At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the transformation of procurement across three hospitals, enhancing patient care and financial sustainability.
- Company: Norfolk & Waveney University Hospitals Group, focused on people and culture.
- Benefits: Flexible working hours, generous pension, discounted gym memberships, and career development support.
- Other info: Join a dynamic team committed to innovation and excellence in healthcare services.
- Why this job: Shape the future of healthcare procurement and make a real impact on 1.2 million lives.
- Qualifications: Master's degree and senior leadership experience in procurement or commercial environments.
The predicted salary is between 112782 - 129783 £ per year.
This is a rare opportunity to shape the future of procurement and supply chain services across Norfolk and Waveney University Hospitals Group. We have created this new role to lead the development of a single Group procurement service, bringing together three established Trust teams into one high-performing, collaborative function.
Our Group was established in May 2025, bringing together three Trusts under a shared strategic leadership model. Together, we serve approximately 1.2 million people and employ more than 16,000 colleagues across one of England's largest and most geographically dispersed acute healthcare systems.
The role reflects our ambition to build a modern, commercially focused and insight-led function that supports excellent patient care, strengthens financial sustainability and delivers greater value through collaboration, standardisation and scale.
This opportunity is about far more than procurement. The successful candidate will lead the sensitive integration of three established teams into a single Group service, creating a shared identity, consistent standards and a more strategic approach to procurement and supply chain management. This will require strong people leadership, a clear vision and the ability to unite colleagues behind a common purpose while retaining the local relationships and operational responsiveness.
Main duties of the job:
- This is a genuinely Group-wide appointment. The Group Chief Financial Officer and the Chief Finance Officers of all three Trusts are fully aligned behind this ambition and strongly committed to making the new service a success.
- The postholder will have the visibility, sponsorship and executive support needed to strengthen commercial capability, improve value, enhance supplier partnerships and contribute to major strategic programmes, including corporate service integration, digital transformation and significant capital investment.
- We have talented teams, strong foundations and committed leadership. What we now need is an exceptional leader who can set a clear direction and establish procurement and supply chain services as a trusted strategic partner across the Group.
For the right individual, this is an opportunity to build something lasting and create meaningful impact across three hospitals serving 1.2 million people. I hope you will be inspired by the scale of the opportunity and the challenge ahead.
About us:
The newly formed Norfolk & Waveney University Hospitals Group (NWUHG) is placing people and culture at the heart of its transformation. By working as one system, the Group is strengthening workforce development, improving staff experience, and creating consistent, supportive leadership across all three hospitals. This unified approach enables better training, enhanced well-being support, and a stronger culture rooted in compassion, flexibility, and continuous learning.
Focusing on people also supports national priorities--ensuring the workforce is skilled, adaptable, and ready for future models of care--and strengthens NWUHG's overall performance by improving quality, resilience, and sustainability.
Together, this creates a Groupwide commitment to making NWUHG a great place to work, with clear benefits for staff including:
- Flexible working hours
- Fast Track Staff Physiotherapy Service
- Multi Faith prayer room at NNUH Colney Lane site
- Discounted gym memberships
- Generous pension scheme and annual leave entitlement
- Wagestream - access up to 40% of your pay as you earn it
- Free Park & Ride service direct to NNUH Colney Lane site
- Free 24-hours confidential counselling support
- On-site Nursery at NNUH Colney Lane
- On-site cafes offering staff discounts at NNUH Colney Lane
- Support in career development
- Flexible staff bank
- Salary Sacrifice schemes including lease cars, Cycle to Work scheme and home electronics
Details:
- Date posted: 04 November 2026
- Pay scheme: Agenda for change
- Band: Band 9
- Salary: £112,782 to £129,783 a year per annum
- Contract: Permanent
- Working pattern: Full-time, Flexible working
- Reference number: 234-26-GROUP-GPD
- Job locations: Centrum, Norwich, NR4 7UG, United Kingdom
Job responsibilities:
- Develop and implement a Group procurement and commercial strategy aligned with clinical, financial and corporate priorities.
- Create a consistent operating model for category management, sourcing, purchasing, contract management, supplier relationship management and commercial assurance.
- Lead sustainable savings and value improvement programmes without compromising quality, safety or patient outcomes.
- Improve visibility and control of third-party expenditure through high-quality data, governance and digital processes.
- Embed social value, sustainability, resilience, innovation and responsible procurement into commercial decision-making.
Person Specification:
Qualifications:
- Essential: Master's degree or equivalent level of knowledge and capability acquired through senior professional experience
- Full membership of the Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply (MCIPS), or equivalent senior procurement and commercial professional standing.
