Job summary Deputy Head of Contract supporting the Head of Procurement and Supply Chain in the management of the Trust's non-pay supply contracts and suppliers. Main duties of the job The postholder will take a leading role for all supply contracts for RBFT s within their area of responsibility as well as contributing and supporting other areas of the team when necessary. The role is critical is supporting the development of the contracting, contract management and supplier management. Building relationships with key internal and stakeholders will be critical to the success of the role. Building, analysing and delivering contract and supply reports to the Head of Procurement and Supply Chain is essential and will need demonstrate strong contract management skills along with a political awareness. The post holder will have a good understanding of the NHS healthcare landscape and have relevant experience and knowledge of NHS supply contracts as well as a proven track record of relationship management and negotiation. The role requires a very high standard of literacy and additionally the post holder needs to be outwardly confident in their manner when dealing with staff at all levels within Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust. Providing professional expertise to the outcome of the business processes for the Department or Directorate. Providing contract leadership ensuring adherence to governance, Trust Standing Financial Instructions, Policy and National legislation / guidelines. About us The Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust is one of the largest general hospital foundation trusts in the country and the main provider of acute and specialist care services for west Berkshire, employing c5,500 staff. The Procurement and Supply Chain Department is responsible for 3,500 suppliers and non-pay spend of c£220m year on year. The team consists of c30 staff members supporting all procurement and non-pay supply chain activity for the Trust, as well as work across the BOB ICS. Date posted 22 January 2025 Pay scheme Agenda for change Band Band 8c Salary £74,290 to £85,601 a year per annum Contract Permanent Working pattern Full-time Reference number 193-6943974CORB8cPro Job locations RBFT, Procurement Dept 73A London Rd London RG1 5UZ Job description Job responsibilities The postholder must use judgment in analysing opportunities for improvement in contracts, contract pricing, supply scheduling etc, balancing often-conflicting priorities across a very wide and complex range of supplies items, with alternatives. The post-holder carries corporate responsibility for contract management and supplier management for of supplies for the whole organisation and for every aspect of it, including high-value capital items (e.g new pieces of equipment, building contracts, through high value recurrent items, such as pharmaceutical supplies, and the supply of all goods and services.) Must design, operate and monitor effective governance and information systems for all purchasing activity across the Trust, and ensure that these are satisfactory for the purposes of security, integrity and audit. The conduct of contractual negotiation will require frequent intense concentration and exposure to adversarial (emotionally-charged) meetings. There may be occasional need to be assertive in internal discussions, e.g when changing protocols or suppliers. Make use of professional legal advice as and when required. The Trust may have certain specific contractual functions, such as private patients, PCT contracts, and major projects that may be managed outside the remit of this post. The job description is not exhaustive but is intended as a guide to the principal duties and responsibilities of the post. It will be subject to periodic review in association with the post-holder. Job description Job responsibilities The postholder must use judgment in analysing opportunities for improvement in contracts, contract pricing, supply scheduling etc, balancing often-conflicting priorities across a very wide and complex range of supplies items, with alternatives. The post-holder carries corporate responsibility for contract management and supplier management for of supplies for the whole organisation and for every aspect of it, including high-value capital items (e.g new pieces of equipment, building contracts, through high value recurrent items, such as pharmaceutical supplies, and the supply of all goods and services.) Must design, operate and monitor effective governance and information systems for all purchasing activity across the Trust, and ensure that these are satisfactory for the purposes of security, integrity and audit. The conduct of contractual negotiation will require frequent intense concentration and exposure to adversarial (emotionally-charged) meetings. There may be occasional need to be assertive in internal discussions, e.g when changing protocols or suppliers. Make use of professional legal advice as and when required. The Trust may have certain specific contractual functions, such as private patients, PCT contracts, and major projects that may be managed outside the remit of this post. The job description is not exhaustive but is intended as a guide to the principal duties and responsibilities of the post. It will be subject to periodic review in association with the post-holder. Person Specification Year of Experiencence Essential Experience at a strategic and tactical level of managing small - medium sized team of professionals, with responsibility for a number of complex and high value sourcing projects. Proven experience of: Contract Management Experience Desirable oSufficient knowledge of different client areas such as Clinical, Estates, IM&T, etc. oKnowledge of 'Lean' process-improvement. oExcellent and proven experience in contract and public sector Law procurement and contracting Essential Demonstrable experience delivering complex supply contracts and/or resolution of contracting issues Contract Management Approach Essential Demonstrable nuance and expertise managing complex contracts and suppliers Desirable oKnowledge of 'Lean' process-improvement. oExcellent and proven experience in contract and public sector Law oAbility to take personal lead in the most complex commercial negotiations, involving high-value contracts. Must be capable of retaining the necessary professional manner even where hostility and antagonism may be frequent and where suppliers will hold extremely strong opposing views to support their own objectives. oExpert-level knowledge of current best practice in computer systems to support administration of procurement Person Specification Year of Experiencence Essential Experience at a strategic and tactical level of managing small - medium sized team of professionals, with responsibility for a number of complex and high value sourcing projects. Proven experience of: Contract Management Experience Desirable oSufficient knowledge of different client areas such as Clinical, Estates, IM&T, etc. oKnowledge of 'Lean' process-improvement. oExcellent and proven experience in contract and public sector Law procurement and contracting Essential Demonstrable experience delivering complex supply contracts and/or resolution of contracting issues Contract Management Approach Essential Demonstrable nuance and expertise managing complex contracts and suppliers Desirable oKnowledge of 'Lean' process-improvement. oExcellent and proven experience in contract and public sector Law oAbility to take personal lead in the most complex commercial negotiations, involving high-value contracts. Must be capable of retaining the necessary professional manner even where hostility and antagonism may be frequent and where suppliers will hold extremely strong opposing views to support their own objectives. oExpert-level knowledge of current best practice in computer systems to support administration of procurement Disclosure and Barring Service Check This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions. Employer details Employer name Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust Address RBFT, Procurement Dept 73A London Rd London RG1 5UZ Employer's website https://www.royalberkshire.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)