At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage oncology suppliers and ensure timely delivery of critical medicines and services.
- Company: Join a leading healthcare provider dedicated to improving patient outcomes.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days leave, private medical, and ongoing learning opportunities.
- Other info: Hybrid role with a supportive workplace culture and excellent career growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in cancer care while developing your procurement skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in healthcare procurement and strong analytical skills required.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.
Sciensus are looking to appoint a Category Specialist – Oncology into our procurement team. This is a new role and you’ll play a vital part in ensuring cancer patients receive the medicines, equipment, and services they need, exactly when they need them. It’s a hybrid working role, coming into our Burton office at least 2 days a week. If you thrive in a fast‑paced, highly regulated healthcare environment and want your work to directly impact patient outcomes, this role is for you.
You’ll become the expert link between pharmaceutical suppliers, internal clinical teams, and the wider supply chain — managing oncology product categories that are critical to life‑changing treatment. From forecasting demand and handling complex supply risks, to leading competitive sourcing and building strategic supplier relationships, you’ll ensure our oncology services remain resilient, efficient, compliant, and always centred around patient care.
What You’ll Be Doing
- Manage a portfolio of oncology and cancer‑care suppliers, driving performance and reliability.
- Lead sourcing activities (RFIs, RFPs, RFQs) and negotiate commercially strong contracts.
- Ensure ESG standards are embedded across supplier selection and performance monitoring.
- Proactively monitor and mitigate supply risks such as shortages, allocations, or discontinuations.
- Maintain optimal inventory levels aligned to patient demand and homecare service needs.
- Work closely with clinical, operational, pharmacy, and finance teams to deliver seamless service.
- Support framework compliance across NHS and pharma‑funded homecare contracts.
- Champion continuous improvement and ensure SOPs and regulatory requirements are upheld.
Your work will help secure the right products, from the right suppliers, at the right time — keeping our supply chain dependable and our patients supported.
What You Bring
- Significant experience in pharmaceutical or healthcare procurement.
- Strong knowledge of Good Distribution Practice (GDP).
- Proven skills in forecasting, purchasing, inventory management and issue resolution.
- Commercial acumen with experience navigating framework agreements and pricing.
- Strong analytical capability — Excel proficiency essential, Power BI a bonus.
- Familiarity with ERP systems (ideally Microsoft Dynamics 365).
- A collaborative communicator able to influence and build strong relationships.
- High attention to detail and governance mindset.
- CIPS Level 4 Diploma (or working towards) is required.
Benefits
- 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays.
- Yearly pay reviews.
- Contribution based pension scheme.
- Life assurance.
- Employee benefits platform (retailer discounts and much more).
- Private medical (after qualifying period).
- Ongoing learning and development opportunities.
- Annual company event.
- In the Burton Upon Trent office we have an onsite gym, canteen, prayer room, and quiet room.
Equal Opportunity Statement
We are a Disability Confident Committed Employer and we have also successfully gained the National Equality Standard (NES is the UK’s leading Equity, Diversity and Inclusion standard which was developed by the UK Government and the CBI). We are committed to the fair treatment of all candidates, regardless of race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, age or disability. We welcome applications from all and we select candidates based on skills, qualifications, and experience. Please talk to us during the application process to discuss any reasonable adjustments you may require.
Category Specialist - Oncology employer: PassFort
Sciensus is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment where your contributions directly enhance patient care in the oncology sector. With a strong focus on employee development, competitive benefits including private medical insurance and a supportive workplace culture, you will thrive in our Burton office, equipped with modern amenities like an onsite gym and canteen. Join us to make a meaningful impact while enjoying a balanced work-life through our hybrid working model.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Category Specialist - Oncology
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the oncology and healthcare procurement space. Attend industry events or webinars, and don’t be shy about connecting on LinkedIn. The more people you know, the better your chances of landing that dream job!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching Sciensus and understanding their mission. Be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their goals, especially around patient care and supply chain management. Show them you’re not just another candidate, but someone who truly cares about making a difference.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your negotiation skills! Since this role involves leading sourcing activities and negotiating contracts, brush up on your techniques. Role-play with a friend or use online resources to get comfortable discussing terms and prices confidently.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining our team at Sciensus and contributing to patient outcomes.
We think you need these skills to ace Category Specialist - Oncology
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV speaks directly to the role of Category Specialist – Oncology. Highlight your experience in pharmaceutical procurement and any relevant skills that align with the job description. We want to see how you can make a difference!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about oncology and how your background makes you the perfect fit for our team. Let us know what excites you about this role and how you can contribute.
Showcase Your Analytical Skills:Since strong analytical capability is key for this position, don’t forget to mention your proficiency in Excel and any experience with Power BI. We love seeing examples of how you've used data to drive decisions in your previous roles.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates from our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at PassFort
✨Know Your Oncology Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of oncology and the specific products you'll be managing. Familiarise yourself with current trends, challenges, and innovations in cancer care. This will not only show your passion for the field but also demonstrate that you're ready to hit the ground running.
✨Showcase Your Procurement Skills
Prepare examples of your experience in procurement, especially in healthcare or pharmaceuticals. Be ready to discuss how you've successfully managed supplier relationships, negotiated contracts, and handled supply risks. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses.
✨Demonstrate Analytical Prowess
Since strong analytical skills are crucial for this role, come prepared to discuss how you've used data analysis in your previous positions. If you have experience with Excel or Power BI, highlight specific projects where you leveraged these tools to drive decisions or improve processes.
✨Emphasise Collaboration
This role requires working closely with various teams, so be ready to talk about your collaborative experiences. Share examples of how you've influenced stakeholders or built strong relationships across departments. Show that you can communicate effectively and work as part of a team to achieve common goals.