational, communication and interpersonal skills it is essential that the applicant has a flexible approach to working and can work as part of a team.
Main duties of the job
Responsible for the order processing and customer service activity for all goods and services (with the exclusion of pharmaceutical products) pertaining to the Trust's 8 Clinical Boards/Corporate Services utilising the Trust's Oracle Cloud Procurement and Finance system.
Working for our organisation
Our staff oversee over 6,500 patient contacts every day, delivering high standards of healthcare from the following sites:
We also have offices at Regent Point in Gosforth and community sites.
Please see attached information on what Staff Benefits we have to offer at our Trust under ‘Documents to download’ or ‘Supporting documents’.
For further information on The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust please visit: Careers | Newcastle Hospitals | NHS | Newcastle Hospitals and Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Detailed Job Description And Main Responsibilities
Please note it is a requirement of The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust that all successful candidates who require a DBS for the post they have been offered pay for their DBS certificate. The method of payment is a salary deduction from your first month’s pay.
Person specification
Qualifications & Education
Essential criteria
Essential criteria
Essential criteria
All references from current and previous employers will be sought and must cover a minimum of 3 years employment. Therefore, when completing the reference section of your application form, please give the address, telephone number and work email address of each of your current/previous line managers that cover 3 years employment. Failure to complete this section may result in your application not being processed.
Please note it is a requirement of The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust that all successful candidates who require a DBS for the post they have been offered pay for their DBS certificate. The method of payment is a salary deduction from your first month’s pay.
Candidates who are shortlisted for interview will be contacted by e-mail. You should check your SPAM folders as well as your inbox. If you have not been contacted within 4 weeks of the closing date you should assume your application has been unsuccessful.
Employer certification / accreditation badges
Documents to download
Further details / informal visits contact
Name Lorraine Lowrie Job title Purchasing Manager Email address lorraine.lowrie@nhs.net Telephone number 01912137809
Buyer
Band 3
Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is one of the busiest and largest NHS foundation trusts in the country, with around 15,000 staff and an annual budget of £1.6 billion.
We have a long history of providing high quality care, clinical excellence, and innovation in medical research regionally, nationally and internationally.
We’re in the top five providers of specialised health services in the country, supporting people with a range of rare and complex medical, surgical and neurological conditions, cancers and genetic orders.
Our staff oversee around 6,500 patient contacts each day, delivering high standards of healthcare.
We are committed to promoting equality and diversity and recognise the benefit in providing an inclusive environment. We value and respect the diversity of our employees and aim to recruit a workforce which reflects the communities we serve, and is equipped to deliver the best service to our patients. We welcome all applications irrespective of people’s race, disability, sex, sexual orientation, religion or belief, age, gender identity, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity and in particular those from under- represented groups.
Newcastle Hospitals are proud to be one of the exemplar organisations across the NHS on sustainability, with a long history of delivering Sustainable Healthcare in Newcastle (Shine) and the first healthcare organisation in the world to declare a climate emergency. Our strategy includes commitments to being Net Zero by 2030, for our direct carbon footprint, and Net Zero by 2040 for our footprint plus. Delivering these ambitions will not be possible without the help, support and action of every single member of our team.
Job Overview
The Procurement & Supplies Directorate is looking for a self-motivated, energetic and highly organised individual, to join our buying team.
As well as having effective organisational, communication and interpersonal skills it is essential that the applicant has a flexible approach to working and can work as part of a team. In return we offer flexible working times around core service hours with some time off in lieu and can facilitate some hybrid working upon completion of the probationary period.
Whilst previous purchasing experience is desirable, good customer service skills are essential and it is essential that the candidate is computer literate (ECDL or equivalent) and has good numeracy and literacy skills.
As well as having effective organisational, communication and interpersonal skills it is essential that the applicant has a flexible approach to working and can work as part of a team.
- Interview date: 30 June 2025
- 37 Hours 30 Minutes /week
- You will be redirected to Trac to apply for the vacancy. Please expand the job details section and read all of the information before applying for the vacancy.
Main duties of the job
Responsible for the order processing and customer service activity for all goods and services (with the exclusion of pharmaceutical products) pertaining to the Trust's 8 Clinical Boards/Corporate Services utilising the Trust's Oracle Cloud Procurement and Finance system.
Working for our organisation
Our staff oversee over 6,500 patient contacts every day, delivering high standards of healthcare from the following sites:
- Freeman Hospital
- Royal Victoria Infirmary (RVI)
- Health Innovation Neighbourhood (on the former Newcastle General Hospital and Centre for Ageing and Vitality site)
- Newcastle Dental Hospital
- Newcastle Fertility Centre
- Northern Centre for Cancer Care, North Cumbria
- Northern Genetics Service
- Cramlington Manor Walks
We also have offices at Regent Point in Gosforth and community sites.
Please see attached information on what Staff Benefits we have to offer at our Trust under ‘Documents to download’ or ‘Supporting documents’.
For further information on The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust please visit: Careers | Newcastle Hospitals | NHS | Newcastle Hospitals and Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Detailed Job Description And Main Responsibilities
- Be part of the purchasing team, supervised by a Team Leader which will be responsible for the order processing and customer service activity for all the Trust’s requirements except for pharmaceutical goods.
- Ensure that ‘requisitioned to order’ lead times are adhered to
- Ensure that goods/services ordered are progressed and delivered to the requisitioning department in a timely manner
- Ensure that invoice queries relating to orders placed are resolved satisfactorily within set target time
- Ensure effective communications with requisitioning departments
- Ensure that the procurement process is compliant with the Trust’s Corporate Governance
Please note it is a requirement of The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust that all successful candidates who require a DBS for the post they have been offered pay for their DBS certificate. The method of payment is a salary deduction from your first month’s pay.
Person specification
Qualifications & Education
Essential criteria
- 5 GCSEs (or equivalent), including English and Maths at Level 2 (GCSE 9-4 or A*-C, or Functional/Key Skills at Level 2) or equivalent experience
- European computer driving licence qualification or Microsoft Office Specialist
Essential criteria
- Experience of working in a team
- Prepared to undertake necessary training (continuous development) commensurate with the requirements of the job
- Previous purchasing experience
Essential criteria
- Good keyboard skills with experience of MS Office Suite including Word and Excel
- Good customer service skills
- Good numeric and literacy skills
- Good communication and organisational skills
All references from current and previous employers will be sought and must cover a minimum of 3 years employment. Therefore, when completing the reference section of your application form, please give the address, telephone number and work email address of each of your current/previous line managers that cover 3 years employment. Failure to complete this section may result in your application not being processed.
Please note it is a requirement of The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust that all successful candidates who require a DBS for the post they have been offered pay for their DBS certificate. The method of payment is a salary deduction from your first month’s pay.
Candidates who are shortlisted for interview will be contacted by e-mail. You should check your SPAM folders as well as your inbox. If you have not been contacted within 4 weeks of the closing date you should assume your application has been unsuccessful.
Employer certification / accreditation badges
Documents to download
- JD & Person Spec (PDF, 130.3KB)
- Newcastle Staff Benefits (PDF, 274.4KB)
- Behaviour and Civility Charter (PDF, 93.8KB)
Further details / informal visits contact
Name Lorraine Lowrie Job title Purchasing Manager Email address lorraine.lowrie@nhs.net Telephone number 01912137809
Buyer/Planner
Reyco Granning -
Mount Vernon, MO
