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 Medicines Sourcing 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; relationship management of internal and external stakeholders
To be successful in this post, the candidate will be of a continuous improvement mindset; need to be flexible and responsive to changes in priorities; be of a resilient personality; demonstrable track record in delivering creative and innovative service improvement solutions; manage heavy workload at pace; ensure policies and procedures are adhered to ensuring strategic and operational targets are delivered.
Although preferred, it is not essential to have experience of this category, as this learning can be provided as part of 'on the job' training and procurement/commercial skills are transferable.
The organisation recognises the challenges of recruiting high calibre candidates and has a number of bases across Wales. Whilst the preferred base would be Newport, hybrid working is a benefit of this role, ideally the successful candidate will be office based/home based / days per week and discussions may be held in this regard with the successful candidate.
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 Deputy Head of National Sourcing in the delivery a National Sourcing category strategy for Pharmacy.
Work with the team 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 Pharmacy National Sourcing Team.
Ensure the operational management and performance monitoring of the whole Procurement team in line with departmental Key Performance Indicators (KPI’s).Support the Deputy Head in responding to FOI and Audit and Assurance queries.
The ability to speak Welsh is desirable for this post; English and/or Welsh speakers are equally welcome to apply.
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
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.