Procurement Category Manager in Worcester

As part of the Procurement and Supply Team, we serve multiple sites within our Integrated Care System (ICS). This is an ideal opportunity to join us and make a real difference for the continued improvement of high-quality patient care for the communities that we serve. This is an important and instrumental role in supporting the delivery of value for money through proactive contract management and robust stakeholder management.

The successful candidate will report directly to the Senior Category Manager and provide strategic leadership and legal counsel to our Supply Chain and Procurement service based principally at the Alexandra Hospital in Redditch though providing service to all sites.

• Assist in the provision of a procurement service that supports customers in developing opportunities and achieving value for money.
• Work with the Senior Category Manager in the creation, development and delivery of the Directorates savings schemes.
• Ensure that the Trust carries out secure and compliant procurement processes to obtain best value for money in the procurement of all goods and services.
• Support the development and delivery of sourcing strategies from Trust non-pay spend.
• Lead OJEU and non-OJEU tender and supplier contracting initiatives for assigned categories.
• Contribute to the production of the annual sourcing work plan to meet key strategic objectives.
• Contribute to the implementation and development of departmental policies, procedures and strategies.

Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust is a large acute and specialised hospital trust that provides a range of local acute services to the residents of Worcestershire and more specialised services to a larger population in Herefordshire and beyond. Our workforce is more than 7,000 strong, and our caring staff are recognised as providing good and outstanding patient-centred care.

• Support the Senior Category Manager in ensuring all non-pay spend is governed by proficient procurement.
• Maintain overall understanding of Trust spend using various data sources.
• Engage and work closely with senior stakeholders to identify improvements and changes in practice.
• Develop and maintain relationships with stakeholders to maximise Procurement performance.
• Provide expert strategic procurement advice to stakeholders.
• Document, communicate and influence senior stakeholders to ensure effective buy-in to proposed category strategies.
• Lead on category management within one or more Categories under the direction of the Senior Category Manager.
• Manage and evaluate product trials.
• Produce project plans for each procurement to highlight key milestones.
• Monitor contracts to ensure contract governance is in place.
• Liaise with internal and external contacts to facilitate contractual coverage for non-compliant expenditure.
• Maintain an up-to-date understanding of Government and Department of Health directives.
• Deputise for the Senior Category Manager.
• Manage and deal with complaints and concerns from Directorates on supply issues.
• Provide advice on Terms and Conditions of Contracting and procurement legal issues.
• Communicate clearly and succinctly, using appropriate language for the audience.
• Respond to local clinical staff and potential or existing provider enquiries.
• Advise customers and implement legal or financial changes within EU, Public Contracts Regulations and Guidance.
• Assist the Senior Category Manager with implementation of Departmental policies, procedures and strategies.
• Carry out research and contribute advice on the introduction of new products.
• Represent Trust at national and regional events and projects.

Qualifications:

• Holds a professional procurement qualification or has relevant demonstrable senior procurement management experience.
• Good standard of General Education.
• Evidence of commitment to continuing professional development.

Experience:

• Demonstrate your procurement/category management within a large organisation.
• Explain how you have led, trained and developed your team.
• Describe the process of how you would analyse, interpret and communicate complex data.
• Demonstrable experience of carrying out high value procurements.

Skills and Knowledge:

• Thorough knowledge and understanding of Supply Chain Management, Contract processes and Contract Law.
• Understanding of customer requirements that are particular to the healthcare industry.
• Excellent negotiation skills with the ability to solve complex contracting problems innovatively.
• Ability to communicate effectively across all professions within the Trust.

Personal Qualities:

• Professional approach to all aspects of work.
• Proven ability to operate/think laterally and work on own initiative.
• Articulate with developed interpersonal communication and presentation skills.
• Creative, innovative and visionary mindset.
• Ability to influence and establish credibility with Board members.
• Results driven with a willingness to change and implement new ideas/concepts.