Job summary An exciting opportunity has arisen for Category Specialist to join our Category Management Teams working across the University Hospitals of Northamptonshire (UHN), which encompasses Kettering General Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, and Northampton General NHS Trust, you will be an integral part of one of our Corporate category area, delivering a first class procurement service across UHN. This is a great opportunity for a procurement professional who wants to further develop their career, to join the Procurement team at UHN and really make a difference. Base can be discussed, but noting the requirement will be to travel between sites when required. You will be joining a large, friendly and supportive team which offers great opportunities for career progression. If you would like to progress your career in procurement, please review the job description and person specification in the advert, and if you feel you match those requirements we'd love to hear from you. Main duties of the job To provide a comprehensive, proactive, efficient and responsive procurement advisory and planning service across the designated specialist category area. Assisting in the development and managing a category management strategy that provides commercial benefit and reduces risk consistent with alignment to the Group Strategies, abiding by Trust specific SFI's, SO's, UK legislation. Assisting in the development of KPI's that evidence value for money through generating non-pay savings in accordance with cost efficiency targets whilst awarding robust compliant contracts. Day to day management responsibility for the category assistants working within this specialist area. This post holds responsibility for ensuring rigorous control in the approach to procuring goods and Services. Managing and undertaking complex and high value procurements and associated contract negotiations on behalf of the Group and working collaboratively with Procurement colleagues across the Northamptonshire ICB as appropriate. About us Kettering General Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is one of the largest employers in the area and we are on an exciting journey. Our mission is to provide safe, compassionate, and clinically excellent patient care, by being an outstanding employer for our people. We have entered into a Group Model with neighbouring Northampton General Hospital and have become University Hospitals of Northamptonshire. Our Excellence Values: Compassion Respect Integrity Courageous Accountable Date posted 19 February 2025 Pay scheme Agenda for change Band Band 7 Salary £46,148 to £52,809 a year Per Annum Contract Permanent Working pattern Full-time Reference number 264-6993624-COR Job locations Kettering General Hospital Rothwell Road Kettering NN16 8UZ Job description Job responsibilities To consistently meet best value for money by the effective sourcing of goods and services. To promote contract compliance across all the stakeholders within the Trust. To ensure all procurement activities operate in full accordance with legal (UK legislation), environment and sustainability requirements. Assist Category manager in development and implementation of category strategy to support Group wide procurement strategy Assist in the Group working approach for specified category area, contributing to streamlined processes and documentation across the Group Attendance and contribution as required to relevant divisional meetings, supporting CIP programmes and the pro-active management of contract expiry dates Attendance where appropriate at Management Board meetings. Deputise for Category Manager at meetings as required To lead on sourcing of specific category area for University Hospitals of Northamptonshire and specific sourcing programmes for defined projects Trust wide taking the lead on the allocated sourcing category, categories or services and contributing significantly to the delivery of allocated procurement projects within key markets. Sourcing programmes may entail end to end tender process and subsequent contract management. Lead on ensuring compliant contracts are in place with relevant KPIs within category area Preparation and presentation of Procurement Strategy, Procurement process plans and contributing and/or authorisation of contract award papers to the appropriate senior management, including the Executive Team. To lead in the delivery of cost and efficiency savings across a large project range across relevant category, by analysing current spend information and undertaking market analysis to develop procurement strategies. To ensure that Divisional proposals for non-pay savings are robust and reported appropriately. Utilise the Trusts business Intelligence tool (Qlikview) to produce reports on contract coverage, track spend activity and generate savings opportunities To significantly contribute to the Trusts non-pay saving target The engagement of Clinicians, Managers and Stakeholders in the end to end process for product selection and supply of services, including demand challenge, transition and implementation planning and development of strategy, tender evaluation, award criteria, and on-going contract management. Undertaking rigorous and widespread benchmarking activity to support on-going negotiation and market intelligence for designated Categories. Job description Job responsibilities To consistently meet best value for money by the effective sourcing of goods and services. To promote