About this role
Job summary
An exciting opportunity has arisen for Trainee Category Specialist/Category Specialist (dependent upon experience) to join our Category Management Teams across our group Procurement function. 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 our Strategic Estates 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.
We are recruiting to either band 6 Trainee Category Specialist, or band 7 Category Specialist, dependent upon experience. The Trainee Category Specialist role offers a guaranteed progression to the Category Specialist, once competencies have been achieved.
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. 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
Please submit your application as soon as possible, as we reserve the right to close adverts once sufficient applications have been received.
We recognise that AI tools can support application writing; however, candidates are asked to keep their use to a minimum. Responses should reflect your own experience, skills and knowledge, as over-reliance on AI-generated content may result in generic answers that do not accurately represent your abilities.
University Hospitals of Northamptonshire (UHN) brings together Kettering General Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and Northampton General Hospital NHS Trust. As a group, we are committed to improving services for our communities through collaboration, modernising care delivery and striving for excellence. Working together enables us to share expertise, strengthen services and create greater opportunities, and there may be a requirement to work across sites depending on service needs.
Our Excellence Values are Compassion, Accountability, Respect, Integrity and Courage. UHN welcomes applications from all backgrounds and is committed to an inclusive working environment. We are proud signatories of the Armed Forces Covenant and hold the Gold Award under the Employer Recognition Scheme. Candidates who identify as members of the Armed Forces community and meet the essential criteria will be guaranteed an interview
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, PA23, PSR 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. Experience in capital build/construction procurements Proven track record in leading strategic sourcing and/or project management in procurement related activity. Demonstrable ability to assist in running meetings at a senior level, with particular reference to procurement projects and the processes within this Excellent verbal and written skills (including report writing) Significant experience in a similar procurement role
Desirable
Experience of working within the NHS and an understanding of current issues Sound understanding and experience in the application of computerised purchasing systems and the concept of e-commerce. Able to facilitate cross working and understanding of Group Strategy areas e.g. sustainability
Skills Essential
Excellent numerate, analytical and reasoning skills. Ability to solve complex problems in an innovative way Ability to understand and influence complex purchase to pay networks. Ability to retrieve and interpret complex data as a basis for determining strategies and policies and how these should be applied to determine required procurement routes Ability to contribute to and influence the direction and strategy of the procurement function. Ability to lead team and others in a programme of change. Ability to formulate, implement and review strategies, policies, work plans and performance measures. Ability to prioritize workload of self and team members Excellent project management skills. Ability to plan and deliver a number of concurrent complex and time-critical projects, prioritizing work to achieve deadlines. Effective oral and written communication skills with good presentation skills to board level. Ability to lead, persuade and influence colleagues and service users including clinicians, senior managers and directors. Standard keyboard skills
Key Competencies/ Personal Qualities & Attributes Essential
Passionate and committed to bring our Dedicated to Excellence values to life, improving the way we work with each other, particularly focusing on empowerment, equality diversity and inclusion of our staff, patients and service users Able to demonstrate a commitment and understanding of the importance of treating all individuals with dignity and respect appropriate to their individual needs. Able to translate vision into reality. Ability to operate in a multi-disciplinary environment and to develop effective internal and external relationships at all levels including director level. Able to communicate complex operational, and management issues to Director level. Personal credibility, with the ability to quickly gain the confidence of others. Enthusiastic and able to assist in change and implement new ideas/concepts Ability to travel between the Kettering and Northampton Hospital sites and other sites across the Group (where postholders are required to travel as part of their role)
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 University Hospitals of Northamptonshire
Northamptonshire
Kettering
NN16 8UZ
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.kgh.nhs.uk/working-for-us (Opens in a new tab)