Job overview
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a highly experienced and commercially astute leader to join NELFT as Chief Procurement Officer (CPO). This post is being advertised with a short deadline due to the urgency of needing a senior experienced procurement professional in post as a result of internal promotion.
Reporting directly to the Managing Director, you will provide strategic leadership for procurement and commercial services across NELFT and partner Trusts. This pivotal role will build on the success of the North East London Health and Care Procurement Partnership (NEL HCPP), driving innovation, efficiency, and value in procurement to deliver excellent patient outcomes, particularly across mental health and community services.
interview - Week commencing 13th October 2025
Main duties of the job
·Lead the development and delivery of a 5-year procurement and commercial strategy, aligned to Trust and national priorities.
·Oversee procurement, supply chain and contract management functions across partner Trusts.
·Deliver sustainable cost improvements, cash-releasing savings, and innovative commercial solutions.
·Act as a centre of procurement excellence, building strong relationships with ICS partners, national and regional stakeholders, and suppliers.
·Lead, motivate and develop a high-performing, multi-skilled team with a culture of continuous improvement.
·Ensure compliance with NHS and public sector procurement law, policy, and governance frameworks.
Working for our organisation
Barts Health is one of the largest NHS trusts in the country, and one of Britain’s leading healthcare providers.
The Barts Health group of NHS hospitals is entering an exciting new era on our improvement journey to becoming an outstanding organisation with a world-class clinical reputation. Having lifted ourselves out of special measures, we now have the impetus and breathing space to chart a fresh course in which we are continually striving to improve all our services for patients.
Our vision is to be a high-performing group of NHS hospitals, renowned for excellence and innovation, and providing safe and compassionate care to our patients in east London and beyond. That means being a provider of excellent patient safety, known for delivering consistently high standards of harm-free care and always caring for patients in the right place at the right time. It also means being an outstanding place to work, in which our WeCare values and behaviours are visible to all and guide us in how we work together.
We strive to live by our WeCare values and are committed to promoting inclusion, where every staff member has a sense of belonging. We value our differences and fully advocate, cultivate and support an inclusive working environment.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
The full job description provides an overview of the key tasks and responsibilities of the role, and the person specification outlines the qualifications, skills, experience, and knowledge required. For both documents, please view the attachment/s below.
For further details, please contact Pav Devsi -
Person specification
Experience
Essential criteria
1. Demonstrated successfully working at a significantly senior Procurement level within the NHS.
2. Substantial experience of reporting to and working with Executive and Board level committees, forums and meetings
3. Successfully delivered high value change and transformation programmes as well as providing professional and strategic leadership to the Procurement department.
4. Ability to interpret national and local policy drivers where no guidance is available. Establish and maintain strong networks with national and regional policy influencers.
5. Substantial experience of planning and implementing long- term strategic plans that affects multiple organisations in an environment of uncertainty. Evidence of significant influence to corporate strategy.
6. Experience of establishing, negotiating and finalising highly strategic contracts with consultants and suppliers, and the management of highly complex commercial relationships.
7. Subject Matter Expert in Procurement and Supply Chain issues with substantial experience of strong stakeholder management both internal and external stakeholders at all levels.
8. Expert analytical & problem solving skills with the ability to make decisions by determining key points from highly complex data and multiple information strands.
9. Excellent leadership and staff development skills.
10. Significant experience of coaching and mentoring to members
Skills
Essential criteria
11. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, using a range of media.
12. Demonstrate a commitment to partnership working with internal and external stakeholders.
13. Ability to lead and direct multi- professional teams to deliver objectives to a high standard.
14. Ability to influence staff at all levels and disciplines.
15. To be personally motivated and to be able to motivate and enthuse others.
16. Ability to analyse problems logically and generate innovative solutions.
17. Ability to convert strategy into operational delivery.
18. Ability to work under pressure, prioritise workload and deliver to tight timescales
19. Customer Service Awareness.
20. High level of IT skills and good working knowledge and application of various MS packages.
Knowledge
Essential criteria
21. Specialist knowledge of Legislation in respect of Procurement
22. Specialist knowledge of public sector procurement
23. Substantial experience and training in contract & category research and source planning
24. Expert knowledge and experience of how business case development and approvals add value to the procurement function and inform investment decisions.
25. Specialist knowledge of contract law
Desirable criteria
26. Specialist knowledge of Supply Chain & Commercial Development
Qualifications
Essential criteria
27. Relevant first degree or equivalent relevant vocational qualification or training
28. Qualified Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply (MCIPS) or equivalent demonstrable experience
29. In-depth professional knowledge gained through master’s level qualification or equivalent, plus substantial degree of additional training and experience (across all functions managed
30. Evidence of Continuous Professional Development; post education learning, or post graduate equivalent accreditation
Desirable criteria
31. Project / Change Management qualification
32. Management qualification
Other
Essential criteria
33. To be aware and demonstrate the Trust Values
34. To be able to travel effectively throughout the Trust