Apprentice Customer Service Practitioner – Procurement

Would you like to start your exciting career with the NHS, learning new skills and how to manage order enquiries, process Purchase Orders and price check products on behalf of Gloucestershire NHS? Why not apply for our fantastic opportunity which enables you to gain experience whilst achieving a nationally recognised apprenticeship qualification?

Job Title: Apprentice Customer Service Practitioner - Procurement

Division: Corporate

Department: Gloucestershire Procurement Shared Service

Responsible and accountable to: Purchasing Team Manager

Terms of contract: GHNHSFT Apprenticeship Terms and Conditions,

Fixed Term (15 months)

Location: Victoria Warehouse, The Docks, Gloucester

Hours 37.5 hours per week; Monday to Friday

The proposed interview date is: 17th August

An excellent opportunity has arisen for a well organised and committed individual to be an Apprentice Customer Service Practitioner within Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

The apprentice will complete a Level 2 Customer Service Practitioner apprenticeship with Adult Education in Gloucestershire whilst gaining valuable customer service, administration and purchasing experience in the Procurement Department providing services to local healthcare organisations.

This apprenticeship vacancy would be suitable for a school leaver or someone who would like a change in career who has an interest in customer service in the specialist area of procurement, purchasing of goods and services.

The apprentice will be managed by the Procurement Transformation Systems & Process Manager and be supported to carry out activities including:

The ordering of Goods, Services and Works

Processing enquiries received from Customers and Suppliers

Obtaining prices and quotation

Processing of orders compliant with the Trusts’ Standing Financial Instructions, Procurement Policy and current legislation

Supporting low value tender exercises

We take pride in placing people at the centre of everything we do, working together as a united team. Driven by a shared ambition to continually grow, develop, and learn, we recognise and value every contribution. By combining our experience and skills, we not only support our vibrant, diverse communities, but also support one another.

With a team of over 9,000 employees, we are proud to be the largest employer in Gloucestershire and rank among the top 10 largest Trusts in the South West region. By joining our Trust, you will benefit from an excellent package that includes exclusive benefits, flexible working opportunities and the chance to gain valuable experience in one of our innovative hospitals. As well as generous annual leave allowance, access to the excellent NHS pension scheme, competitive bank rates, discounts at local shops and restaurants, access to two on-site nurseries, discounted public transport, reward and recognition and a range of health and wellbeing initiatives to support you.

Dimensions:

The annual non-pay expenditure of the Trusts in the health community over which the Procurement Shared Services (PSS) has influence is approximately £70m. PSS provides procurement services to the following Customers:

Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Gloucestershire Health & Care NHS Foundation Trust

Gloucestershire Managed Services

Key result areas:

To attend all mandatory components of the Apprenticeship

To undertake training as required and agreed with the mentor, supervisor and external assessor and complete the competencies relevant to the work area/department.

Ability to get on well with people at all levels, communicate and work effectively as a team member

Accept designated workload from supervisor

Deliver a high standard of customer service dealing with visitors and telephone enquiries

Communicate effectively with internal and external networks

Work collaboratively with all Procurement Team members ensuring that all activities are carried out and completed to the required standard

To be flexible, with the ability to alter activities and priorities as the need arises

Learn skills and gain knowledge to prioritise work, taking into account workload and urgency

Share appropriate work related information within remit

Following training and gaining competence and confidence work independently, referring to supervisor when necessary.

Process enquiries, requisitions and create official purchase orders for all Customers in a timely and accurate manner and in compliance with the Trusts’ Standing Financial Instructions, Procurement Policy and current legislation

Take responsibility for ordering Goods, Services and Works and provide advice on the ordering process and assist Customers with queries

Implement standard operating procedures

Identify system errors/faults and report these as appropriate.

Support low value tender exercises, obtain prices and quotations and liaise with customers and suppliers with regard to costs, product information as required

Accurately and efficiently file requisitions, contracts and maintain central filing systems

Have responsibility for personal development and complete the Intermediate (L2) Customer Service Practitioner Apprenticeship within the time frame

Undertake any customer service or administrative and other appropriate duties, commensurate with the role as required at the request of your supervisor

The above list of duties and responsibilities is not intended to be fully comprehensive and may be amended to take account of changing circumstances or requirements following consultation with the post holder.

Communications and Working Relationships:

Budget holders

Clinical Staff

Suppliers

Senior Procurement Staff within other NHS Trusts/Special Health Authorities

Shared Finance staff

External Organisations and Agencies

Most Challenging part of the job:

Process orders promptly and accurately to ensure the timing of medical/surgical procedures is not compromised by delays in the supply chain or ordering process.

Take ownership of problems and deal effectively with difficult and challenging Customers to deliver a professional and Customer focussed procurement service.

Demonstrate a pro-active and flexible approach to challenges, supporting and demonstrating the one-team ethos across the department.

Please see the full job description and person specification by accessing the documents under the ‘Supporting Documents’ heading.

Contact Details

Ashley Stanford (Purchasing Team Manager)

astanford@nhs.net

0300 422 2666

If Ashley is not around please speak with Michelle Fishley on the same number