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Job summary

Main area
Wessex Procurement Ltd
Grade
Band 5
Contract
Permanent
Hours
Full time - 37.5 hours per week
Job ref
188-WPL010726
Employer
Wessex NHS Procurement Limited
Employer type
NHS
Site
Royal South Hants Hospital
Town
Southampton
Salary
£32,073 - £39,043 Per Annum, Pro Rata
Closing
17/08/2026 23:59
Interview date
01/09/2026

Employer heading

Wessex NHS Procurement Limited logo

Assistant Procurement Specialist

Band 5

Job overview

Wessex NHS Procurement Limited is delighted to offer a fantastic opportunity to work with us. 

Please note WPL does not hold a Home Office Workers Licence and therefore unable to offer sponsorship.

Main duties of the job

Attached you will find the person specification document which provides more detail about the essential and desirable skills and experience needed for this role. We highly recommend you review this document and use it when completing your application as these criteria are used by hiring managers as guidance during shortlisting. 

For an overview of the main duties of the role please see the ‘Job Description and Main Responsibilities’ section below. To understand the day-to-day responsibilities in more detail please read the full job description document attached. 

Working for our organisation

At WPL, we play a key role in supporting the NHS in Hampshire, delivering end-to-end procurement and supply chain services for University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust and Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. As a wholly owned subsidiary of both Trusts, WPL offers the opportunity to contribute to the wider NHS family and improve healthcare services across the region.


Our services include strategic sourcing, value creation, tendering, contract management, inventory oversight, distribution, and materials management across Southampton, Basingstoke, Winchester, and Andover. Joining WPL means being part of a dynamic, forward-thinking team, working alongside stakeholders to drive innovation, efficiency, and value.


Employee Benefits:
•    Generous NHS pension scheme
•    NHS terms of service and annual leave
•    Access to an employee benefits platform offering discounts on groceries, high street shopping, family outings, holidays, and more


For more information, visit: www.wessexprocurement.nhs.uk


Southampton offers an excellent quality of life, located on the south coast with an international airport and direct train links to London. The area boasts the stunning New Forest National Park, beautiful beaches along the Jurassic Coast, and living costs around 20% lower than London. With 14 Ofsted-rated “Outstanding” schools, it’s a great place to live and work.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Your Main Responsibilities:

  • To work as a member of the procurement team participating in the development and implementation of customers’ procurement strategies by ensuring it is communicated, understood and supported by budget managers and clinicians, so achieving the department’s objectives and ensuring commercial arrangements are optimised

  • Supported review and development of selected areas of non-pay spend and the planning, design and implementation of best value-for-money contracts and most cost-effective internal logistics arrangements. Aligning all tasks with WPL Strategy

  • Assist with the commercial management of procurement process with responsibility for a defined selection of projects, working directly with the managers, budget managers, clinicians and finance staff

  • Support procurement processes by identifying and evaluating best value for money

  • Negotiate with suppliers and stakeholder(s) to ensure compliant and resilient route to market

  • Engage and contribute to the successful performance of the organisation

  • Deliver excellent levels of customer service, respond to queries and complaints promptly. Liaise with Stakeholders to resolve the matter

  • Communicate with clinical, management and end users listening to stakeholders feedback and reporting any impacts to the team while using your operational networks to raise the profile of the Wessex NHS Procurement Limited team and its value

  • Support the procurement team culture of collaborative, flexible cross-team working and commitment to delivering quality services and outcomes, which maintain the Government’s policies on public health

  • Comply with corporate governance structure in keeping with the principles and standards set out by the parent organisation(s)

Build Collaborative Relationships:

  • Proactively and positively contribute to delivery of targets through individual and team effort. Manage the progress towards the required targets and control risks

  • Support team members to deliver on their objectives through offering advice, guidance and support as appropriate

  • Delivery of procurement work to specification on time and within budget. 

  • Assist Procurement Managers and procurement specialists to write and implement tender procedures and policies

  • Establish effective communications with internal and external customers, facilitate discussions and field questions listening to concerns and objectives from all

  • Strategic Purchasing & Supply Chain activity

  • Create opportunities to leverage suppliers by driving proactive and collaborative monitoring of contracts

  • Develop knowledge & skills within the team through documenting key learnings.

  • Achieve continuous improvement of procurement practice through effective record keeping and summarising lessons learned.

  • Form working partnerships with external organisations, neighbouring Trusts and key stakeholders and across sectors

  • Support and maintain the development of the single Wessex NHS Procurement Limited catalogue management strategy

Person specification

Qualifications / training required

Essential criteria
  • Degree level qualification in a business, purchasing, supply or similar subject OR studying towards CIPS qualification OR demonstrate suitable experience in similar role
Desirable criteria
  • Understanding of contract law, UK Procurement processes/law, Corporate Governance
  • Member of CIPS or equivalent

Previous or relevant experience necessary

Essential criteria
  • Experience of identifying and evaluating value for money
  • Experience of fast paced problem solving both remotely and in person and ability to impart information succinctly and concisely.
  • Supply chain problem solving and negotiation experience
  • Experience in achieving objectives whilst maintaining good relationships with customers or stakeholders
Desirable criteria
  • Clinical/NHS Market and supplier / product knowledge including Procedures and catalogue management
  • Track record of delivering savings or enhanced value for money
  • Training and mentoring experience
  • Experience of working as part of a team

Values and behaviours

Essential criteria
  • Agile, Supportive, Trusted, Engaged & Responsive

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Documents to download

Apply online now

Further details / informal visits contact

Name
Sam Morant
Job title
Procurement Manager
Email address
[email protected]
Telephone number
07586526724
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