Overview
Are you ready to lead with impact and shape the future of healthcare procurement? We’re looking for a visionary Head of Category to lead our Health category team. This role is for someone who is passionate about procurement and driven to make a real difference in the healthcare system. If you thrive on delivering exceptional client service and bring deep expertise in the procurement lifecycle with a sharp understanding of opportunities and challenges in healthcare, this is your moment. As our strategic lead and subject matter expert, you will craft and execute a bold, forward-thinking strategy that drives efficiency, consistency, and quality across the board. You will build partnerships with clients and suppliers, transforming how we deliver value. With inspiring leadership, you will oversee a diverse portfolio of frameworks, ensuring seamless operation and renewal, spearhead strategic sourcing initiatives, and lead high-impact projects that set new standards for excellence. This is more than a role; it is a chance to lead transformation, elevate performance, and leave a lasting legacy in healthcare procurement.
What Youll Be Doing
* Leadership: Lead, coach and develop the team to differentiate NHS SBS within the marketplace. Deliver high standards of team performance and cross-team collaboration at all times.
* Procurement vision & strategy: Support and contribute to a progressive commercial strategy for the specification, procurement, and management of all contracted and outsourced activity.
* Business awareness and commercial focus: Identify opportunities for improved service delivery, savings, and "value add" projects, delivering against key performance and financial targets.
* Managing complexity: Deliver best-in-class procurement and contract management processes. Lead category plans, ensuring they are actively progressing, updated, and delivered.
* Decision making and risk management/governance: Secure procurement excellence through efficient and effective procurement projects within key markets. Act as an SME to all clients and provide inspired leadership in the field.
* Framework management: Proactively identify growth and risk areas and develop implementation plans across the framework portfolio.
What Youll Bring
* CIPS Level 6 Diploma in Procurement and Supply.
* Experience of operating within a Public Sector Buying organisation environment.
* Working background with the NHS and/or Public Sector.
* Sound understanding of UK Public Contracts Regulations, The Procurement Act and Provider Selection Regime.
* Experience of the Health market and its supply chains.
* A leadership background
It Would Be Great If You Had
* Working background with NHS Terms and Conditions.
If you are interested in this role but not sure if your skills and experience are exactly what we’re looking for, please do apply—we’d love to hear from you!
Employment Type: Full-time, Permanent
Location: NorthWest Hub (ideally a 2 hour commute)
Security Clearance Level: DBS
Internal Recruiter: Katie
Salary: circa £80,000 per annum (depending upon experience and development needs)
Benefits: £6,600 car allowance, 25 days annual leave with the option to buy additional days, private medical (couple), life assurance, pension, and generous flexible benefits fund
Flexibility: Although this role is advertised as full-time, we support flexible working arrangements and encourage applicants to discuss possible options.
About NHS Shared Business Services (NHS SBS)
NHS SBS was created by the Department of Health and Social Care to deliver corporate services to the NHS. A joint venture with Sopra Steria, we make life easier for NHS employees, patients, and suppliers, delivering value for money to the taxpayer. We provide finance & accounting, digital, procurement and workforce services to more than half the NHS in England, with solutions underpinned by cutting-edge technologies and our deep NHS expertise, commitment to service excellence, and a focus on value.
We share common values with the NHS family, are committed to being a force for good, and act responsibly and sustainably at organisational, team and individual levels.
We welcome applications from people with diverse backgrounds and identities and are committed to equality of opportunity for all. We do not discriminate on race, religion, colour, gender, age, disability, sexual orientation or marital status. We partner with diversity-focused platforms to promote accessible vacancies.
If you require adjustments to the recruitment process, please let us know when applying. We participate in the Disability Confident scheme and are committed to offering an interview to any candidate with a disability who meets the minimum criteria.
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