Job overview
****** THIS POSITION IS ONLY OPEN TO CURRENT UNIVERSITY HOSPITALS NHS FOUNDATION TRUST EMPLOYEES ******
The Medical and Surgical Category Manager is a key role in the team, working closely with the Head of Category and the wider team to deliver an excellent stakeholder focused procurement service for the trust. To lead on procurement for a range of goods and services within a defined category, ensuring the distribution of non-pay expenditure within the category is applied in the most cost-effective manner ensuring timely delivery to all wards and departments. To be regarded and recognised as the category lead for their designated area throughout the wider organisation.
Prior to submission of your application for any internal secondment or fixed term post, please ensure that you have discussed this with your line manager to obtain their approval. If you do not have written approval from your current line manager to take this position if successful as an internal secondment opportunity, it would be offered as a fixed term position
Main duties of the job
The Category Manager will work as part of a category team to buildrelationships externally with suppliers and NHS Category Towers and internally as a business partner to operational and corporate departments. The Category Manager will use their market and service knowledge 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 Category Manager will also ensure the provision of procurement advice to operational and corporate departments to support ongoing contract management.
The category manager for medical and surgical categories will also be responsible for the day to day management of the category buyers, managing the processing of ad hoc requisitions and the preparation and ongoing management of contract catalogues.
This is a key role within the team and the successful candidate will have the opportunity of working in a fast paced and critical service delivery team within the procurement function.
Working for our organisation
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
This role is eligible for visa sponsorship under the UK Visas & Immigration (UKVI) Skilled Worker route however sponsorship can only be provided where applicants meet the specific requirements set by UKVI, including the relevant skill and salary thresholds (£25000), and any role-specific criteria.
Communication
·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 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.
Service Delivery and Improvement
·Develop and deliver commercial procurement strategies at a divisional level requiring senior stakeholder engagement.
·Deliver commercial procurement strategies that cover multiple divisions.
·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.
·Ensure the provision of 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.
·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.
People Management and Development
·Day to day management of staff in the category team.
·Support the learning and development of the category team.
Patient Care Delivery
·Provide assistance to patients and visitors during incidental contact.
·Liaison and engagement with patients, patient representatives and patient advocates on specific projects as part of stakeholder engagement.
Learning and Development
·Attend mandatory training updates as required.
·Undertake training as necessary in line with the development of the post and as agreed with the line manager as part of the personal development process.
·Achieve and demonstrate agreed standards of personal and professional development within agreed timescales.
·Identify own learning needs and jointly plan training requirements with your line manager
·Participate in the Trust’s appraisal process to discuss how your role will help deliver the best possible care to our patients and help to deliver any changes in service.
Person specification
Category Management Experience
Essential criteria
1. Substantial years category management experience
2. Substantial years procurement experience
3. Experience of NHS Procurement Processes and Systems
4. MCIPS Charted Professional Status; OR BA Hons Degree in relevant field e.g. Purchasing, Supply, Logistics, Business; AND additional professional development through taught courses, seminars or other workplace experience, equivalent to level required for MCIPS Chartered Professional Status; OR Equivalent experience within a complex, service-delivery focussed organisation.
Desirable criteria
5. MCIPS or similar, or other workplace experience
Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion
Essential criteria
6. Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role)
7. Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues
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