Purchasing Assistant | East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust


Company:	East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust
Salary:	£25,760 - £27,476 Per Annum
Hours:	Full-time
Location:	Preston, PR2 8DY
Job type:	Permanent
Posting date:	12 Nov 2026
Closing date:	12 Dec 2026

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Summary

The One Lancashire and South Cumbria (LSC) Procurement team are seeking applications for a Purchasing Assistant.

To ensure that an effective and efficient procurement service is provided to end users within all Trusts within One LSC.

To process non-stock requisitions in line with the Trust Standing Financial Instructions (SFI’s). To ensure that price queries are kept to a minimum and resolved efficiently.

To update departmental reporting tools to provide key performance indicators and commercial information to ensure that usage trends are quickly spotted.

To assist in the development, implementation, review and maintenance of a specific range of contracts.

Assist with the achievement of departmental service and savings targets.

To act as an ambassador for the department, influence end users’ choice of products and ensure all queries and complaints are dealt with in a professional and positive way.

We are based across two office locations, Preston and Lancaster, and the successful applicant will be expected to work from one of the offices on a regular basis. Candidates should therefore be able to demonstrate a commitment to on-site working.

To process non-stock requisitions, with a high level of accuracy, in line with the Trust Standing Financial Instructions (SFI’s).

Seek to influence customers to use standardised products and cost effective approaches by proactively monitoring and making suggestions.

Research alternative products and help to identify products for purchase rationalisation.

To act as the initial day to day contact point for all purchasing queries raised by Trust departments and external contacts either verbally, via e-mail or telephone.

To keep price queries to a minimum and resolve any issues promptly and efficiently via liaison with Trust departments, Finance and External contacts.

To act as the initial day to day contact point for queries raised by Third Party provider with regard to Maintenance renewals.

To act as the initial day to day contact point for all Trust departments with regard to non-stock orders, stock queries. Resolved via liaison with Materials Management and NHS Supply Chain.

To act as the initial day to day contact point for all Trust departments with regard to the processing of orders, quotes and queries for Capital Equipment, Charitable Funds, Printing.

To act as the central contact point for product returns and administer the stock returns process on behalf of the Trust.

Where circumstances dictate, to action MDA Alerts via checking of historical purchases and assisting Departments across the Trust.

Created in November 2024 the One LSC Procurement team provides strategic procurement, commercial, logistics and supply chain services to the Trust Partners - Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust, Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust and Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust.

The organisation is a shared service model, hosted by East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust.

To read more information about the advertised role, and the main job duties/responsibilities please open the Job Description and Person Specification located under the supporting documents heading. You can also read more information about East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust by visiting our websitehttps://elht.nhs.uk/

This advert closes on Thursday 26 Nov 2026

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