Assistant Buyer
At a glance
- Band
- Band 3
- Contract
- Permanent
- Pattern
- Full-time, Part-time
- Posted
- 22/09/2026
- Closes
- 06/10/2026
Sponsorship verdict
Candidates needing sponsorship are encouraged to apply.
HiveMind found a sponsorship-friendly statement in the source advert welcoming applicants who require a visa. Always confirm on the source before applying.
“Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications.”Quoted verbatim from the source advert
Role summary
This Assistant Buyer role involves managing specific strategic sourcing programmes and procurement portfolios for the Trust, ensuring compliance with financial instructions and legislation. The post holder will handle categories of relatively low value spend and provide clerical and administrative support to the Procurement Department. Key duties include processing orders and requisitions while adhering to deadlines and financial guidelines.
Essential criteria
- Proven track record in performance of delivery against tight deadlines with the ability to work objectively and ethically when under pressure
- Good communication (verbal and written) and presentation skills at all levels, internal and external to the Trust, of highly complex and sensitive financial and technical information.
- Ability to analyse and interpret highly complex, sensitive and/or contentious information.
- Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to challenge the status quo in order to improve value.
- Numerate with good computer skills in Microsoft Word, PowerPoint and Excel, and experience of Purchase Order systems
- Ability to problem solve under pressure and provide accurate Procurement at all levels.
- Ability to contribute towards team building, coaching and motivating non-Finance staff, listening to and acknowledging the contribution from others.
- Personal Qualities, Abilities and Attributes
- Professional approach with an ability to focus on customer service and quality orientation.
- Ability to work well under pressure, effectively planning and prioritising own workload.
- Ability to work at both strategic and tactical levels, achieving deadlines and delivering whilst working on a number of projects simultaneously.
- Ability to manage internal and external relationships with sensitivity and diplomacy.
- Able to develop successful relationships with internal colleagues and departments as well as externally with a wide range of stakeholders, and work with individuals and groups from a range of backgrounds, being immediately credible to internal and external stakeholders.
- Excellent telephone manner
Desirable criteria
- Ability to act in an entrepreneurial and innovative manner, on own initiative with minimal direct supervision.
- Substantial experience in Public Sector Procurement.
- Good knowledge of legislation on UK and EU Procurement Regulations.
- Experience in a Procurement/Supplies role.
- Experience of managing Procurement staff in the Public or Private Sector.
- Experience of working within the Healthcare Sector in a commercial role.
- Experience of using eProcurement, P2P and Finance systems.
- Category Management experience.
- Detailed understanding of the EU Directives and Public Contract Regulations, Standard Terms and Conditions of Contract and Contract Law.
- Thorough knowledge evidenced by being qualified in Procurement. Member of the Chartered Institute of Purchasing & Supply (Working towards CIPS Level 3 or above).
- Full UK Driving Licence, with up to 6 penalty points considered, to enable travel throughout EEAST and off site to meetings nationally.
- Skills and Knowledge
- Proven track record in performance of delivery against tight deadlines with the ability to work objectively and ethically when under pressure
- Good communication (verbal and written) and presentation skills at all levels, internal and external to the Trust, of highly complex and sensitive financial and technical information.
- Ability to analyse and interpret highly complex, sensitive and/or contentious information.
- Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to challenge the status quo in order to improve value.
- Numerate with good computer skills in Microsoft Word, PowerPoint and Excel, and experience of Purchase Order systems
- Ability to problem solve under pressure and provide accurate Procurement at all levels.
- Ability to contribute towards team building, coaching and motivating non-Finance staff, listening to and acknowledging the contribution from others.
- Personal Qualities, Abilities and Attributes
- Professional approach with an ability to focus on customer service and quality orientation.
- Ability to work well under pressure, effectively planning and prioritising own workload.
- Ability to work at both strategic and tactical levels, achieving deadlines and delivering whilst working on a number of projects simultaneously.
- Ability to manage internal and external relationships with sensitivity and diplomacy.
- Able to develop successful relationships with internal colleagues and departments as well as externally with a wide range of stakeholders, and work with individuals and groups from a range of backgrounds, being immediately credible to internal and external stakeholders.
- Excellent telephone manner
- Ability to act in an entrepreneurial and innovative manner, on own initiative with minimal direct supervision.
- Substantial experience in Public Sector Procurement.
- Good knowledge of legislation on UK and EU Procurement Regulations.
- Experience in a Procurement/Supplies role.
- Experience of managing Procurement staff in the Public or Private Sector.
- Experience of working within the Healthcare Sector in a commercial role.
- Experience of using eProcurement, P2P and Finance systems.
- Category Management experience.
- Detailed understanding of the EU Directives and Public Contract Regulations, Standard Terms and Conditions of Contract and Contract Law.
- Thorough knowledge evidenced by being qualified in Procurement. Member of the Chartered Institute of Purchasing & Supply (Working towards CIPS Level 3 or above).
- Full UK Driving Licence, with up to 6 penalty points considered, to enable travel throughout EEAST and off site to meetings nationally.
Useful to know
Agenda for Change 2024/25 pays Band 3 at £24,625 – £25,674 a year, across England.
This advert: £25,760 – £27,476 — outside the standard scale; check for HCAS/London weighting.
Posted 0d ago · Closes in 15d
Plenty of time to prepare a strong application.
Full advert · preview
East of England Ambulance Service
Assistant Buyer
The closing date is 06 October 2026
Job summary
To carry out specific strategic sourcing programmes for defined categories and provide effective management of the Trust procurement portfolios in line with Standing Financial Instructions, National Procurement Directives and UK Legislation.
The Assistant Buyer role will be responsible for different categories of relatively low value spend, volume, nature, and complexity; 'tail end spend'.
The post holder will provide clerical and administrative support to the Procurement Department. Processing of orders and requisitions onto the Departmental ordering system(s), ensuring compliance with end user deadlines and trust Standing Financial Instructions.
Main duties of the job
Please see the Job description and Person Specification that outlines the job responsibilities and personal qualities required for the role.
About us
You'll have the opportunity to work in one of the most diverse regions in the country, with the vibrant capital city just a stone's throw away and the invigorating North Sea coast to the east.At EEAST we bring together all our skills to provide 24 hour, 365 days a year urgent care to those in need of emergency and non-emergency medical treatment and transport in Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire, Essex, Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire.We are alwa
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