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- Tasks: Lead strategic procurement in the health sector, driving innovation and excellence.
- Company: Join a dynamic team shaping public procurement for the NHS.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, hybrid work options, and professional development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on healthcare procurement while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in public sector procurement, ideally within the NHS, is essential.
- Other info: This is a permanent, full-time role based in Manchester or North West.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 90000 £ per year.
Location: Hybrid (Home-based in the Manchester or North West area with occasional travel to other UK offices)
Contract Type: Permanent, Full-Time
Salary: £60-90k + benefits
Are you a strategic and visionary leader in procurement with deep experience in the healthcare sector? Are you ready to shape the future of public procurement and deliver real impact across the NHS?
We are looking for a dynamic and experienced Head of Category – Health to lead the strategic direction and day-to-day operations of our Health procurement category. This is a high-profile role, where you will deliver innovative procurement solutions, build strategic relationships, and drive excellence across a significant portfolio of frameworks.
About the Role
As Head of Category (Health), you will oversee a team of procurement professionals, ensuring the delivery of a comprehensive category strategy that drives value, innovation, and measurable outcomes. You’ll lead transformational activities, manage strategic sourcing programmes, and champion procurement best practices that make a difference across the health system. This is an exciting opportunity to influence the way the NHS procures health-related goods and services, whilst developing your team and enhancing client relationships.
Key Responsibilities
- Category Management
- Shape and implement innovative commercial strategies for high-value, complex health sector procurements.
- Lead the development and delivery of robust category plans and strategic sourcing initiatives.
- Manage supplier and contract strategies to ensure value, performance, and compliance.
- Collaborate with public sector partners and agencies on relevant tenders and procurement projects.
- Leadership
- Lead, inspire and develop the Health Category Team to deliver excellence and achieve strategic goals.
- Create and maintain a high-performing, collaborative, and motivated team culture.
- Actively contribute to the Procurement Solutions Leadership Team to drive continuous improvement and quality.
- Strategic Procurement
- Contribute to a progressive and forward-thinking procurement strategy aligned with public sector values and NHS priorities.
- Promote best-in-class procurement practices across the category team and wider organisation.
- Champion innovation and value-add opportunities through procurement and framework management.
- Governance & Compliance
- Ensure compliance with the Procurement Act, UK Public Contracts Regulations, and the Provider Selection Regime.
- Oversee governance, risk management, and performance monitoring across all procurement activities.
- Framework Management
- Proactively manage a portfolio of frameworks, ensuring continuous improvement, growth, and risk mitigation.
- Collaborate with category management and contract management leaders to embed effective framework strategies.
What You’ll Bring
- Experience & Knowledge
- Demonstrable experience in public sector procurement, ideally within the NHS or health sector.
- In-depth knowledge of public procurement legislation, including the Procurement Act and Provider Selection Regime.
- Strong commercial insight with the ability to deliver measurable procurement outcomes.
- Proven experience in leading and developing successful procurement teams.
- Attributes & Skills
- Strategic thinker with excellent leadership and stakeholder management skills.
- Strong project and risk management capabilities.
- Excellent communicator with a collaborative approach to problem-solving.
- High level of commercial acumen and a drive for continuous improvement.
Please apply for this role to Value Match who are acting as an employment business for this position or you can contact the Value Match Head of Resourcing Stu Donald (stuart.donald@value-match.co.uk) for more details.
Contact Detail:
Value Match Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Category – Health
✨Tip Number 1
Network with professionals in the healthcare procurement sector. Attend industry events or webinars to connect with key players and gain insights into current trends and challenges. This can help you understand what organisations like us at StudySmarter are looking for in a candidate.
✨Tip Number 2
Familiarise yourself with the latest public procurement legislation, especially the Procurement Act and Provider Selection Regime. Being well-versed in these regulations will not only boost your confidence but also demonstrate your commitment to compliance and governance in procurement.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your leadership skills by discussing past experiences where you've successfully led teams or projects. Prepare specific examples that highlight your ability to inspire and develop others, as this is crucial for the Head of Category role.
✨Tip Number 4
Research our organisation and understand our values and priorities within the NHS. Tailoring your approach to align with our mission will help you stand out as a candidate who is genuinely interested in making a difference in public procurement.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Category – Health
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your experience in public sector procurement, especially within the healthcare sector. Use specific examples that demonstrate your strategic thinking and leadership skills relevant to the role.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that clearly outlines your motivation for applying and how your background aligns with the responsibilities of the Head of Category – Health position. Emphasise your experience in managing procurement teams and delivering innovative solutions.
Highlight Relevant Achievements: In both your CV and cover letter, include quantifiable achievements that showcase your ability to drive value and innovation in procurement. This could be successful projects you've led or improvements you've implemented in previous roles.
Proofread Your Application: Before submitting, carefully proofread your application materials for any spelling or grammatical errors. A polished application reflects your attention to detail and professionalism, which are crucial for a leadership role.
How to prepare for a job interview at Value Match
✨Showcase Your Strategic Vision
As a Head of Category, it's crucial to demonstrate your strategic thinking. Prepare examples of how you've shaped procurement strategies in the past, particularly in the healthcare sector, and be ready to discuss how you would approach the role.
✨Highlight Leadership Experience
This role requires strong leadership skills. Be prepared to share specific instances where you've led teams to success, focusing on how you inspired and developed your team members to achieve strategic goals.
✨Understand Public Procurement Legislation
Familiarise yourself with the Procurement Act and UK Public Contracts Regulations. During the interview, be ready to discuss how your knowledge of these regulations has influenced your previous procurement decisions and strategies.
✨Demonstrate Collaborative Problem-Solving
Collaboration is key in this role. Prepare to discuss how you've worked with various stakeholders, including public sector partners, to deliver successful procurement projects. Highlight your communication skills and your approach to resolving conflicts.