- Desirable: Senior leadership or management qualification, or equivalent experience. Relevant programme or project management qualification.
Experience:
- Essential: Substantial senior leadership experience in a large, complex and multi-stakeholder procurement or commercial environment
- Successful track record of leading strategic procurement, category management, sourcing, purchasing, contract management and supplier relationship management.
- Experience of developing and implementing procurement and commercial strategies.
- Desirable: Senior procurement leadership experience within the NHS or a comparable regulated public service environment. Experience of working across a group, shared service, integrated care system or multi-organisation partnership.
Skills:
- Essential: Expert knowledge of UK public procurement, commercial and contract management principles relevant to healthcare and the wider public sector.
- Advanced commercial judgement, financial acumen and understanding of whole-life value.
- Ability to translate complex legislation, data and commercial issues into clear advice and practical action.
- Ability to establish governance, performance and assurance frameworks across multiple organisations and sites.
- Desirable: Experience of responsible procurement, social value, sustainability and supply chain resilience. Experience of data-led category management, e-procurement or purchase-to-pay improvement.
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications.
Applicants must have current UK professional registration.
Group Procurement Director in Norfolk employer: National Health Service
Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and collaborative work environment for healthcare professionals in North Wales. With a commitment to employee development and a focus on compassionate care, staff have access to continuous professional development opportunities and the chance to make a meaningful impact in both acute and community paediatrics. The Health Board's integrated approach ensures that employees are part of a dynamic team dedicated to improving health outcomes for the local population.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Group Procurement Director in Norfolk
✨Get Savvy with Industry Perks
Join procurement and purchasing forums or groups where pros hang out, like CIPS (Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply). They'll share the inside scoop on job openings that might not show up on traditional job boards!
✨Show Off Your Skills
Consider creating a portfolio that outlines your achievements in procurement, like cost-saving initiatives or supplier management strategies. Having tangible evidence of your skills can really set you apart when applying to companies like National Health Service.
✨Tap into Your Network
Leverage LinkedIn to connect with professionals in procurement—follow relevant hashtags, join groups, and engage in discussions. This is a great way to get noticed by potential employers before they even post a job!
✨Keep Your Eyes on Job Boards
With full-time positions, timing can be everything. Set alerts on job boards specifically for procurement roles. Don't wait for a job posting to close; apply through our website as soon as you see a fit—being proactive can give you the edge!
We think you need these skills to ace Group Procurement Director in Norfolk
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Procurement Know-How:When you're crafting your CV, make sure to highlight any procurement-specific skills you've got. Talk about your experience with supplier negotiations, cost analysis, or inventory management. If you’ve used software like SAP or Oracle, don’t forget to mention that too – it shows you know your way around the tech side of things!
Quantify Your Achievements:In procurement, numbers matter. Use your CV and cover letter to showcase any quantifiable achievements you've made in reducing costs or improving efficiencies. For example, mentioning that you helped save 20% on purchasing costs last year is way more impressive than just saying you managed the budget!
Tailor Your Cover Letter to National Health Service:Your cover letter should read like you’re chatting directly to National Health Service. Research the company’s procurement strategy, mention how your skills align with their goals, and share your enthusiasm for contributing to their success. This personal touch can really set you apart from the crowd!
Professional Certs Can Go a Long Way:If you've got any procurement-related certifications, such as CIPS or APICS, make sure they're front and centre on your CV. These qualifications show you're serious about your career in procurement and are committed to continuous learning. It’s a great way to signal your expertise and dedication to potential employers like National Health Service.
How to prepare for a job interview at National Health Service
✨Show Off Your Negotiation Skills
In procurement, strong negotiation skills are key. Be ready to share examples of past negotiations where you've successfully saved costs or improved supplier terms. We want to hear how you approached those situations and the strategies you used to achieve positive outcomes!
✨Know Your Tools
Make sure you’re familiar with procurement software and tools commonly used in the industry, such as SAP Ariba or Coupa. Come prepared to discuss any experiences you've had with these tools or similar platforms, as we need someone who can hit the ground running at National Health Service!
✨Understand Market Trends
As a procurement professional, being aware of market trends can set you apart. Brush up on recent developments in supply chain management or procurement best practices and think about how they could impact your role at National Health Service. Bringing a current perspective will show your enthusiasm for the industry.
✨Demonstrate Your Team Player Attitude
A full-time position means you'll be working closely with various teams. Be prepared to discuss how you collaborate with others, manage conflicts, and build relationships with stakeholders. Sharing anecdotes about past teamwork experiences will highlight your ability to fit into National Health Service's culture.
