About this role
Job summary
The category of Major Capital Projects or Hard Facilities Management, dependent on experience.
Devon Procurement Service | Hybrid (Devon-wide)
We are looking for a commercially astute Category Manager to lead strategic procurement across a high profile portfolio spanning Major Capital Projects or Hard FM, which underpins the safe, compliant, and effective operation of healthcare facilities across the Devon Health Care System.
From the delivery of major infrastructure programmes and refurbishment schemes to critical engineering services, statutory compliance, and lifecycle maintenance, this role sits at the centre of how healthcare environments are built, maintained, and improved, directly impacting patient care and operational resilience.
We contract on behalf of:
Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust Torbay & South Devon NHS Foundation Trust Devon Partnership NHS Trust University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust Livewell Community Services Working within a newly formed and progressive shared service, you will operate across organisational boundaries, influencing procurement strategy at system level, driving innovation in delivery models, and leading complex programmes from concept through to delivery and ongoing performance.
Preference will be given to internal Trust staff, as well as 'Priority' and 'At Risk' status including NHS at Risk staff throughout Devon who is able to display recent relevant experience as dictated by the Person Specification.
Main duties of the job
The Role
You will take ownership of a diverse and evolving portfolio across major capital projects or Hard FM, depending on your experience, leading procurement activity with the team across the full lifecycle from early market engagement and route to market strategy through to contract award, mobilisation, and performance management.
You will:
Lead category strategy development across major capital projects or Hard FM services, aligned to organisational priorities Design and deliver procurement routes including frameworks, further competitions, and open procedures Structure and negotiate complex contracts, including construction, consultancy (JCT / NEC) and/or service models (TFM, term service, specialist compliance) Work closely with estates, clinical, and operational teams to shape specifications, delivery models, and performance regimes Provide commercial leadership on business cases, affordability, outsourcing models, and risk allocation Ensure compliance with the Procurement Act 2023 and NHS governance requirements Drive value beyond cost, including social value, sustainability, supply chain resilience and SME engagement This is a role with genuine influence you will be expected to challenge, shape, and lead, not simply deliver procurement processes.
About us
We are a people business - where every member of staff matters and can make a difference. Patients are at the heart of everything we do. Joining University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust means becoming part of a team of dedicated staff, who are committed to leading the way through innovation, clinical excellence and great customer care. The Trust has great opportunities for career development in a highly progressive working environment. We offer all of this in a vibrant, modern city with a historic reputation for adventure. PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL COMMUNICATION WILL BE ELECTRONIC, PLEASE CHECK YOUR EMAIL ACCOUNT REGULARLY. If you have any issues with applying online and need additional support including reasonable adjustments with the application process please contact the recruitment manager for this post who will put you in touch with the recruitment team. We recognise that work life balance is important for our colleagues and so we invite requests from applicants around less than full time/flexible working for our advertised roles. Please contact the recruiting manager to discuss this prior to your application submission. We commit to giving this full consideration in each case. We encourage people from diverse backgrounds to apply for our roles, as diversity strengthens our teams. It is sometimes necessary to close vacancies before the closing date. If you have not heard from us within 4 weeks of the closing date, please assume that you have not been shortlisted.
Job description Job responsibilities
Background to the Devon Procurement Service:
Devon Procurement Service (DPS) hosted at University Hospital Plymouth (UHP") is part ofDevon Integrated Care System (ICS) and provides procurement and supply chain management services across all its members (Partner Trusts).
As a shared service, all members of the DPS are expected to ensure consistency and parity of service provision, prioritisation and commitment to all Partner Trusts. All DPS staff will ensure proportionate resources are deployed to meet each Partner Trust's service requirements.
Job Purpose:
The Category Manager is responsible for leading and managing procurement activities within their designated category across all Partner Trusts. This role involves developing and implementing category strategies that align with the Trust's objectives, ensuring value for money, and managing supplier relationships to meet contractual obligations and service level agreements. The Category Manager will work closely with internal stakeholders to understand their needs and ensure procurement activities support their objectives. Additionally, the role requires overseeing the development, negotiation, and management of contracts to ensure compliance and optimal performance, as well as monitoring supplier performance against agreed Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).
The Category Manager will lead a team of procurement professionals to deliver the category strategies. They will work closely with all areas of DPS to ensure that the stakeholders within their category receive a high-quality service that creates financial savings and ensures that goods and services are readily available to support the provision of healthcare across the sector. The Category Manager will also ensure compliance with procurement policies and regulations, promote sustainable procurement practices, and mitigate procurement risks.
