Procurement Category Specialist

We have a fantastic opportunity for a Procurement Category Specialist join our team based nationally with flexible working. The salary on offer is from £38,000 with eligibility for our annual 10% bonus. 

About the role:

To ensure the most effective spend of public money across NHS PS portfolio, working within the Capital & Advisory category area. To utilise procurement systems and methodologies to support the delivery of procurement processes. Undertake supplier market research and gain insights from contract spend & performance data to identify best practice solutions. Develop great working relationships with stakeholders and suppliers, quickly building rapport and seeking support from category leads, category specialists & managers as required. Support the development and implementation of category plans and continually look to innovate and drive value for money.

What you will bring to the role:

• End to end delivery of assigned procurement projects and or work streams. Working simultaneously and across multiple customer accounts in line with the latest public procurement regulations. Support activities by updating plans, actions, reports, and risk logs.
• Understand the process for conducting opportunity assessment reviews and support the delivery of these through undertaking required actions such as data analysis.
• Preparation of Procurement Act 2023 and Framework tender and contract documents and manage the analysis of complex returns for high value contracts.
• Authorise new contracts and purchase orders within area of responsibility.
• Negotiate on contractual issues within area of responsibility; communicate statutory financial and procurement regulations to non-procurement people.
• Identification and delivery of saving initiatives across areas of project responsibility. In case of any variance from plan or delivery targets, work with members of the team and key stakeholders to investigate the causes and contribute to the implementation of solutions.
• Ensure stakeholders satisfaction and provide support during the life of the contract when necessary and anticipate on procurement and contract renewal.
• Administer contract management and procurement best practice principles to deliver performance management initiatives.
• Manage the supplier relationship of strategic and assigned contracts to monitor supplier performance and contract provisions
• As a member of the category group, support the category activities and add to the knowledge sharing, product developments, best practice delivery and innovation.
• Assist opportunities for aggregation and standardisation of products and services.
• Support the development of business cases by the provision and management of procurement statistics.
• Have the stated proficiency levels in procurement attributes identified as key to this role including strategic sourcing, savings delivery and working with public contract regulations.

What we can offer you:

We understand how important life is outside of work so, as well as a competitive salary we will also offer:

• 27 days annual leave + 8 days bank holiday with the option to buy additional weeks leave.
• A Smarter Working Policy, empowering you to choose the location of how and where you work according to your daily activities.
• Training and development opportunities, providing opportunities for our colleagues to develop and progress their careers at all levels through our Professional Excellence Framework.  
• Company-wide Colleague Referral Scheme
• SMART Pension contribution into which the company will contribute up to 6%

• A range of flexible benefits including NHS retail discounts and Cycle to Work Scheme.
• We have a great Colleague Assistance Programme and offer support for all areas of life.

An organisation with a passion…

We are an organisation with a passion for giving back. Putting money back into the NHS, raising £150,000 over 3 years for our charity partner Young Lives vs Cancer, supporting colleagues to volunteer within their local communities, and being committed to creating a sustainable working environment on our pledge to become net zero carbon by 2050. We understand that it’s important to feel like the work you do is having a meaningful impact on society, and through our approach to being a responsible business, we make sure that every colleague is given the opportunity to make a difference.  
 
We celebrate diversity, and we are working hard to create an inclusive environment where people love to work and can fulfil their potential. 

For full details of the role, please see the attached role profile.
We would encourage all applicants to apply as soon as possible as we may close vacancies early should we receive a high number of applications.