NWSSP Legal & Risk Services
Purchasing Assistant
How your CV stacks up
Upload your CV to see how well it fits this job role
?%
Purchasing Assistant
Job Opportunity at NWSSP
If you are looking to join NWSSP, please see the additional information below that may be of interest to you:-
- Our “Benefits” video has been created to highlight and showcase some of the benefits of working for the NHS and NWSSP:- https://youtu.be/zX3x046SDhg
- The “Tops Tips – Be Yourself” video has been designed to support candidates applying for roles with NWSSP. We have outlined 8 key steps to help candidates articulate their capabilities and experience when completing applications with NWSSP. https://youtu.be/qe3ibY8b6m4
Applicants are invited to apply in Welsh. Any application submitted in Welsh will not be treated less favourably than an application made in English.
The salary scale for a Band 3 has been adjusted as part of the NHS Agenda for Change pay award for 2026/2027 and will be implemented in August 2026 backdated to 01 April 2026 where applicable.
Job Overview
To assist in the delivery of an efficient, effective, quality sourcing service to the NHS in Wales ensuring that resources are maximised and that the service provides optimum solutions to customers so releasing resources for patient care.
Main duties of the job
An exciting opportunity has arisen within NHS Wales Shard Services Partnership Procurement Frontline team based at Woodland House, Cardiff.
The role of will be responsible for the purchase of selected goods and services in accordance with Procurement policies and procedures by obtaining and analysing quotations, processing orders, onto the computerised purchase order system achieving financial and performance targets.
- Undertake the negotiation of non compliant Non Pay expenditure in accordance with Health Board/Trust’s Standing Orders/SFIs and all other relevant legislation, to ensure reduction in Non Catalogue requests and increase in catalogue usage, assisting the Procurement Business Relationship Team in the delivery of the Health Board’s/Trust’s Cost Improvement Non Pay savings plans.
The ability to speak Welsh is desirable for this post; Welsh and/or English speakers are equally welcome to apply.
Reasons to use Rodeo
Start with a chat, not a search bar
Grad scheme, placement, apprenticeship? Not sure what you want yet — that's fine. Your agent talks it through with you and turns "I have no idea" into a shortlist.
It searches the market for you
Every day your agent scans the market matching roles against what actually matters to you, not just keywords on a CV.
Only hits
No noise. No "maybe this fits." Just roles with a clear explanation of why they're right — and where to focus when applying.
Working for our organisation
At NHS Wales Shared Services Partnership we expect everyone to embrace our values of Listening and Learning, Working Together, Taking Responsibility and Innovating.
Our organisation encourages an agile working approach and we pride ourselves on being a learning organisation motivated by continuous improvement.
We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace that values equality, diversity and inclusion, focussing on the wellbeing and belonging of our people.
Excellent customer service is something we strive for, for both our internal and external customers.
Offering a comprehensive benefits package, there is something for everyone. To find out more about working for us, the benefits we offer and guidance on the application process please visit https://nwssp.nhs.wales/working-for-us/.
NWSSP work in an agile way where possible, all posts will have a contractual base but as part of agile ways of working that may mean working from home and other locations. We also look at how we balance flexibility with community, and how to manage opportunities to learn from each other.
Detailed Job Description And Main Responsibilities
You will be able to find a full Job description and Person Specification attached within the supporting documents or please click “Apply now” to view in Trac.
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
- 5 GCSE's Grades A-C including Maths and English
Desirable criteria
- Have or working towards ECDL or equivalent
Experience
Desirable criteria
- Contracting/ Procurement experience
- Experience of working in an office environment
- Experience of working with customers or suppliers
Skills
Essential criteria
- Ability to work to deadlines
- Numerate
- Articulate
- Proven ability to prepare documentation utilising Microsoft products that are both structurally and grammatically correct and capable of final presentation
- Professional telephone manner
- Excellent organisational skills
- Proven communication skills
- Excellent interpersonal skills
- Ability to follow work through to completion
Get help with your application
Your very own career expert that helps elevate your application to the next level.
Desirable criteria
- Welsh Language Skills are desirable levels 1 to 5 in understanding, speaking, reading and writing in Welsh
We are committed to flexible working and equal opportunities.
If you are short listed for interview you will be contacted by email using the email address with which you registered. Please ensure that you check your email account regularly.
Prior consideration for this vacancy will be given to staff awaiting redeployment. We therefore reserve the right to withdraw this advert at any stage.
When applying for this post it is essential that you read the Job Description and Person Specification (where available) and demonstrate how your skills, knowledge and experience meet the requirements of the person specification. Only candidates who clearly demonstrate how they meet the person specification will be shortlisted.
To work in the UK, all candidates who are not UK or Republic of Ireland (RoI) nationals require sponsorship to obtain either a Health and Care visa or Skilled Worker visa, unless you have permission to work via another route. Non UK / RoI candidates wishing to apply should self-assess the likelihood of obtaining a Certificate of Sponsorship by visiting Work in the UK. If you are eligible for the Health and Care visa, application costs are lower and you do not need to pay the annual Immigration Health Surcharge.
Applicant requirements
Welsh language skills are desirable.
Documents to download
- Job Description & Person Specification (PDF, 312.4KB)
- SDMP Cymraeg (PDF, 392.4KB)
- OH Form - IG Ffurflen (DOCX, 107.4KB)
- NWSSP Recruitment Services Privacy Notice (PDF, 404.2KB)
- NWSSP - About Us (PDF, 6.6MB)
- NWSSP - Our Benefits (PDF, 490.4KB)
- NWSSP - Buddion (PDF, 458.9KB)
- PCGC -Amdanom (PDF, 6.7MB)
- Guidance Notes for Applicants (PDF, 322.5KB)
- Integrated Medium Term Plan 2025-2028 (PDF, 15.1MB)
- Integrated Medium Term Plan 2025-2028 - Cymraeg (PDF, 18.0MB)
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name Nicola Arnold
- Job title Sebior Procurement Business Manager
- Email address Nicola.Arnold@wales.nhs.uk
“It took my CV and asked me questions relevant to understanding what kind of jobs to suggest for me. Suggestions were almost perfect. Jobs were exactly what I’ve been looking for.”
Jessica, London
Skills
Location