Category Lead - DHSC PPE Pandemic Preparedness in Nottingham

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?

• 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.

NHS Supply Chain, who are we?

Our role is to support the NHS to save lives and improve health. We are a part of the NHS family, and our role is to source, deliver and supply healthcare products, services and food for NHS trusts and healthcare organisations across England and Wales. We serve every NHS Trust and operate a national network of distribution centres, managing relationships with more than a thousand suppliers and delivering more than 8,000,000 orders each year to more than 17,000 locations. Doing all of this on behalf of the NHS gives NHS staff more time to focus on their main priority of providing excellent patient care.

What skills will help you thrive in this role?

• Extensive leadership experience in commercial, procurement, and category management roles, driving strategic sourcing and value delivery across complex organisations.
• Proven track record of achieving successful outcomes in high-value, fast-paced environments through effective commercial and operational decision-making.
• Strong stakeholder management and influencing capabilities, with experience engaging and collaborating effectively with senior executives and cross-functional teams.
• Demonstrated ability to navigate ambiguity, manage competing priorities, and deliver results in dynamic and rapidly changing business environments.