contract compliance across all the stakeholders within the Trust. To ensure all procurement activities operate in full accordance with legal (UK legislation), environment and sustainability requirements. Assist Category manager in development and implementation of category strategy to support Group wide procurement strategy Assist in the Group working approach for specified category area, contributing to streamlined processes and documentation across the Group Attendance and contribution as required to relevant divisional meetings, supporting CIP programmes and the pro-active management of contract expiry dates Attendance where appropriate at Management Board meetings. Deputise for Category Manager at meetings as required To lead on sourcing of specific category area for University Hospitals of Northamptonshire and specific sourcing programmes for defined projects Trust wide taking the lead on the allocated sourcing category, categories or services and contributing significantly to the delivery of allocated procurement projects within key markets. Sourcing programmes may entail end to end tender process and subsequent contract management. Lead on ensuring compliant contracts are in place with relevant KPIs within category area Preparation and presentation of Procurement Strategy, Procurement process plans and contributing and/or authorisation of contract award papers to the appropriate senior management, including the Executive Team. To lead in the delivery of cost and efficiency savings across a large project range across relevant category, by analysing current spend information and undertaking market analysis to develop procurement strategies. To ensure that Divisional proposals for non-pay savings are robust and reported appropriately. Utilise the Trusts business Intelligence tool (Qlikview) to produce reports on contract coverage, track spend activity and generate savings opportunities To significantly contribute to the Trusts non-pay saving target The engagement of Clinicians, Managers and Stakeholders in the end to end process for product selection and supply of services, including demand challenge, transition and implementation planning and development of strategy, tender evaluation, award criteria, and on-going contract management. Undertaking rigorous and widespread benchmarking activity to support on-going negotiation and market intelligence for designated Categories. Person Specification Training and Education Essential Educated to degree level or equivalent level of education, training or experience MCIPS qualified, or equivalent, or have relevant experience in senior procurement role - as a minimum, must be working towards to CIPS qualification Demonstrate evidence of continuing professional development Knowledge and Experience Essential Extensive experience in relation to Procurement activity Robust knowledge of Contract Law, EU Directives and purchasing procedures. Can run competitive tender (including mini competitions), and Find a Tender procurements, with support from senior team members, compliantly from start to finish - with demonstrable examples of a variety of these that have been carried out Computer literate with detailed knowledge of standard computer packages e.g Microsoft Office, Internet browsing and ordering systems. Ability to plan and deliver a number of concurrent complex and time-critical projects, prioritizing work to achieve deadlines. Ability to lead, persuade and influence colleagues and service users including clinicians, senior managers and directors. Desirable Experience of working within the NHS and an understanding of current issues Person Specification Training and Education Essential Educated to degree level or equivalent level of education, training or experience MCIPS qualified, or equivalent, or have relevant experience in senior procurement role - as a minimum, must be working towards to CIPS qualification Demonstrate evidence of continuing professional development Knowledge and Experience Essential Extensive experience in relation to Procurement activity Robust knowledge of Contract Law, EU Directives and purchasing procedures. Can run competitive tender (including mini competitions), and Find a Tender procurements, with support from senior team members, compliantly from start to finish - with demonstrable examples of a variety of these that have been carried out Computer literate with detailed knowledge of standard computer packages e.g Microsoft Office, Internet browsing and ordering systems. Ability to plan and deliver a number of concurrent complex and time-critical projects, prioritizing work to achieve deadlines. Ability to lead, persuade and influence colleagues and service users including clinicians, senior managers and directors. Desirable Experience of working within the NHS and an understanding of current issues 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. Certificate of Sponsorship Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab). From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab). Additional information 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. Certificate of Sponsorship Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab). From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab). Employer details Employer name Kettering General Hospital NHS Foundation Trust Address Kettering General Hospital Rothwell Road Kettering NN16 8UZ Employer's website https://www.kgh.nhs.uk/working-for-us (Opens in a new tab)