At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a team to shape healthcare procurement and improve NHS services.
- Company: Join NHS SBS, a vital part of the NHS family, making a real difference.
- Benefits: Up to £60,000 salary, flexible working, generous leave, and private medical insurance.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for professional growth and impactful work.
- Why this job: Your expertise can genuinely change lives in healthcare construction.
- Qualifications: Experience in procurement and team management; public sector knowledge is a plus.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 € per year.
Help shape the future of healthcare construction. Your expertise could genuinely change lives. If you’re a construction procurement professional looking for a role where your skills make a real difference, this could be the next step you’ve been waiting for!
At NHS SBS, we’re growing our Construction Category Team and are now looking for a Senior Category Manager to lead and deliver one of our major frameworks: Healthcare Planning. You’ll be joining an award‑winning team that plays a vital part in improving NHS healthcare across the country.
We know that experienced procurement professionals value balanced working too. That’s why we fully support flexible working, with monthly collaboration meet-ups in our Salford office and occasional travel to client sites, exhibitions, and conferences.
What you will be doing:
- Lead, mentor and support a talented team of healthcare procurement specialists at different stages in their careers.
- Working closely within the Health Category to ensure effective management and delivery of portfolio framework agreements.
- Develop short and long-term category strategies that improve resilience, unlock value, and align with wider business objectives.
- Use data and insight to spot opportunities for cost savings, process improvements, and supply chain efficiencies.
- Oversee a portfolio of high-value projects, influencing key procurement decisions and raising overall quality.
- Present confidently to Senior Leadership, contributing to discussions at formal Board-level settings.
- Work closely with Service Directorates, Heads of Procurement and senior NHS leaders to provide robust national procurement support.
- Negotiate effectively with suppliers to ensure every aspect of the category — from product to service delivery — meets stakeholder needs.
What you will bring:
- Public sector procurement is beneficial but not essential.
- CIPS accreditation and knowledge of PCR 2015, PA23, and associated policies is useful but not essential.
- Experience managing and developing direct reports, helping them grow and strengthen their procurement capability is crucial.
- Growth of frameworks and dealing with suppliers’ experience is required.
- Ability to present category performance to the SLT in formal ‘Board’ settings.
- Experience managing risk in healthcare supply chains — from insolvency issues to geopolitical disruptions — and crafting effective contingency plans.
- Strong market awareness and an eye on emerging industry trends.
- Excellent stakeholder skills, grounded in commercial awareness and practical problem‑solving.
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: Nationwide – with monthly onsite visits to the Salford Office
Security Clearance Level: DBS
Internal Recruiter: Adrian
Salary: up to £60,000 per annum depending upon experience and development needs
Benefits: £5,400 cash alternative car allowance, 25 days annual leave with the option to buy extra days, 4 x death in service life assurance, private medical insurance, pension, 3 days paid volunteering, 5 days paid carers leave and a generous flexible benefits fund which you can take in cash.
We support many 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. 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?
Senior Category Manager (Health) in Salford employer: Sopra Steria
At NHS Shared Business Services, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that values the contributions of our team members in shaping the future of healthcare. With a strong focus on employee growth, we offer flexible working arrangements, generous benefits including a cash alternative car allowance and private medical insurance, and a supportive work culture that encourages collaboration and innovation. Join our award-winning team in Salford and make a meaningful impact on the NHS while enjoying a fulfilling career in procurement.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Category Manager (Health) in Salford
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the healthcare and construction sectors. Attend industry events or webinars, and don’t be shy about introducing yourself to potential employers. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews! Research NHS SBS and understand their values and mission. Think about how your experience aligns with their goals in healthcare procurement. We want to see you shine, so practice your responses to common interview questions and have some insightful questions ready for them too!
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your achievements! When you get the chance to present your experience, focus on specific examples where you’ve made a difference in procurement. Use data and insights to back up your claims. We love numbers, so if you can show how you’ve saved costs or improved processes, you’ll definitely stand out!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up! After an interview, send a quick thank-you email to express your appreciation for the opportunity. It’s a simple gesture that can leave a lasting impression. And remember, if you’re keen on this role, apply through our website – we’d love to hear from you!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Category Manager (Health) in Salford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that align with the Senior Category Manager role. Highlight your procurement expertise, especially in healthcare, and any leadership experience you have. We want to see how you can make a real difference!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about healthcare procurement and how your background makes you a perfect fit for our team. Don’t forget to mention your interest in flexible working arrangements!
Showcase Your Achievements:When detailing your past roles, focus on specific achievements that demonstrate your ability to lead teams and manage high-value projects. We love numbers, so if you’ve saved costs or improved processes, let us know the figures!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity. Plus, we’d love to hear from you, even if you’re unsure about meeting all the criteria!
How to prepare for a job interview at Sopra Steria
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on the latest trends in healthcare procurement and construction. Familiarise yourself with key policies like PCR 2015 and PA23, even if they’re not essential. This will show that you’re proactive and genuinely interested in the role.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've led and mentored teams in the past. Highlight specific instances where your guidance helped team members grow or improved procurement processes. This is crucial for a Senior Category Manager role, so make it count!
✨Data-Driven Decision Making
Be ready to discuss how you’ve used data and insights to drive cost savings and improve efficiencies in previous roles. Bring along any relevant metrics or case studies that demonstrate your impact. Numbers speak volumes!
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Think about how you’ve successfully managed relationships with stakeholders in the past. Prepare to share strategies you’ve used to negotiate effectively with suppliers and ensure their needs align with stakeholder expectations. This will show your commercial awareness and problem-solving skills.
