Job overview
The Head of Category will lead a team of procurement professionals to develop relationships externally with suppliers and NHS Category Towers and internally as a business partner to operational and corporate departments. The Head of Category will ensure that the market and service knowledge of the category team is used to deliver procurements and contracts that maximise value for money, comply with internal governance requirements and relevant legislation whilst balancing the demands of service delivery in a dynamic, multi-site acute and teaching hospital.
The Head of Category will also ensure the provision of specialist procurement advice to operational and corporate departments to support ongoing contract management
Please note that if you currently work for another NHS Trust or UHSussex and you are applying to accept this position as a secondment opportunity, before applying you must seek agreement and authorisation from your current Trust/Manager. Secondments can’t be agreed without this approval. If you are unable to gain approval, you should refrain from applying unless you wish to take this role as a fixed term position.
Main duties of the job
1. Champion procurement and promote the benefits of leading procurement practices internally and externally, resulting in procurement having a visible and high profile at all levels.
2. Lead the negotiation of complex, multi-year contracts for services and subsequent contract management on behalf of the Trust
3. Develop and deliver commercial procurement strategies that cover multiple divisions requiring supplier innovation, senior stakeholder engagement, and/or market building/shaping.
4. Support on the delivery of strategic procurement and commercial opportunities ensuring the long term sustainable future of the Trust
5. Carry out procurement's for contracts that require analysis, comparison and assessment.
6. Critically assess markets and competitive behaviour undertaken by all suppliers within the relevant categories and take action to improve or protect the Trust’s interests across the whole contract life-cycle
Working for our organisation
At UHSussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us always deliver Excellent Care Everywhere, as shown in our Outstanding for Caring CQC rating. Your uniqueness and experiences will be part of our creative and innovative community where everyone is encouraged to succeed. We have a range of staff networks to help break down barriers, and can offer a buddy to help new members settle in. We’re proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 3) and a Veteran Aware Trust.
Candidate Pack
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
·Engage with and influence stakeholders at all levels and in sensitive situations, delivering difficult messages where required to Trust Directors and senior clinical and operational leaders.
·Employ effective communication, negotiation and influencing skills to enable stakeholder relationships to deliver objectives over the duration of projects/programmes including within change programmes where there may be complex and conflicting stakeholder objectives.
·Build and maintain the reputation of the procurement service as a highly professional and enabling business partnering service.
·Champion procurement and promote the benefits of leading procurement practices internally and externally, resulting in procurement having a visible and high profile at all levels.
·Lead the negotiation of complex, multi-year contracts for services and subsequent contract management on behalf of the Trust.
·Develop and deliver commercial procurement strategies that cover multiple divisions requiring supplier innovation, senior stakeholder engagement, and/or market building/shaping.
·Support on the delivery of strategic procurement and commercial opportunities ensuring the long-term sustainable future of the Trust.
·Carry out procurements for contracts that require analysis, comparison and assessment.
·Critically assess markets and competitive behaviour undertaken by all suppliers within the relevant categories and take action to improve or protect the Trust’s interests across the whole contract life cycle.
·Provide specialist procurement advice to operational and corporate departments to support ongoing contract management.
·Co-ordinate clinical and operational engagement in the selection of new products and equipment including establishing equipment trials, designing feedback questionnaire, collating and reporting results.
·Ensure catalogues within the relevant categories are maintained and the electronic catalogue management system is maintained and updated.
·Responsible for ensuring that tender documentation is uploaded to the etendering system and for maintaining this system.
·Responsible for ensuring the contract award information is uploaded to the contract management system and for maintaining this information.
·Extract and analyse procurement data to develop and inform the strategic approach to specific procurements, to identify efficiency opportunities and inform the forward work-plan of the team.
·Authorise purchase orders and contracts in line with Trust Standing Financial Instructions and Delegated Financial Limits.
·Lead, develop and manage the category team, building a collaborative working environment and a culture of innovation and continuous improvement.
Full details can be found on the attached job description and person specification
This role is eligible for visa sponsorship under the UK Visas & Immigration (UKVI) Skilled Worker route. Sponsorship can only be provided where applicants meet the specific requirements set by UKVI, including the relevant skill and salary thresholds, and any role-specific criteria
Person specification
Experience/ Qualifications
Essential criteria
7. MCIPS Chartered Professional Status; AND additional professional development through taught courses, seminars or other workplace experience, equivalent to a masters level qualification or CIPS Level 7 Executive Diploma; OR MBA or Masters Degree in a relevant field e.g. Purchasing, Supply, Logistics, Business etc.
8. Experience of digital/IT procurement
Skills
Essential criteria
9. Able to present and explain complex commercial matters in formal and other settings to range of audiences
10. Able to develop policy and procedure for relevant category areas
Specific Requirements
Essential criteria
11. Experience in procurement leadership positions within a complex, service-delivery focussed organisation.
12. Knowledge and awareness of developments in NHS Procurement operating model.
13. Category knowledge and awareness appropriate to the category team
Desirable criteria
14. Knowledge and understanding of NHS Long Term plan and other policy developments that will affect the NHS
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
Essential criteria
15. Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues
16. Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role)
Important information for applicants:
A Note on AI Use in Applications
We value the individuality and authenticity that each candidate brings to the application process. While AI tools are increasingly accessible, we strongly discourage their use in completing your application. Your responses should reflect your own voice, experiences, and motivations—elements that are essential to a fair and accurate evaluation.
Applications that rely heavily on AI-generated content may misrepresent your abilities and could result in your application being rejected. We encourage you to take the time to present your genuine self, as this helps us better understand your potential and ensures a transparent selection process.
Closing Adverts Early: In the event of exceptional interest, we may close adverts earlier than specified.
Some of our adverts are capped for a limited number of applications; therefore, the advert will close once the cap has been reached. We therefore encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible if you are interested in the position to prevent you from missing out on applying for the opportunity.
Flexible Working: If you would like to explore potential options regarding flexible working please speak with the appropriate recruiting/line manager.
DBS Checks: As part of our commitment to a safe working environment, we undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service check on all new employees where the role is eligible for a criminal record check. We make offers in line with the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1975.
Skilled Worker Visa: Applications for Skilled Worker sponsorship are welcome for the roles that meet the Visa and Immigrations eligibility criteria. For further information please visit the gov.uk website searching for Skilled Worker. It is your responsibility as the applicant to ensure that you meet this criteria.
UHSussex reserves the right to close the role early if we receive a high volume of applications