EEAST is a great place to work, great people, great career opportunities and a career that can take you anywhere. No two days are the same, if you are looking for a varied and supportive environment EEAST can offer you that and more!
Hear why our employees think it is such a great place to work:
-Great employee benefits:
-Our equality networks:
-Our vision & values:
Before you apply, please visit our how to apply page for full guidance:
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Job overview
EEAST Category Managers are the core subject matter leaders of our team, focussing on specialised areas of spend to design, optimise, and lead procurement strategies. By focussing on building effective teams, improving procurement and supplier management we expect our Category Leads to be at the forefront of spend control and strategic supply chain management.
EEAST procurement team is part of the Southern Alliance and are proud to be at the forefront of driving contracting compliance with the Procurement Act 2023, while targeting best value and sustainability.
The Procurement team is based alongside the HR team in beautiful offices in Bedford. The offices are based on an industrial estate and back onto a lake, surrounded by trees.
Main duties of the job
Key Activities:
• Identifying, reporting, and delivering opportunities for savings and cost reduction
• Conducting compliant tenders in accordance with the current Public Sector Procurement regulations
• Optimising EEAST’s commercial position through effective contracting and negotiation
• Providing advice and guidance on risk management related to contracting and procurement
• Working with internal and external stakeholders to develop strong relationships
• Promoting effective supplier relationship management
• Developing a category management approach to an assigned area of responsibility
• Operating as a spokesperson for best-practice public procurement in accordance with NHS Procurement principles and UK law.
Working for our organisation
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 always looking to innovate our approaches and work together to offer the best possible patient care across our counties.
We aim to represent and value the diversity of our local communities through our workforce and service provision. We therefore positively encourage applications from under-represented groups, such as Black, Asian, or other ethnic groups, individuals with a Disability, or LGBTQ+ individuals who meet the specific criteria.
We at EEAST want to support our employees achieve a balance between work and other priorities, such as caring responsibilities, family commitments, further learning, and other interests. We therefore welcome flexible working requests.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
For a thorough and comprehensive understanding of the role, including all its specific requirements and responsibilities, please consult the attached Job Description and Person Specification. This document provides an in-depth overview that will give you a clear and detailed picture of what the position entails.
Please note, should you be successful in your application, you will be required to undergo pre-employment checks, prior to receiving an unconditional offer, if full employment checks cannot be achieved (this will include existing and unserved disciplinary sanctions), then your offer may be withdrawn.
How to apply
Step 1 - Read the advert and the Job Description and Person Specification (attached)
Step 2 - Complete the Supporting Statement - Your statement needs to indicate how you meet each of the criteria contained within the Person Specification.
Step 3 - Complete the online application and upload your statement. Please note, CVs are not accepted.
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
1. Detailed understanding of the UK Public Contract Regulations, standard terms and conditions of contract and contract law
2. Proof of commitment to Continuing Professional Development
3. Degree in procurement, logistics or supply chain management or the equivalent industry experience (for the purposes of this JD equivalent experience is 3 years in a procurement/supplies role with category management experience)
Desirable criteria
4. Member of the Chartered Institute of Purchasing & Supply (full MCIPS status)
Skills
Essential criteria
5. Excellent 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
6. Proven track record in performance of procurement/contract management delivery against tight deadlines with the ability to work objectively and ethically when under pressure
7. Exceptional influencing and negotiating skills within a multidisciplinary environment to achieve maximum value for the Trust through negotiations
8. Ability to prioritise, manage and generate own workload within a rapidly changing and fast paced environment, dealing with constant interruptions and competing demands
9. Ability to contribute towards team building, coaching and motivating non-finance staff, listening to and acknowledging the contribution from others
Desirable criteria
10. Experience of using eProcurement, P2P and Oracle type systems
Personal Attributes
Essential criteria
11. Ability to act in an entrepreneurial and innovative manner on own initiative with minimal direct supervision
12. Ability to work at both strategic and tactical levels, achieving deadlines and delivering whilst working on a number of projects simultaneously
13. 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.
Experience
Essential criteria
14. Good knowledge of legislation on UK and EU Procurement Regulations
15. Proven Category Management experience
You will be required to hold a full UK manual driving licence with a minimum of 1 years driving experience (maximum of 3 penalty points for minor motoring offences only).
Employer certification / accreditation badges
Applicant requirements
The postholder will have access to vulnerable people in the course of their normal duties and as such this post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions.