Job Description

The role of Category Manager encompasses the following:
1. Support the respective Senior Buyers and Buyers, ensuring projects are carried out effectively and responsibly and according to policies;
2. Responsible for managing and developing the PPS contracts work-plan with regard to the category spend allocated in order to drive the category workload and ensure effective contract coverage. Incorporate national and collaborative procurement priorities and contracts into the work-plan, ensuring use of the appropriate sourcing strategy.
3. To identify and deliver savings towards the Partner Trusts' QIPP/ CIP / CRES targets. To ensure savings are recorded regularly and accurately;
4. Work and liaise with all PPS staff to ensure an effective programme for category contract coverage as appropriate for benefit realisation for Partner Trusts;
5. Keep abreast with technology improvements and developments within the category. Develop team members category market knowledge
6. Support PPS staff to apply agreed process management and procedures;
7. Provide advice, expertise and support to stakeholders for category product selection, market testing and other related activities where appropriate;
Please refer to the JD for the rest of the information
Main duties of the job
The role of Category Manager encompasses the following:
1. Support the respective Senior Buyers and Buyers, ensuring projects are carried out effectively and responsibly and according to policies;
2. Responsible for managing and developing the PPS contracts work-plan with regard to the category spend allocated in order to drive the category workload and ensure effective contract coverage. Incorporate national and collaborative procurement priorities and contracts into the work-plan, ensuring use of the appropriate sourcing strategy.
3 To identify and deliver savings towards the Partner Trusts' QIPP/ CIP / CRES targets. To ensure savings are recorded regularly and accurately;
4. Work and liaise with all PPS staff to ensure an effective programme for category contract coverage as appropriate for benefit realisation for Partner Trusts;
5. Keep abreast with technology improvements and developments within the category. Develop team members category market knowledge
6. Support PPS staff to apply agreed process management and procedures;
7. Provide advice, expertise and support to stakeholders for category product selection, market testing and other related activities where appropriate;
Please refer to the JD for the rest of the information
About us
Partner Trusts have established the Partners Procurement Service (PPS) in order to improve their combined procurement effectiveness and deliver better value for money.
The participating Partner Trusts are:
Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust (MEH)
Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust (RFL)
The Whittington Hospital NHS Trust (WH)
The PPS is jointly and equally owned by all Partner Trusts and is hosted by WH. But staff may be employed on any of the PPS sites.
The rationale for the creation of the PPS is to establish a shared service able to improve the quality of a wide range of procurement services, deliver a more cost effective procurement and supply chain solution and enhance the non-pay benefits to each Trust.
Details
Date posted
03 February 2026
Pay scheme
Agenda for change
Band
Band 7
Salary
56,276 to 63,176 a year Per Annum Including HCAS
Contract
Permanent
Working pattern
Full-time
Reference number
220-WHT-3414-B
Job locations
Royal Free Hospital
London
NW2 3QG
Job description
Job responsibilities
The role of Category Manager encompasses the following:
1. Support the respective Senior Buyers and Buyers, ensuring projects are carried out effectively and responsibly and according to policies;
2. Responsible for managing and developing the PPS contracts work-plan with regard to the category spend allocated in order to drive the category workload and ensure effective contract coverage. Incorporate national and collaborative procurement priorities and contracts into the work-plan, ensuring use of the appropriate sourcing strategy.
3. To identify and deliver savings towards the Partner Trusts QIPP/ CIP / CRES targets. To ensure savings are recorded regularly and accurately;
4. Work and liaise with all PPS staff to ensure an effective programme for category contract coverage as appropriate for benefit realisation for Partner Trusts;
5. Keep abreast with technology improvements and developments within the category. Develop team members category market knowledge
6. Support PPS staff to apply agreed process management and procedures;
7. Provide advice, expertise and support to stakeholders for category product selection, market testing and other related activities where appropriate;
Please refer to the JD for the rest of the information Job description
Job responsibilities
The role of Category Manager encompasses the following:
1. Support the respective Senior Buyers and Buyers, ensuring projects are carried out effectively and responsibly and according to policies;
2. Responsible for managing and developing the PPS contracts work-plan with regard to the category spend allocated in order to drive the category workload and ensure effective contract coverage. Incorporate national and collaborative procurement priorities and contracts into the work-plan, ensuring use of the appropriate sourcing strategy.
3. To identify and deliver savings towards the Partner Trusts QIPP/ CIP / CRES targets. To ensure savings are recorded regularly and accurately;
4. Work and liaise with all PPS staff to ensure an effective programme for category contract coverage as appropriate for benefit realisation for Partner Trusts;
5. Keep abreast with technology improvements and developments within the category. Develop team members category market knowledge
6. Support PPS staff to apply agreed process management and procedures;
7. Provide advice, expertise and support to stakeholders for category product selection, market testing and other related activities where appropriate;
Please refer to the JD for the rest of the information
Person Specification
Experience
Essential

• Experience in working within a relevant Acute and or Community procurement environment, within the NHS with knowledge of Soft FM, Hard FM and IT category
• Experience and knowledge of acute hospital sector buying and local buying procedures and use of IT system needs.
• Knowledge and experience of EU rules within the NHS context.

Education and Qualifications
Essential

• A comprehensive understanding of the Procurement Act 2023 and other relevant UK public procurement legislation.
• CIPS Certified
• Educated to degree level or equivalent experience.

Other requirements
Essential

• Commitment to learning and self development
• Strong identity with the core values of the public service and the NHS
• Ability to deal with pressurised situations in terms of peak work-load periods
• IT Literate with working knowledge of key MS packages

Skills and Abilities
Essential

• Capable of undertaking analytical tasks and manipulation of spreadsheets
• Good and effective interpersonal and communication skills to enable effective team working
• Team player with the ability to contribute effectively at junior management level.
• Capable of demonstrating negotiation skills

Person Specification
Experience
Essential

• Experience in working within a relevant Acute and or Community procurement environment, within the NHS with knowledge of Soft FM, Hard FM and IT category
• Experience and knowledge of acute hospital sector buying and local buying procedures and use of IT system needs.
• Knowledge and experience of EU rules within the NHS context.

Education and Qualifications
Essential

• A comprehensive understanding of the Procurement Act 2023 and other relevant UK public procurement legislation.
• CIPS Certified
• Educated to degree level or equivalent experience.

Other requirements
Essential

• Commitment to learning and self development
• Strong identity with the core values of the public service and the NHS
• Ability to deal with pressurised situations in terms of peak work-load periods
• IT Literate with working knowledge of key MS packages

Skills and Abilities
Essential

• Capable of undertaking analytical tasks and manipulation of spreadsheets
• Good and effective interpersonal and communication skills to enable effective team working
• Team player with the ability to contribute effectively at junior management level.
• Capable of demonstrating negotiation skills

Skills Required