Procurement Officer

The London Institute of Medical Sciences (LMS) at Hammersmith Hospital is directly funded MRC research institute and enjoys close links with its partners at Imperial College and at the Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust. The LMS research focuses on strengthening the basic science underpinning our understanding of human diseases and the translation of such high quality research into a clinical setting.

We are recruiting a Procurement Officer to work in the LMS Finance team. The post-holder will play a significant role in assisting the Head of Finance in the provision of a purchasing service to LMS scientific groups, facilities and administrative functions. The successful candidate will provide procurement advice and support to ensure efficiency of service delivery. 

This is a key role in the Finance team, providing a quality purchasing service to the Institute’s Scientific Groups and administrative functions, including delivering procurement training, advice and support to ensure an efficient service.

The post-holder will deploy problem-solving and effective record-keeping, which directly impact the accuracy of financial data, and enable the Head of Finance to ensure procurement-saving targets are achieved to support scientific progress.

The post-holder acts as an external ambassador for MRC in circumstances where the supplier process or invoicing has become complex and requires tact and diplomacy to resolve.

The post-holder will work proactively & collaboratively with stakeholders: requisitioners; our shared service centre, UKSBS; suppliers; budget-holders; and others.

Key responsibilities include:

• Provide comprehensive support to all LMS staff and visiting workers, including UKSBS. Dealing with a wide range of purchasing queries, including incorrect orders, wrong deliveries, expediting orders by telephone, email and/ or face-to-face to ensure a satisfactory resolution is reached
• Manage all procurement queries (liaising with UKSBS Strategic Procurement team) relating to single tender justification and tender processes, and provide procurement and VAT advice to all staff
• Support the implementation and compliance of procurement policies and processes, ensuring value for money is achieved and assisting in the development of sourcing strategies
• Per financial delegated authority, approve requisitions up to £50k raised through Oracle iProcurement. Part of the approval process will include a number of careful checks including: budget available; VAT status; quantity; cost; quotation; cost centre used; category of goods being purchased; any necessary supporting documentation has been supplied (eg duty exemption certificates have been provided to the supplier before the goods are released for delivery)
• Review requisitions to ensure goods are being purchased under the correct description or product category
• Provide procurement training to staff at all levels including Group Heads on Oracle Financial systems. Provide one-to-one training for users on a daily basis who require assistance raising complicated orders or need to make amendments to an order
• Liaise with UKSBS Procurement, compiling detailed spreadsheets and reports as and when required
• Support the Head of Finance with the organisation of meetings to include attendance at meetings and minute taking
• Provide cover within the team in times of annual leave or absence. Any other duties that may be assigned appropriate to the grade

Education / Qualifications / Training required (will be assessed from application form):

Essential:

• Educated to at least A level or equivalent relevant experience

Desirable:

• Studying CIPS (For the right candidate LMS is prepared to contribute towards study support for MCIPS)

Previous work experience required (will be assessed from application form and at interview):

Essential:

• Proven experience working in a Purchasing / Finance (business) environment in a Procurement / Buyers or Finance role
• Experience of procuring a range of commodities
• Knowledge of best practice procurement and supplier management techniques
• A sound working knowledge of MS Office Programs
• Experience in handling multiple streams of work, juggling priorities and dealing with customers and staff at all levels
• Excellent written communication skills in English

Desirable:

• Experience of using Oracle Financial Systems
• An understanding of the complete procurement and contract management lifecycles
• Knowledge of relevant UK public sector procurement legislation and regulation

Personal skills / Behaviours / Qualities (will be assessed at the interview):

Essential:

• Flexibility in working as part of a small team
• Commitment to providing a good customer service and building solid relationships
• Ability to work under pressure and deal with competing priorities
• Ability to communicate / train non-procurement specialists in procurement & supplier management techniques
• Ability to negotiate effectively with suppliers
• Excellent oral communication skills in English
• Ability to problem solve and deal with wide ranging issues on own initiative
• Proactive
• Excellent attention to detail

• Learning and development tailored to your role
• An environment with flexible working options
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity

Job contact :

• Name : UKRI Recruitment Team
• Email : recruitment@ukri.org

Recruitment team

• Email : recruitment@ukri.org