Job overview
The One Lancashire and South Cumbria (LSC) Procurement team are seeking applications for a Lead Buyer to be flexible and work across all One LSC sites.
The Procurement & Supplies Team is embarking on an exciting period of change as we start our journey to become a single procurement department across the Lancashire and South Cumbria Region. The five Trusts are currently served by three Procurement Teams who are coming together and forming One LSC Procurement. The team will provide services to:
- Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust,
- Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust,
- East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust plus Atlas BFW Management Ltd (a wholly owned subsidiary of Blackpool Teaching Hospitals).
- University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust
- North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust.
- Lancashire & South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust
The Lead Buyer role is required within the Clinical / Non Clinical Teams, working with key stakeholders including clinicians, nursing colleagues, estates and facilities, Corporate and IT, to lead a range of procurement projects. The role briefly consists of leading on self-identified and allocated projects under the direction of the Senior Procurement Manager, delivering against agreed timescales and outcomes for the specified areas across all or some of the Trust’s within the scope of the Integrated Procurement Team.
Main duties of the job
- Lead a range of clinical and non clinical procurement projects including planning and selection strategies; tendering and commercial dialogue. Involving close engagement with staff, including clinicians, nursing colleagues, finance, estates and facilities, Corporate and IT and external stakeholders to achieve a cost effective procurement of materials and/or services.
- Plan, negotiate and deliver a cost reduction work plan for materials and/or services, working closely with clinical staff including senior managers and external stakeholders without compromising quality of service.
- Assess and advise financial implications of contract awards to all stakeholders, reporting formally on the implications of supplier, service and product changes. Influence key internal stakeholders to accept any recommended product/service changes or if no agreement, escalate to the relevant senior team member.
- Provide professional advice to Trust staff including senior managers in respect of the procurement process, including Public Procurement Legislation, UK Law, Trust Standing Financial Instructions and NHS Procurement Guidance.
- Responsible for the tendering of complex and high value contracts typically from £100k to in excess of 5 million for services and materials, ensuring value for money and statutory procurement requirements are adhered to and achieving project sign off for all procurement decisions.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
For the right candidate, there are opportunities to align base location to any of our main hub sites including Blackpool, Lancaster, Blackburn, Preston and across South Cumbria
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 website https://elht.nhs.uk/
Person specification
Experience
Essential
- Substantial experience within a strategic Procurement environment at a Lead/Senior Buyer level
- Experience of leading and negotiating high value complex procurement projects
- Current up to date understanding of public procurement directives and legislation
- Current up to date understanding of contract law
- Knowledge and experience of tender process, producing specifications and tender documentation in accordance with customer/client requirements
Desirable
- NHS or public sector background in Procurement
- Knowledge & experience of procurement within NHS Clinical environment
Personal Qualities
Essential
- Confidence to establish positive working relationships with key stakeholders at all levels
- Able to influence, be assertive with tact & diplomacy
- Happy to have a 'blended' approach to work, being able to work from home whilst also being able to work from/attend any site location depending upon project/operational needs
Education & Qualifications
Essential
- CIPS (Chartered Institute of Purchasing & Supply)
- GCSE A level or equivalent Mathematics & English
- ECDL qualification or equivalent
- Evidence of personal development via completion of Procurement and/or Business/Organisational focussed courses
Desirable
- Degree Level Business Studies or equivalent
Skills, ability & knowledge
Essential
- Ability to analyse complex information, interpret in a clear, comprehensive format
- Strong interpersonal skills and ability to engage with and influence clinical/non-clinical stakeholders at senior level
- Able to work independently and use own initiative with minimal supervision
- Able to work under pressure, planning and prioritising to meet changing demands and timescales
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Applying for this NHS job
This advert is for Lead Divisional Buyer with East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust in Across One LSC sites. It is listed as a Administrative and IT role. The advertised salary is £32073.00 to £39043.00. The contract type is Permanent. The application deadline is 27 Aug 2026.
Before you apply, compare the job description with the person specification and mirror the employer's essential criteria in your supporting information. Use the vacancy title, employer, location, salary, contract type, closing date and posted date (13 Aug 2026) to decide whether this role fits your current NHS job search. If the employer can close applications early, prepare the application before the stated deadline rather than waiting for the final day.
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