Procurement Category Manager

Main area: Corporate Procurement Category (Digital, Estates, Wider Corporate)

Grade Band: 5

Contract: 6 months (This post is fixed term, however, existing Trust employees are welcome to apply as a secondment providing they have agreement from their current line manager before they apply)

Hours: Full time - 37.5 hours per week

Job ref: 426-235-26CC-B

Site: The Queen Elizabeth Hospital Kings Lynn

Town: Kings Lynn

Salary: £32,073 - £39,043 per annum pro rata

Salary period: Yearly

Closing: 16/09/2026 23:59

Job overview: 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. The role includes leading on all strategic procurement with a value of >£50k associated with the defined category, managing procurement exercises in accordance with Trust Standing Financial Instructions and current Public Contracts Regulations and identifying and achieving cost improvements ensuring CIP targets are met or exceeded. To act as an ambassador for the Procurement Department, influence Trust staff regarding choice of products (cost and quality) and make sure all queries and complaints are dealt with in a professional and positive manner. Use category knowledge and expertise to persuade and drive positive change within the wider organisation and regional health system.

Main duties of the job:

• Take the lead on defined category, be recognised within the Trust as the category authority.
• Work closely with managers and staff in procurement matters and provide sound professional/technical advice and information in order to achieve continuous improvements.
• Working with managers and staff informally and through Product Advisory Groups or similar to regularly review products, rationalise usage, minimise costs, and identify and achieve quality and/or cost improvements.
• To represent the Trust regionally and nationally in relation to defined category.
• Identify with and help deliver key department goals.
• Take an active role in the development and delivery of the annual Procurement work plan by various procurement techniques.
• Support market, supplier and product research to inform best value purchases.
• Take responsibility for the purchase of goods by delivering contracts and develop new and innovative methods of evaluating quotation returns to maximise commercial opportunities.
• Support activity on contracting/tendering for goods and services including providing management information when required.

Person specification:

Qualifications/training and professional development:

• CIPS member / working towards, Graduate in Business/similar or qualified by experience.

Experience:

• Purchasing & Supplies gained in the NHS.
• In-depth understanding of the Public Procurement Regulations.
• Managing staff.
• Demonstrable experience in the use of the Atamis Health Commercial System at intermediate level.

Skills, abilities, and knowledge:

• NHS Purchasing / Supply Chain.
• Ability to prioritise workload and meet deadlines.
• Ability to interpret and communicate financial information.
• Ability to work accurately, methodically, systematically and using own initiative whilst under pressure.
• Confident with presentation skills.

Applications are welcome from anyone who meets the criteria specified in the person specification regardless of age, gender, disability, race, ethnicity, religion, belief, sexual orientation or other personal circumstances. Only those applicants who demonstrate in the application form how they meet the criteria in the person specification will be shortlisted for interview.

We offer our staff a wide range of benefits and support including:

• Flexible working opportunities.
• Free counselling service.
• Access to Stream - an app-based service that provides instant earned wage access.
• Support and advice for staff affected by either Perimenopause or Menopause.
• Opportunity to join our Staff Networks which include Armed Forces, REACH (Race, Ethnicity and Culture Heritage), Disability and LGBTQ+ networks.

The Queen Elizabeth Hospital King's Lynn NHS Foundation Trust is committed to safe and fair recruitment practices. We do not charge any fees for applications, recruitment processes, sponsorship arrangements or offers of employment. All vacancies are advertised through our official recruitment channels and all recruitment communications will come from authorised Trust representatives using official contact details.