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- Tasks: Lead exciting health projects and shape the future of the NHS through strategic sourcing.
- Company: Join NHS Shared Business Services, a key player in healthcare procurement.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, competitive salary, and generous leave options.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in healthcare while developing your career in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in procurement within the NHS or public sector is essential.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for professional growth and development.
The predicted salary is between 32000 - 48000 £ per year.
Can you see yourself joining an established procurement team as Category Manager, supporting several upcoming exciting health projects and helping to shape the future of the NHS? We are looking for a Category Manager to join our healthcare team! Our corporate Procurement services cover framework agreements, consultancy, and procurement function, all delivered by skilled teams through efficient technology platforms. You will lead a delegated category portfolio to implement strategic sourcing and partner management, lower costs, deliver savings targets, and strengthen relationships with key suppliers.
This position is predominantly home based, but there is an expectation to attend meetings at our Salford office once or twice per month or where business needs are required. Our modern Salford office sits in an iconic waterfront location positioned on the historic Manchester Ship Canal.
NHS Shared Business Services offers great career progression. We have benefits which you can flex to meet your needs and training and development opportunities.
What you will be doing:
- Providing a procurement support function for clients and handling tender activity appropriate to category through to contract award.
- Taking an active role in developing the annual work plan and implementing policy, supplying to short and long-term category strategies.
- Reviewing, negotiating, re-negotiating and drafting contracts for cost optimisation and savings targets.
- Taking the lead across a complex high value project portfolio, building knowledge and expertise.
- Developing and improving key supplier relationships and exploring new business opportunities.
- Working with clients to develop constructive relationships with operational contract managers, providing support to ensure effective delivery of outcomes.
What you’ll bring:
- Experience of PCR 2015, EU/UK regulations and company policies, Provider Selection Regime and the New Procurement Act 2023.
- Experience of working in procurement, commissioning, bid writing or contract management team within the NHS/Healthcare Sector/Public Sector.
- Knowledge and skill in procurement process, including scoping, briefing, tendering, selection, contract negotiation, service level agreements, and management of suppliers.
- Reporting and providing evidence to the procurement team of savings and benefits delivered through the effective management of the vendor base.
- Knowledge and experience in conducting market research.
- Validated analytic skills (analysis of information, interpreting and communicating findings).
It would be great if you had:
- Working experience gained within the health sector and understanding of health contracts.
- CIPS level 4, working towards or willingness to achieve.
If you are interested in this role but not sure if your skills and experience are exactly what we’re looking for, please do apply, we’d love to hear from you!
Employment Type: Full-time Permanent
Location: Salford
Security Clearance Level: DBS
Internal Recruiter: Rachel
Salary: Up to £40,000 per annum
Benefits: 25 days annual leave with the choice to buy additional days, health cash plan, life assurance, pension, and generous flexible benefits fund.
Although this role is advertised as full-time, we believe that flexibility at work can promote work/life balance, increase your motivation, reduce stress and improve performance and productivity. We support different ways of working and can offer a range of flexible working arrangements. So, if you’re interested and need to work flexibly, we encourage you to apply and talk to us about what might be possible.
NHS Shared Business Services (NHS SBS) was created by the Department of Health and Social Care to deliver corporate services to the NHS. A unique joint venture with Sopra Steria, a European leader in digital services and software development, we make life easier for NHS employees, patients, and suppliers, and deliver value for money to the taxpayer. Proud members of the NHS family, we provide finance & accounting, digital, procurement and workforce services to more than half the NHS in England, and our solutions are underpinned by cutting-edge technologies and our teams’ expertise, in-depth understanding of the NHS, and commitment to service excellence.
We share common values and unity of purpose with the rest of the NHS family, are committed to being a force for good, and are dedicated and empowered to act responsibly and sustainably at organisational, team and individual level.
Would you like to join us on our journey?
Category Manager (Health) in London employer: Sopra Steria - UK
Contact Detail:
Sopra Steria - UK Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Category Manager (Health) in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the healthcare procurement field on LinkedIn or at industry events. A friendly chat can lead to opportunities that aren’t even advertised yet.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its projects. Show us you’re genuinely interested in how you can contribute to the NHS and its goals. Tailor your answers to reflect your understanding of their needs.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your negotiation skills! As a Category Manager, you’ll need to demonstrate your ability to negotiate contracts effectively. Role-play scenarios with friends or mentors to build confidence.
✨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, we love hearing from passionate candidates who want to make a difference in the NHS.
We think you need these skills to ace Category Manager (Health) in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Category Manager role. Highlight your experience in procurement and any relevant projects you've worked on, especially in the health sector. We want to see how your skills align with our needs!
Showcase Your Achievements: Don’t just list your responsibilities; share specific examples of how you’ve delivered savings or improved supplier relationships in previous roles. We love seeing quantifiable results that demonstrate your impact!
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use clear language and avoid jargon unless it’s relevant to the role. We appreciate a well-structured application that’s easy to read!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to submit your application through our website. It’s the best way to ensure it gets to the right people. Plus, you’ll find all the details about the role and our company there!
How to prepare for a job interview at Sopra Steria - UK
✨Know Your Procurement Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of PCR 2015, EU/UK regulations, and the New Procurement Act 2023. Being able to discuss these topics confidently will show that you're not just familiar with the basics but are also ready to tackle the complexities of the role.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare specific examples from your past work in procurement or contract management, especially within the NHS or public sector. Highlight how you've successfully handled tender activities or negotiated contracts to meet savings targets. This will demonstrate your hands-on experience and problem-solving skills.
✨Build Relationships
Since this role involves developing key supplier relationships, think about how you can convey your interpersonal skills during the interview. Share stories about how you've built constructive relationships with clients or suppliers in the past, and be ready to discuss your approach to managing those relationships effectively.
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Expect to face scenario-based questions that assess your analytical skills and decision-making process. Practice responding to hypothetical situations related to procurement challenges, such as how you would handle a difficult negotiation or optimise costs in a complex project. This will help you demonstrate your critical thinking abilities.
