About this role
Job summary
Reporting to Head of Category (Surgical Consumables and PPE), this role provides senior commercial leadership for the PPE category within the Department of Health and Social Cares pandemic preparedness programme - a nationally critical capability underpinning the UKs ability to respond to future health emergencies. The post-holder will be responsible for shaping and delivering the strategy for a stockpile exceeding 100,000 pallets and representing over £150m of public investment. The role ensures PPE supply is resilient, cost-effective, and operationally viable, with sufficient readiness to support the UK through the first wave of a future pandemic.
The pandemic preparedness stockpile is a large-scale, high-value national asset designed to ensure rapid response capability in the event of a public health emergency. Significant recent investment in PPE and ongoing requirements to manage stock expiry, cost pressures, and supply chain resilience mean there is a need to transform the current operating model into a more dynamic, sustainable, and efficient system. The role operates across DHSC, NHS Supply Chain, and the wider health system, requiring close collaboration with senior stakeholders and suppliers to deliver national priorities.
Main duties of the job
This is an exciting opportunity to lead a high-profile PPE category that plays a vital role in the UK's pandemic preparedness. You will be responsible for developing and delivering category strategies that ensure stockpile readiness, drive value for money, and strengthen supply chain resilience. Working closely with senior stakeholders across government, the NHS, and supplier partners, you will provide expert commercial leadership and support key strategic decision-making.
You will drive innovative supply chain solutions, including inventory optimisation and sustainability initiatives, while managing commercial performance across a complex and high-value category. Success in the role will be measured through maintaining PPE readiness, reducing financial risk, delivering commercial benefits, and improving supplier performance and resilience.
The successful candidate will bring significant experience in commercial, procurement, category management, or supply chain leadership, along with strong stakeholder management skills and the ability to deliver results in a fast-paced, complex environment. Experience of supply chain strategy, large-scale inventory programmes, or working within the public sector would be advantageous.
About us
At NHS Supply Chain, our role is to help the NHS save lives and improve health by sourcing, delivering, and supplying healthcare products, services, and food to NHS organisations across England and Wales. Working with every NHS Trust, we manage a national network of distribution centres, partner with more than 1,000 suppliers, and deliver over 8 million orders each year to more than 17,000 locations. By providing a reliable and efficient supply chain, we help NHS colleagues focus on what matters most, delivering outstanding patient care.
We believe in recognising and rewarding our colleagues' contributions, which is why we offer more than just a competitive salary. You'll benefit from flexible hybrid working, an annual bonus scheme, colleague recognition awards, and 27 days' annual leave plus bank holidays, with the option to purchase additional leave.
We are committed to supporting your development through a range of training opportunities, professional qualifications, and career progression pathways. Your wellbeing is also important to us, with paid wellbeing leave, access to a 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme, and two days of paid volunteering leave each year.
In addition, we offer a generous pension scheme, matched flexible benefits including health and protection options, and access to a range of retail and leisure discounts through schemes such as the Blue Light Card and NHS discounts.
Job description Job responsibilities
Job Title: Category Lead - DHSC PPE Pandemic Preparedness
Function: Commercial
Location: Hybrid arrangement with presence required for 2 days office based.
Contract type: Perm
Salary: Offered on a starting salary of £65,920 with the potential to increase too £77,553 over the course of three years.
Closing Date: 16th September 2026
Reporting to Head of Category (Surgical Consumables and PPE), this role provides senior commercial leadership for the PPE category within the Department of Health and Social Cares pandemic preparedness programme - a nationally critical capability underpinning the UKs ability to respond to future health emergencies. The post-holder will be responsible for shaping and delivering the strategy for a stockpile exceeding 100,000 pallets and representing over £150m of public investment. The role ensures PPE supply is resilient, cost-effective, and operationally viable, with sufficient readiness to support the UK through the first wave of a future pandemic.
The pandemic preparedness stockpile is a large-scale, high-value national asset designed to ensure rapid response capability in the event of a public health emergency. Significant recent investment in PPE and ongoing requirements to manage stock expiry, cost pressures, and supply chain resilience mean there is a need to transform the current operating model into a more dynamic, sustainable, and efficient system. The role operates across DHSC, NHS Supply Chain, and the wider health system, requiring close collaboration with senior stakeholders and suppliers to deliver national priorities.
Key Responsibilities
Lead the development and delivery of the DHSC PPE category strategy, aligned to national preparedness and commercial objectives Ensure the stockpile meets required readiness levels while balancing cost, risk, and operational constraints Drive supply chain transformation, including implementation of supplier-managed inventory, stock rotation, and reusable PPE solutions Manage a high-value category, delivering cost savings, cost avoidance, and value for money Provide expert commercial advice to senior stakeholders, including supporting ministerial decision-making and approvals Build and maintain effective relationships across DHSC, NHS Supply Chain, NHS providers, and suppliers Shape supplier markets to improve resilience, innovation, and sustainability Identify, assess, and manage risks relating to supply disruption, stock expiry, and financial exposure Ensure all activity is delivered in line with procurement regulations and governance requirements. Lead delivery of programmes and initiatives within agreed timelines in a fast-paced and evolving environment Key Accountabilities / Outcomes Maintenance of effective PPE readiness to support the UKs pandemic first-wave response Reduction in financial exposure from expiring or obsolete stock Successful implementation of innovative and sustainable supply chain solutions Delivery of measurable commercial benefits, including cost savings and efficiencies Strengthened supply chain resilience and supplier performance Delivery of agreed workplan objectives to time and quality
Key Accountabilities / Outcomes
Effective PPE readiness maintained to support the UK's pandemic first-wave response. Financial exposure from expiring, obsolete, or surplus stock reduced. Innovative and sustainable supply chain solutions successfully implemented. Measurable commercial benefits delivered, including cost savings and operational efficiencies. Supply chain resilience and supplier performance strengthened. Agreed workplan objectives delivered to time and quality standards.
Person Specification
Essential:
Significant experience in commercial, procurement, or category management leadership roles. Strong understanding of the NHS and wider healthcare system. Proven track record of delivering outcomes within complex, high-value, and strategically important environments. Excellent stakeholder management and influencing skills, including experience engaging with senior leaders and executive-level stakeholders. Ability to operate effectively and make decisions in fast-paced, complex, and ambiguous environments.
Desirable:
Experience of developing and implementing supply chain strategies and/or leading large-scale inventory management programmes. Experience working within the public sector and/or a highly regulated environment.
Person Specification
Experience Essential
We are looking for a commercially focused leader with significant experience in procurement, category management, or commercial leadership roles, and a strong understanding of the NHS and wider healthcare landscape. You will have a proven track record of delivering successful outcomes within complex, high-value, and strategically important environments, alongside the ability to build credible relationships and influence stakeholders at all levels, including senior leaders and executive-level decision-makers. The successful candidate will be confident operating in fast-paced and often ambiguous environments, using sound judgement to make effective decisions while balancing commercial, operational, and strategic priorities.
Desirable
Desirable experience includes developing and implementing supply chain strategies and leading large-scale inventory management programmes to improve operational performance and resilience. Experience of working within the public sector or other highly regulated environments would also be advantageous, with an understanding of the governance, compliance, and accountability requirements that underpin decision-making and delivery.
Employer details Employer name Supply Chain Coordination Limited (SCCL)
Address NHS Supply Chain Gradient Mill
Tileyard North
Wakefield
West Yorkshire
WF1 5FY
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.supplychain.nhs.uk/about-us/vacancies/ (Opens in a new tab)