About this role
Job summary
Exciting opportunity to join Choice Procurement Services at a pivotal time in our journey. Following a service redesign and the launch of our Procurement Strategy, we are building a modern, commercially focused procurement function that will shape the future of procurement across our organisation.
As our Senior Procurement and Contracts Manager, you will play a key leadership role, driving complex and high-value procurement projects, influencing strategic decisions, and delivering innovative solutions that support patient care and organisational sustainability.
Working with the Head of Commercial, you will lead a team of procurement professionals, provide advice to stakeholders, and help deliver transformational change. You will also play a central role in embedding the Procurement Act 2023, strengthening governance, delivering value for money, and advancing our commitments to social value, sustainability and continuous improvement.
This role offers the chance to work with senior leaders, clinicians and system partners across the NHS, giving you an opportunity to influence how procurement delivers strategic outcomes.
We are looking for a procurement professional with strong commercial expertise, excellent leadership skills and a passion for improvement. If you want to help shape a newly restructured service, influence strategic direction and leave a lasting impact, we'd love to hear from you.
Join us and help deliver the next generation of NHS procurement.
Main duties of the job
Join Choice Procurement Services at an exciting time of transformation following a recent service redesign and the launch of our ambitious Procurement Strategy. You'll join a forward-thinking commercial team that is raising the profile of procurement and strengthening its role as a strategic partner across the organisation.
We are looking for a procurement professional with substantial experience delivering complex procurement and contracting activity, ideally within the NHS or wider public sector. You will bring strong commercial awareness, excellent stakeholder management skills, a sound understanding of public procurement legislation, and the ability to lead and develop high-performing teams.
You will work alongside senior leaders, clinicians and system partners, influencing key decisions and helping to deliver value, innovation and sustainable outcomes. The role offers significant autonomy, exposure to strategic programmes and opportunities to shape procurement policy, governance and best practice.
We are committed to supporting professional development and welcome applicants who are passionate about continuous improvement, professional growth and leading change. This is an excellent opportunity for someone looking to build on an established procurement career and make a genuine impact within a newly structured and ambitious service.
About us
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City Hospitals Independent Commercial Enterprises Ltd (CHoICE - trading since 2014) is a wholly owned subsidiary company of South Tyneside & Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust (STSFT). We provide a full range of Facilities Management, Procurement and Outpatient Pharmacy services. We employ staff in a wide range of functions, ranging from cleaners, porters, engineers, procurement and pharmacists.
Commitment, Care and Compassion- our Team contribute to the overall hospital environment, providing safe, secure and comfortable facilities for access by patients, staff and visitors. CHoICE is an exciting place to work that will provide you with an opportunity to grow and develop. Many of our staff work flexibly, including part-time and we are committed to offering flexible approaches to work where possible. We provide a range of benefits including Fitness Centre (SRH), cycle to work scheme and access to a Childcare Co-ordinator to help staff with childcare arrangements.
We welcome all applications regardless of peoples race, disability, gender, sexual orientation, religion or belief, age, gender identity, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity and in particular those from under-represented groups.
If you use AI, and it poses a risk to the integrity of your individual recruitment process, we may withdraw your application at any stage of the process.
Job description Job responsibilities
The Senior Procurement and Contracts Manager is a senior commercial leadership role responsible for the strategic operational management and delivery of procurement and contracting activity within agreed organisational strategies. The postholder will provide expert commercial advice, ensure compliance with public procurement legislation and Standing Financial Instructions (SFIs), and lead the effective delivery of complex, high-value procurement projects.
PLEASE REFER TO ATTACHED JOB DESCRIPTION FOR FULL DUTIES OF THE ROLE.
Person Specification
Qualifications Essential
Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (CIPS) Level 6 Professional Diploma in Procurement and Supply Chain (or CIPS recognised accredited qualification at the same level) or equivalent experience. Evidence of substantial continuing professional development.
Desirable
Project Management Qualification (such as PRINCE2) or equivalent experience. Higher level Management / Leadership Qualifications (such as Honours Degree, Post Grad or Masters) or equivalent experience and academic ability for the demands of the Post.
Experience Essential
Extensive experience in senior procurement or commercial roles, ideally within the NHS or public sector. Proven experience of leading complex, highvalue procurement and contracting activity. Experience of managing and developing procurement teams. Demonstrable experience delivering cost improvement programmes and valueformoney outcomes. Experience of working across multiple stakeholders and managing competing priorities. Experience using eprocurement and contract management systems (Atamis desirable).
Desirable
Evidence of on-going professional development on specialist Courses.
Physical Skills Essential
Advanced keyboard and IT skills, with physical / handeye coordination required to accurately and proficiently use computer systems when manipulating procurement data, drafting complex documentation, and preparing reports. Regular use of multiple digital systems, including eprocurement, contract management and financial reporting platforms. Ability to travel independently between sites and external meetings as required to support procurement activity and stakeholder engagement.
Skills and Knowledge Essential
Advanced commercial and contractual negotiation skills. Ability to operate with significant autonomy and professional judgement. Strong leadership and people-management skills. Highly developed analytical and problem-solving skills. Excellent written, verbal and presentation skills. Ability to manage risk and make balanced, evidence-based decisions. Expert knowledge of Public Contracts Regulations 2015, Procurement Act 2023 and Provider Selection Regime. In-depth knowledge of Standing Financial Instructions, Standing Orders and Scheme of Delegation. Strong understanding of NHS procurement frameworks, governance and assurance requirements. Knowledge of performance measurement, savings methodologies and benchmarking tools.
Desirable
Awareness of NHS or public sector operating environments (desirable).
Employer details Employer name City Hospitals Independent Commercial Enterprises Ltd (CHoICE)
Address Sunderland Royal Hospital
Kayll Road
Sunderland
SR4 7TP
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.choicesunderland.co.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)