Why this role stands out
Breadth and impact - Exposure across both capital delivery and operational estates services System wide scale - Work across a multi-trust shared service with a significant and varied pipeline End to end ownership - From early strategy through to delivery, performance, and optimisation Strategic influence - Direct engagement with senior estates, finance, and programme leadership Variety - From live hospital refurbishments and infrastructure programmes to critical service delivery models Build and shape a new service - Be part of the newly established Devon Procurement Service, with a genuine opportunity to influence the long term strategy from the outset About You
You are an experienced procurement or commercial professional with a strong track record in either capital projects / construction or Hard FM / estates services, and the ability or ambition to operate across both.
You will bring:
Proven experience delivering capital, construction, or Hard FM procurement in a complex environment Strong knowledge of public procurement regulations (Procurement Act 2023) Experience working with construction contracts (JCT / NEC) and/or service contracts (maintenance, compliance, lifecycle, TFM) Strong commercial acumen, including contract structuring, pricing models, and risk management Ability to influence senior stakeholders and challenge constructively A strategic mindset able to link procurement decisions to delivery and operational outcomes MCIPS (or working towards) or equivalent commercial experience What success looks like
Procurement is recognised as a strategic partner across both capital and estates delivery Projects and services are delivered through robust, compliant, and commercially sound approaches Stakeholders are engaged, informed, and confident in procurement led solutions Measurable benefits are delivered across cost, quality, performance, and resilience Supply chains are high performing, collaborative, and aligned to NHS priorities Working with us
We offer flexible hybrid working across Devon, with a base at any of our main sites (Plymouth, Exeter, Torbay, Barnstaple). Occasional travel to other sites will be required.
You will be part of a friendly, supportive, and high performing team with a clear ambition: to transform how procurement enables healthcare delivery.
Interested?
If you are looking for a role where you can influence both major capital investment and critical estates services, operate at pace, and play a key role in shaping a growing procurement service this is an opportunity with real impact and visibility.
Please see the attached job description
Person Specification
Category Leadership Essential
Demonstrable experience in a Category Management leadership Knowledge and experience of over threshold procurement processes, including the use of Government procurement frameworks. Demonstrable experience in handling complex facts or situations, requiring analysis, interpretation, and comparison of a range of options. Proven evidence of planning and organising a broad range of complex activities; and formulating, adjusting plans or strategies. Understanding of supplier management and contract management. Demonstrable experience managing and leading projects Demonstrable experience of development of Category Plans
Desirable
Demonstrable experience of NHS or regulated businesses business case development Demonstrable experience of being responsible for policy implementation and/or supporting discrete policy or service development
Stakeholder influence Essential
Demonstrate when they have been an ambassador for procurement the role will require them to be an ambassador for the DPS and to promote the benefits of professional procurement practice, Demonstrate experience of promoting procurement within a complex business to influence end users' choice of products and service and to ensure that all queries and complaints are dealt with in a professional and positive manner
Commercial Monitoring: Essential
Demonstrate experience of proactively monitoring usage trends in support of compliance and contract terms, enabling achievement of cost savings
Management Essential
Demonstrate management experience this can be direct reports or stakeholders in a complex project
Desirable
Demonstrate Responsibility for all aspects of line management of direct reports and team, including staff development, performance management, identification of training requirements, managing sickness absence, grievance, disciplinary procedures, and recruitment Demonstrate experience of training teams role will look for support in the training and education of Partner Trust staff on category management including producing training material for inclusion on local Trust intranets and delivering workshop style training to service users.
Qualifications / Experience Essential
Relevant qualification to degree level or equivalent demonstrable experience. Procurement qualification (MCIPS) or vocational level 4, plus MBA or equivalent experience Proven evidence of continuing professional development at postgraduate / masters level or equivalent. Demonstratable knowledge of Procurement Act 2023 A skilled negotiator with a broad range of skill sets Ability to be proactive, flexible, enthusiastic, confident and highly motivated individual who demonstrates a commitment to organisations objectives Ability to interpret policies and procedures and act on own initiative without reference to line manager
Desirable
MCIPS In-depth knowledge of NHS procurement policies, procedures, and regulations
Demonstration of Trust values Essential
We put people first, We listen, learn and improve. We are compassionate, We respect and value each other, We take ownership,
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 University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust
Address Devon
Plymouth
PL6 5YE
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.plymouthhospitals.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)