Job Title: Procurement Operations Lead
Function: Commercial
Location: Hybrid, based in any office
Type: Permanent
Salary: £64,062 with potential to £75,367 over 3 years
Closing Date: 16th September 2025
Purpose of the role: Manage day-to-day procurement operations, drive improvements and maintain standardisation. Lead procurement operations and the team to provide efficient support to sourcing, category teams and internal business partners. Advise wider commercial teams on relevant processes and ensure effective communication between category managers, stakeholders and the sourcing team. Provide exceptional customer service to internal and external customers. Collaborate across functions to optimise end-to-end procurement operations and enhance overall delivery.
Responsibilities
* Collect and analyse key cost drivers, market dynamics and issues, areas of innovation, and alternative suppliers for business-critical risks to inform decision-making.
* Contribute to annual and long-term business plans; forecast performance against KPIs; develop business cases and estimate resources required to deliver targets.
* Manage a significant operational area for the organisation.
* Identify, select and negotiate with vendors on product selection, assortment and price for a medium to large category.
* Develop procedures and interpret policies for the area of expertise; monitor implementation within the organisation.
* Communicate actions needed to implement the function's strategy; motivate the team to achieve local business goals.
* Develop and propose performance objectives; manage and report on team performance; set objectives for direct reports and take corrective action to achieve goals.
* Use the organisation's development framework to identify team development needs; provide informal training or coaching to improve performance and fulfil potential.
Skills, qualifications and qualities
* Act as a recognised subject matter expert to review and evaluate recommendations and requirements and develop appropriate plans.
* Plan, organise, prioritise and oversee activities to meet objectives as an expert.
* Obtain consensus between stakeholders with differing interests for the benefit of the organisation.
* Interpret and apply policies to align with organisational strategies.
* Manage costs and resources effectively, working independently where appropriate.
* Hold self and others accountable to meet commitments and track team metrics.
* Administer, monitor and manage provision of services in line with an agreed contract.
* Interpret financial indicators to make better business decisions and communicate implications clearly.
* Balance the needs of multiple stakeholders and uphold strong ethics and cultural awareness in interactions.
How you’ll work
Hybrid working; a blend of home and office with 2/3 days in the office and 2/3 days at home.
Benefits
* Performance-led annual bonus scheme
* 27 days holiday plus bank holidays, with option to purchase up to 5 extra days
* Generous contributory pension scheme (up to 6% employee / 12% employer contributions)
* Flexible Benefits Scheme (Life Insurance, Critical Illness Cover, Income Protection, Health Cash Plan, Dental Insurance and additional pension contributions)
* 2 days paid Volunteering Leave
* 1 day paid Wellbeing Leave
* Long Service Awards
* Blue Light Card and NHS Discounts
* Flexible working options
* National Annual season ticket purchase scheme
* Eye Care vouchers
* Free 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme
About NHS Supply Chain
We are part of the NHS family, sourcing and delivering healthcare products, services and food for NHS trusts and healthcare organisations across England and Wales. We work to ensure safety, quality and efficiency, serving every NHS Trust with a national network of distribution centres and more than a thousand suppliers.
Our purpose and vision are to support the NHS to save lives and improve health, with a focus on making it easier for the NHS to put patients first.
We reserve the right to close vacancies when sufficient applications have been received. Please apply without delay if you wish to be considered for this role.
SCCL is a company registered in England and Wales (company number 10881715), acting as the management function of the NHS Supply Chain.
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