At a Glance
- Tasks: Support the Category Manager in maximising opportunities and managing contracts for the NHS.
- Company: Join NWSSP, a key player in NHS procurement services in Wales.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working, competitive benefits, and a commitment to your personal development.
- Other info: Embrace an inclusive culture focused on continuous improvement and teamwork.
- Why this job: Make a positive impact on the NHS while developing your career in procurement.
- Qualifications: CIPS Level 4/NVQ 2/3 or equivalent experience required.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 42000 £ per year.
If you are looking to join NWSSP, please see the additional information below that may be of interest to you.
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 two Procurement Category Officers within the Clinical Sourcing team (Pathology & POCT Categories). If you're looking for a career in Procurement that keeps you motivated, offers potential for personal development and puts you in a position to make a positive difference to the NHS in Wales, then NWSSP Procurement Services has a career that will interest you. The base would be St Asaph in North Wales, however hybrid working is a benefit of this role, the successful candidate will be office based 2/3 days per week.
Main duties of the job
The successful applicant will support the Category Manager to maximise opportunities, contract rationalisation, and ensure value for money. This will include the identification of demand through to the award and management of contracts, in line with the workplan ensuring compliance with organisational standards and relevant legislation.
The ideal candidate will have office experience with an understanding of basic purchasing principles, keen analytical skills, and strong IT knowledge. The ability to speak Welsh is desirable for this post; Welsh and/or English 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.
Detailed Job Description And Main Responsibilities
You will be able to find a full Job description and Person Specification attached within the supporting documents or please click “Apply now” to view in Trac.
Person specification
- Qualification and Knowledge
- Essential criteria
- Qualified to CIPS Level 4/NVQ 2/3 or equivalent experience
- 5 GCSEs at Grade C and above including Maths & English or equivalent experience
- Desirable criteria
- 2 A Levels or equivalent
- Have or working towards recognised standard in use of IT systems e.g. ECDL, Flexiqual
- Experience
- Essential criteria
- Proven ability to establish and enhance effective working relationships with stakeholders
- Desirable criteria
- Previous work experience in a contracting function: e.g. able to construct specifications, appraise suppliers, invite tenders & evaluate bids, terms and conditions of contact.
- Experience of managing staff
- Ability to analyse and interpret complex data sets
- General understanding of the Procure to Pay process.
- Awareness of Business planning principles
- Working knowledge of quality systems and procedures including problem solving techniques
- Previous experience of working in an office environment
- Knowledge of best practice, benchmarking and performance measurement techniques
- Skills and Attributes
- Essential criteria
- Ability to work to deadlines
- Dynamic approach to work
- Numerate
- Articulate
- Competent in the use of Microsoft Products
- Proven ability to prepare documentation utilising Microsoft products that are both structurally and grammatically correct and capable of final presentation
- Excellent organisational skills
- Proven communication skills
- Excellent interpersonal skills
- Ability to follow work through to completion
- Ability to work positively as part of a team
- Desirable criteria
- Welsh Language Skills are desirable levels 1 to 5 in understanding, speaking, reading and writing in Welsh
- Other
- Essential criteria
- Ability to travel (public and/or private) off site for meetings (as appropriate) throughout Wales and other parts of the UK
- Deliver excellent customer service to our internal and external customers, helping us to maintain the customer service excellence standard
Applicant requirements
Welsh language skills are desirable.
Category Officer employer: NWSSP Legal & Risk Services
NWSSP Legal & Risk Services is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and flexible work environment that prioritises employee well-being and professional growth. With opportunities for career advancement within the NHS framework, our team thrives on collaboration and clear communication, ensuring that every member feels valued and empowered to make a meaningful impact in the healthcare sector.
Contact Details:
NWSSP Legal & Risk Services Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Category Officer
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company! Before your interview, check out NWSSP's values and mission. This will help you align your answers with what they care about, showing you're a great fit for their team.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice makes perfect! Run through common interview questions with a friend or in front of the mirror. The more comfortable you are speaking about your experience, the better you'll come across during the real deal.
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your skills! Bring examples of your past work that demonstrate your analytical skills and understanding of procurement processes. This will give you a chance to shine and prove you can handle the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to follow up! After your interview, send a quick thank-you email. It shows your enthusiasm for the role and keeps you fresh in their minds as they make their decision.
We think you need these skills to ace Category Officer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Be Yourself:We want to see the real you! Don’t be afraid to let your personality shine through in your application. Authenticity is key, so share your unique experiences and how they relate to the role.
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application for the Category Officer position. Highlight relevant skills and experiences that align with the job description, especially your understanding of procurement processes and analytical skills.
Showcase Your Skills:Use specific examples to demonstrate your skills and achievements. Whether it’s your IT knowledge or your ability to work in a team, concrete examples will help us see how you can contribute to NWSSP.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to apply through our official website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us directly. Plus, you’ll find all the info you need about the role and our organisation there.
How to prepare for a job interview at NWSSP Legal & Risk Services
✨Know Your Procurement Basics
Make sure you brush up on your understanding of the Procure to Pay process and basic purchasing principles. Being able to discuss these concepts confidently will show that you're prepared and knowledgeable about the role.
✨Showcase Your Analytical Skills
Prepare examples of how you've used analytical skills in previous roles. Whether it's interpreting complex data sets or evaluating bids, having specific instances ready will demonstrate your capability to handle the responsibilities of a Category Officer.
✨Emphasise Teamwork and Communication
Since the role involves working closely with stakeholders, be ready to talk about your experience in building effective working relationships. Highlight any teamwork experiences where you successfully collaborated to achieve a common goal.
✨Familiarise Yourself with NWSSP Values
Take some time to understand the values of NWSSP, such as Listening and Learning, Working Together, and Innovating. During the interview, align your answers with these values to show that you’re a good cultural fit for the organisation.
