At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the PPE category strategy for national pandemic preparedness and ensure supply chain resilience.
- Company: Join a vital team within the DHSC, shaping the UK's health emergency response.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working, competitive salary, generous holiday, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Collaborate with senior stakeholders and drive innovation in healthcare supply chains.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in public health by managing critical PPE supplies for future emergencies.
- Qualifications: Experience in procurement and strategic management is essential.
The predicted salary is between 63000 - 77000 £ per year.
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Category Lead to support the PPE category within the DHSC’s pandemic preparedness programme – a nationally critical capability underpinning the UK’s ability to respond to future health emergencies. The post-holder will be responsible for shaping and delivering the strategy for a stockpile exceeding 100,000 pallets and representing over £150m of public investment. The role ensures PPE supply is resilient, cost-effective, and operationally viable, with sufficient readiness to support the UK through the first wave of a future pandemic. The role operates across DHSC, NHS Supply Chain, and the wider health system, requiring close collaboration with senior stakeholders and suppliers to deliver national priorities.
Our Category Leads will manage a specific portfolio of category strategies, delivering full category management for the area. They will have responsibility for the delivery of the category KPIs, driving savings and value along with growing market share and ensuring continuity of supply. This role will have line management responsibility for the Category Managers, Category Buyers and Procurement Assistants (where applicable) in the specific category area. The Category Leads will have accountability for building cross functional relationships with the wider organisation and externally with stakeholders, with the aim of identifying and implementing improvements in our ways of working that will create efficiencies for the organisation as well as improved value and service for our NHS customers.
Every day you will …
- Develop and deliver the national PPE category strategy, ensuring stockpile readiness aligned with preparedness objectives, commercial priorities, and regulatory requirements.
- Lead the transformation of PPE supply chains through innovative solutions such as supplier-managed inventory, stock rotation programmes, and the adoption of reusable PPE, improving resilience and sustainability.
- Manage a high-value PPE portfolio, delivering significant cost savings, cost avoidance, and value-for-money outcomes while reducing financial exposure from expiring or obsolete stock.
- Provide expert commercial and strategic advice to senior stakeholders, supporting governance, ministerial approvals, and informed decision-making across complex procurement activities.
- Build and maintain strong partnerships with DHSC, NHS Supply Chain, NHS providers, and suppliers to enhance supplier performance, strengthen market capability, and improve operational readiness.
- Identify and mitigate key risks relating to supply disruption, stock expiry, and financial exposure, ensuring successful delivery of programmes and workplan objectives on time, to quality standards, and in support of the UK’s pandemic response preparedness.
What can we offer you? We want to reward you for your passion, enthusiasm, and hard work so we offer much more than a competitive salary:
- Hybrid working opportunities, giving you the flexibility to work collaboratively in the office and remotely.
- We recognise our employees’ hard work and contributions with annual bonus schemes, long service, and colleagues’ recognition awards.
- 27 days holiday plus bank holidays, with the option to purchase an additional 5 days.
- We are dedicated to your development, through in-house training, support, and access to external qualifications to maximise your potential.
- A focus on your well-being offering 1 day of paid well-being leave and free access to the 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme.
- Generous pension scheme (with us contributing 12% when you contribute 6%).
- Access to our Flexible Benefits Scheme, where you can choose from a variety of benefits such as Life Insurance, Critical Illness Cover, Income Protection, Health Cash Plan, Dental Insurance, and additional pension contributions that suit you.
- 2 days of paid volunteering leave allowing you to give back to your community.
- Access to many discounts from the Blue Light Card to NHS Discounts.
PPE & Pandemic Readiness Category Lead employer: Supply Chain Coordination Limited
NHS Supply Chain is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment that fosters collaboration and innovation. With a strong focus on employee growth, you will have access to continuous professional development opportunities while contributing to meaningful projects that enhance healthcare logistics. Located in the South and Southeast, our hybrid working model promotes a healthy work-life balance, making it an ideal place for those seeking rewarding employment in a vital sector.
Contact Details:
Supply Chain Coordination Limited Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land PPE & Pandemic Readiness Category Lead
✨Get Savvy with Industry Perks
Join procurement and purchasing forums or groups where pros hang out, like CIPS (Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply). They'll share the inside scoop on job openings that might not show up on traditional job boards!
✨Show Off Your Skills
Consider creating a portfolio that outlines your achievements in procurement, like cost-saving initiatives or supplier management strategies. Having tangible evidence of your skills can really set you apart when applying to companies like Supply Chain Coordination Limited.
✨Tap into Your Network
Leverage LinkedIn to connect with professionals in procurement—follow relevant hashtags, join groups, and engage in discussions. This is a great way to get noticed by potential employers before they even post a job!
✨Keep Your Eyes on Job Boards
With full-time positions, timing can be everything. Set alerts on job boards specifically for procurement roles. Don't wait for a job posting to close; apply through our website as soon as you see a fit—being proactive can give you the edge!
We think you need these skills to ace PPE & Pandemic Readiness Category Lead
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Procurement Know-How:When you're crafting your CV, make sure to highlight any procurement-specific skills you've got. Talk about your experience with supplier negotiations, cost analysis, or inventory management. If you’ve used software like SAP or Oracle, don’t forget to mention that too – it shows you know your way around the tech side of things!
Quantify Your Achievements:In procurement, numbers matter. Use your CV and cover letter to showcase any quantifiable achievements you've made in reducing costs or improving efficiencies. For example, mentioning that you helped save 20% on purchasing costs last year is way more impressive than just saying you managed the budget!
Tailor Your Cover Letter to Supply Chain Coordination Limited:Your cover letter should read like you’re chatting directly to Supply Chain Coordination Limited. Research the company’s procurement strategy, mention how your skills align with their goals, and share your enthusiasm for contributing to their success. This personal touch can really set you apart from the crowd!
Professional Certs Can Go a Long Way:If you've got any procurement-related certifications, such as CIPS or APICS, make sure they're front and centre on your CV. These qualifications show you're serious about your career in procurement and are committed to continuous learning. It’s a great way to signal your expertise and dedication to potential employers like Supply Chain Coordination Limited.
How to prepare for a job interview at Supply Chain Coordination Limited
✨Show Off Your Negotiation Skills
In procurement, strong negotiation skills are key. Be ready to share examples of past negotiations where you've successfully saved costs or improved supplier terms. We want to hear how you approached those situations and the strategies you used to achieve positive outcomes!
✨Know Your Tools
Make sure you’re familiar with procurement software and tools commonly used in the industry, such as SAP Ariba or Coupa. Come prepared to discuss any experiences you've had with these tools or similar platforms, as we need someone who can hit the ground running at Supply Chain Coordination Limited!
✨Understand Market Trends
As a procurement professional, being aware of market trends can set you apart. Brush up on recent developments in supply chain management or procurement best practices and think about how they could impact your role at Supply Chain Coordination Limited. Bringing a current perspective will show your enthusiasm for the industry.
✨Demonstrate Your Team Player Attitude
A full-time position means you'll be working closely with various teams. Be prepared to discuss how you collaborate with others, manage conflicts, and build relationships with stakeholders. Sharing anecdotes about past teamwork experiences will highlight your ability to fit into Supply Chain Coordination Limited's culture.
