Qualifications
Essential criteria
If you are looking to join NWSSP, please see the additional information below that may be of interest to you:
Our “Benefits” video has been created to highlight and showcase some of the benefits of working for the NHS and NWSSP: https://youtu.be/zX3x046SDhg
The “Tops Tips – Be Yourself” video has been designed to support candidates applying for roles with NWSSP. We have outlined 8 key steps to help candidates articulate their capabilities and experience when completing applications with NWSSP. https://youtu.be/qe3ibY8b6m4
Applicants are invited to apply in Welsh. Any application submitted in Welsh will not be treated less favourably than an application made in English.
Job Overview
NWSSP is responsible for the full Procure to Pay process for all Health Boards, Trusts, and Special Health Authorities in Wales. A vacancy has arisen for a Senior Category Manager within the ICT and Office Products Team.
This is an excellent opportunity to develop your procurement career in a dynamic, challenging, and high‑profile environment. Candidates must be able to demonstrate the application of commercial skills, negotiation, and relationship management of internal and external stakeholders.
To be successful in this post, the candidate will have a continuous improvement mindset; be flexible and responsive to changes in priorities; have a resilient personality; a demonstrable track record in delivering creative and innovative service improvement solutions; manage heavy workload at pace; and ensure policies and procedures are adhered to, ensuring strategic and operational targets are delivered.
It is essential to have experience of the digital category, although learning can be provided as part of 'on the job' training and procurement/commercial skills are transferable.
Main duties of the job
Supporting the teams understanding of the strategic direction of all NHS Wales organisations and the alignment with the NWSSP strategic objectives as part of the Integrated Medium‑Term Plan (IMTP).
Supporting the leadership of the Assistant Head of National Sourcing and Deputy Head of National Sourcing in the delivery of a National Sourcing category strategy.
Work with the Assistant Head of National Sourcing to develop and deliver a comprehensive and maintained sourcing plan, focussed on delivering prioritised customer needs and cash‑releasing savings from non‑pay budgets.
Apply commercial acumen and utilise skills to deliver in a complex changing environment throughout NHS Wales.
Apply innovative and strategic thinking to continuous service improvement initiatives and be prepared to challenge historical practice when appropriate, ensuring best practice is adopted which improves the efficiency and effectiveness of the National Sourcing Team.
Ensure compliance of the team’s activities concerning sourcing and Procure to Pay (P2P) activity and application of the UK Public Contract Regulations.
Ensure the operational management and performance monitoring of the whole Procurement team in line with departmental Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).
Working for our organisation
At NHS Wales Shared Services Partnership we expect everyone to embrace our values of Listening and Learning, Working Together, Taking Responsibility and Innovating.
Our organisation encourages an agile working approach and we pride ourselves on being a learning organisation motivated by continuous improvement.
We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace that values equality, diversity and inclusion, focussing on the wellbeing and belonging of our people.
Excellent customer service is something we strive for, for both our internal and external customers.
Offering a comprehensive benefits package, there is something for everyone. To find out more about working for us, the benefits we offer and guidance on the application process please visit https://nwssp.nhs.wales/working-for-us/.
NWSSP work in an agile way where possible; all posts will have a contractual base but as part of agile ways of working that may mean working from home and other locations. We also look at how we balance flexibility with community, and how to manage opportunities to learn from each other.
Detailed Job Description And Main Responsibilities
You will be able to find a full Job description and Person Specification attached within the supporting documents or please click “Apply now” to view in Trac.
The ability to speak Welsh is desirable for this post; Welsh and/or English speakers are equally welcome to apply.
Those applicants who are interested in developing into the role following the successful completion of academic qualifications will be remunerated on line with Agenda for Change Annex 21, based on current roles and experience.
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
* Qualified in project management, i.e. PRINCE2 or alternative methodology or equivalent experience.
* Qualified to MCIPS (Level 5-6) or equivalent experience.
Desirable criteria
* Post graduate diploma or demonstrable equivalent experience in a relevant area.
Aptitude and Abilities
Essential criteria
* Excellent communication skills, written and oral, articulate and robust in presenting ideas.
* IT proficiency particularly in the use of word processing, spreadsheets, databases and use of the web for researching.
* Evidence of continuous professional development.
Desirable criteria
* Welsh Speaker.
Experience
Essential criteria
* Proven experience of delivering large scale complex and/or high value procurements on time, and within budget.
* Expertise in EU procurement and contract management, obtained via further training and/or relevant experience.
* Experience of project planning and ability to meet deadlines.
* Demonstrable track record of obtaining savings and key performance indicators.
* Experience of people/staff management.
* Conversant with legal, compliance and probity issues.
Desirable criteria
* Awareness of Quality standards and working with ISO policies and procedures.
* Awareness of business planning principles.
* Track record of managing organisational and technological change.
We are committed to flexible working and equal opportunities.
If you are short listed for interview you will be contacted by email using the email address with which you registered. Please ensure that you check your email account regularly.
Prior consideration for this vacancy will be given to staff awaiting redeployment. We therefore reserve the right to withdraw this advert at any stage.
When applying for this post it is essential that you read the Job Description and Person Specification (where available) and demonstrate how your skills, knowledge and experience meet the requirements of the person specification. Only candidates who clearly demonstrate how they meet the person specification will be shortlisted.
To work in the UK, all candidates who are not UK or Republic of Ireland (RoI) nationals require sponsorship to obtain either a Health and Care visa or Skilled Worker visa, unless you have permission to work via another route. Non‑UK / RoI candidates wishing to apply should self‑assess the likelihood of obtaining a Certificate of Sponsorship by visiting Work in the UK. If you are eligible for the Health and Care visa, application costs are lower and you do not need to pay the annual Immigration Health Surcharge.
Applicant requirements
Welsh language skills are desirable.
Documents to download
* JD & PS English (PDF, 536.3KB)
* JD & PS Welsh (PDF, 600.3KB)
* Occupational Health Form (PDF, 656.5KB)
* NWSSP Recruitment Services Privacy Notice (PDF, 696.3KB)
* NWSSP - About Us (PDF, 6.6MB)
* NWSSP - Our Benefits 2023 (PDF, 487.5KB)
* NWSSP - Buddion (PDF, 491.0KB)
* PCGC -Amdanom (PDF, 6.7MB)
* Guidance Notes for Applicants (PDF, 322.5KB)
* Intergrated Medium Term Plan 2025-2028 (PDF, 15.1MB)
* Intergrated Medium Term Plan 2025-2028 - Cymraeg (PDF, 18.0MB)
Further details / informal visits contact
Name: Katharine Fletcher
Job title: Deputy Head of National Sourcing
Email address: katharine.fletcher@wales.nhs.uk
#J-18808-Ljbffr