Senior Buyer

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Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Please see attached job description and person specification for full outline of roles and responsibilities. Please ensure you meet all the essential criteria as your application will be shortlisted against this.

Staff benefits

• Pay Enhancements - 30% additional for Evenings (8pm onwards) and Saturdays and 60% additional for Sundays and Bank holidays.
• 27 days annual leave plus bank holidays rising to 29 after 5 years and 33 days after 10 years
• Excellent pension
• Cycle to work scheme
• Salary sacrifice car scheme
• Wellbeing programme
• Blue Light Card Discounts

Person specification

Experience

Essential criteria

• Experience of procurement processes including undertaking competitive exercises
• Experience of working with a range of stakeholders at all levels from different organisations
• Experience co-ordinating the production of documentation required for the procurement process in liaison with other parties
• Relationship Management: Extensive experience in developing/building effective working relationships with proven ability to manage conflict resolution; engage
• Teamwork: Extensive experience supporting and being a team member

Desirable criteria

• Experience of managing complex projects
• Experience in negotiating with other parties.
• Experience being responsible for procurement information systems
• Demonstrable success in managing change projects involving stakeholders
• Experience of developing and delivering training.
• Experience of service redesign, preferably within NHS

Knowledge

Essential criteria

• The post holder should: Knowledge of Procurement and be able to demonstrate the latest knowledge of Procurement Legislation
• Understanding of the current issues impacting on the NHS in particular knowledge and understanding of the commercial health care landscape
• Advanced IT skills and advanced working knowledge and computer proficiency of all Microsoft Office packages (e.g. word processing, spreadsheets, e-mail and internet

Desirable criteria

• Knowledge of Central Commercial function initiatives.

Skills and Abilities

Essential criteria

• Data analysis and interpretation skills involving highly complex data, with outstanding problem solving skills
• Interpersonal skills to communicate highly complex information succinctly and in difficult environments and highly sensitive issues in an organised and appropriate manner both verbally and in writing at all levels: Ability to write clear reports appropriate for different audiences
• Problem solving and forward thinking. With an innovative and creative approach to problem solving; being assertive and influencing in negotiation
• Confident, strategic thinker. Being forward looking, having a flexible and adaptable approach, maintaining a positive attitude and being solution focussed to deliver timely standards of work under challenging deadlines, conflicting demands and pressures
• Excellent level of planning and organisational skills with a strong work ethic and being able to solve complex challenges. Well-developed concentration skills and ability to prioritise/remain focused when workload is heavy and/or unpredictable;

Desirable criteria

• The ability to effectively lead, manage, and develop junior procurement professionals.

Education / Qualifications

Essential criteria

• Evidence of continuing professional development through attendance of relevant courses.

Desirable criteria

• Full Member of the Chartered Institute of Purchase and Supply, MCIPS accredited or actively working towards it

Important Information about working for GMMH:

All positions within the Trust are subject to satisfactory pre-employment checks, for further information on the checks required please visit the NHS Employers website www.nhsemployers.org

The Trust mandates all post holders who require a DBS for their role to subscribe to the DBS Update Service. You will be required to enrol for this service for a fee of £16 per year and maintain registration throughout your employment with GMMH.

Applicants are encouraged to apply for posts at Greater Manchester Mental Health who have direct experience of mental health, learning disability or drug and alcohol services either as a service user or a carer.

The Trust is also committed to safeguarding children, young people and vulnerable adults and requires all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

We are aspiring to ensure our workforce is representative of the diverse communities that we serve, and we are strongly committed to removing barriers to employment for candidates from under-represented groups, for example BAME, Disabled and LGBT+ communities. If you would like to have an informal chat about the recruitment process for this role or would value some additional support, we'd love to hear from you.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) when writing job applications

A candidate may utilise the help of AI when writing job application. The assessment of an application is made on its entirety and most times AI-generated content does not fully grasp the context and requirements of the job one applies for thus producing inaccurate and misleading information, especially in the supporting statement section of an application that can lack real life examples of one's achievements, success and challenges.

We have added a disclaimer to our application process advising that the use of AI is monitored. GMMH reserves the right to follow up with a candidate at the interview on specific responses and those examples used in the supporting statement to explore it further.

Sponsorship

We are proud to be an approved sponsor for the Skilled Worker visa. Applications from individuals who require sponsorship will be considered alongside all other applications. Please be aware that not all roles are eligible for sponsorship. You can review the list of eligible roles and salary requirements on the UK Government's website - click here.

If you are offered a role with us and you require sponsorship, we will check your eligibility in line with the information on the above website. Your offer of employment could be withdrawn if the role is not eligible for sponsorship, and you are not otherwise able to evidence your right to work in the UK.

The Home Office introduces new changes from 22/07/2025 that impact the health and care sector, you may wish to familiarise with it here.

Do you have experience outside the NHS?

We want to attract and retain people with diverse skills and experience, to deliver inclusive healthcare services to our communities.

We will consider relevant experience outside the NHS to calculate your salary on appointment. Please contact our Recruitment Team for more information.

**Please note, this vacancy may be closed at any time if sufficient applications have been received**

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Documents to download

• Job Description & Person Specification (PDF, 384.4KB)
• Important Candidate information (PDF, 2.5MB)