Procurement officer
Procurement officers help the organisation buy the goods and services it needs, lawfully and at good value, from routine purchases to formal tenders. In a digital health care organisation much of this spending is on software, cloud services, licences, devices, and technology services, so they work closely with digital, information governance, and clinical safety colleagues as well as with budget holders.
- UK GDaD PCF role
- None: this reference defines the role
- ESCO occupations
- procurement support officer (ISCO-08 3343); purchaser (ISCO-08 3323)
- On GitHub
- Role document · Role data
Levels
| Band | Role level | UK GDaD PCF level | Civil Service grades | Job evaluation points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | Procurement assistant | — | — | 223 |
| 4 | Buyer | — | — | 279 |
| 5 | Procurement officer | — | — | 351 |
| 6 | Senior procurement officer | — | — | 422 |
In a digital health care organisation
- Public procurement rules apply to the organisation's spending, so every purchase must follow the right route, keep a clear audit trail, and treat suppliers fairly.
- Many purchases are digital, such as software licences, cloud subscriptions, and devices, and need security, data protection, and clinical safety checks before contract.
- Suppliers of clinical systems can hold patient data, so contracts need clear terms on data protection, data ownership, and data return.
- Buying through frameworks and dynamic purchasing systems built for the public sector can save time, but call-offs must still follow each framework's rules.
- Public spending must show value for money and social value, such as local jobs, skills, and lower carbon.
ESCO occupations and skills
ESCO lists the skills and knowledge that employers usually need (essential) or may need (optional) for each occupation. Use them as a checklist for development conversations.
procurement support officer
Procurement support officers assist the staff of the procurement team throughout the procurement processes, making sure all procurement documents are compliant with procedural, technical and legal requirements, and that meetings and other contacts are well organised.
Essential skills and knowledge (19)
Skills and competences
- adhere to organisational code of ethics
- adhere to organisational guidelines
- apply certification and payment procedures
- assess procurement needs
- cooperate with colleagues
- draft procurement technical specifications
- draft tender documentation
- maintain relationship with suppliers
- manage contracts
- perform contract reporting and evaluation
- perform procurement market analysis
- provide technical documentation
- use e-procurement
Knowledge
Optional skills and knowledge (8)
Skills and competences
- address problems critically
- develop performance orientation in public administration
- implement risk management in procurement
- manage relationships with stakeholders
- use communication techniques
- use different communication channels
Knowledge
purchaser
Purchasers select and purchase stock, materials, services or goods. They organise tender procedures and select suppliers.
Essential skills and knowledge (20)
Skills and competences
- assess supplier risks
- communicate price changes
- compare contractors' bids
- coordinate purchasing activities
- ensure compliance with purchasing and contracting regulations
- have computer literacy
- identify suppliers
- issue purchase orders
- maintain relationship with customers
- maintain relationship with suppliers
- manage contracts
- manage purchasing cycle
- manage tender processes
- perform procurement processes
- speak different languages
- track price trends
Knowledge
Optional skills and knowledge (17)
Skills and competences
- analyse consumer buying trends
- analyse logistic changes
- analyse logistic needs
- analyse supply chain strategies
- assess procurement needs
- conduct performance measurement
- identify new business opportunities
- implement procurement of innovation
- implement sustainable procurement
- negotiate sales contracts
- perform procurement market analysis
- report accounts of the professional activity
- use e-procurement
Knowledge
Contains ESCO v1.2.1 data (https://esco.ec.europa.eu/). © European Union. Reuse authorised under Commission Decision 2011/833/EU.