Job Description

University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust is excited to be recruiting for a new NHS Devon Procurement Service (DPS), that will become a single procurement service for Partner Trusts in Devon.
The roles that are being recruited for this service are 2 x WTE Category Managers (Band 8A) who will operate across the Corporate and Clinical areas of spend.
This is a great opportunity for experienced procurement managers to join a new service that is focussing on the following core objectives and creating a procurement centre of excellence across the NHS in Devon:
a consistent user experience and quality of service
spend transparency and key performance indicator (KPI) reporting
supplier performance and innovation is enhanced
supply chain risk reduction
transactional purchase order and invoice volume reduction through supplier consolidation
an improvement in social value and sustainability
improving procurement compliance and efficiencies across business areas interacting regularly with procurement.
Main duties of the job
- Category and Sourcing Strategy: responsibility for developing, agreeing on, and implementing multi-year category strategies and annual work plans with stakeholders across the Partner Trusts.
- Leadership and Management: leading a team of procurement professionals, providing strategic direction and fostering a culture of continuous improvement.
- Stakeholder and Supplier Relationships: build and maintain strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including senior management, suppliers and other NHS and government bodies.
- Financial and Commercial Oversight: monitoring usage trends, manage contracts, and overseeing supplier performance against Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to ensure value for money and achieve cost savings.
- Compliance and Policy: ensuring all procurement activities comply with procurement policies, regulations, and relevant UK law, such as the Procurement Act.
- Project Management: leading complex sourcing activities, developing and overseeing detailed project plans to ensure timely delivery of procurement projects within budget.
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.
Details
Date posted
29 September 2025
Pay scheme
Agenda for change
Band
Band 8a
Salary
55,690 to 62,682 a year 55,690 - 62,682 Per Annum
Contract
Permanent
Working pattern
Full-time
Reference number
216-DH-A7479199
Job locations
University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust (flexible working; remotely and across Devon sites)
Brittany House, 1 Brest Road
Plymouth
PL6 5YE
Job description
Job responsibilities
See the attached .
The roles being recruited are
- Category Manager - Corporate/Professional Services
- Category Manager - Clinical Support
Interviews are anticipated to be undertaken on Monday 20th October. The format will be a 10 min presentation on the following
Successful delivery of collaborative procurement, related to the category that candidates would most see themselves undertaking. Presentations should include category strategy, stakeholder engagement and approach to leadership. Once shortlisted candidates will be required to send through any slides to the panel via e-mail the day before the interview.
At interview after the presentation the following questions will follow;
Question 1 - Demonstrate and explain your key skills and experience that will enable you to lead your category and provide support to your manager, colleagues and wider team effectively?
Question 2 - How will you work with key stakeholders to shape and achieve successful outcomes
Further questions related to skills, competencies and values will be asked by each recruiting manager. Where candidates require any assistance on the day please let us know in advance. We would recommend reaching out to the recruiting manager/s to understand the new service and the roles in more detail.
While the DPS is recruiting for 2 specific roles, there maybe the opportunity for an additional Clinical role to be appointed. Where this is the case the interview panel will select another appointable candidate after interview.
***Preference will be given to internal Trust staff, as well as Priority and 'At Risk' status including NHS At Risk staff throughout Devon who are able to display recent relevant experience as dictated by the Person Specification.*** Job description
Job responsibilities
See the attached .
The roles being recruited are
- Category Manager - Corporate/Professional Services
- Category Manager - Clinical Support
Interviews are anticipated to be undertaken on Monday 20th October. The format will be a 10 min presentation on the following
Successful delivery of collaborative procurement, related to the category that candidates would most see themselves undertaking. Presentations should include category strategy, stakeholder engagement and approach to leadership. Once shortlisted candidates will be required to send through any slides to the panel via e-mail the day before the interview.
At interview after the presentation the following questions will follow;
Question 1 - Demonstrate and explain your key skills and experience that will enable you to lead your category and provide support to your manager, colleagues and wider team effectively?
Question 2 - How will you work with key stakeholders to shape and achieve successful outcomes
Further questions related to skills, competencies and values will be asked by each recruiting manager. Where candidates require any assistance on the day please let us know in advance. We would recommend reaching out to the recruiting manager/s to understand the new service and the roles in more detail.
While the DPS is recruiting for 2 specific roles, there maybe the opportunity for an additional Clinical role to be appointed. Where this is the case the interview panel will select another appointable candidate after interview.
***Preference will be given to internal Trust staff, as well as Priority and 'At Risk' status including NHS At Risk staff throughout Devon who are able to display recent relevant experience as dictated by the Person Specification.***
Person Specification
Knowledge & Experience
Essential

• Demonstrable experience in a Category Management or related procurement role.
• Demonstrable experience of business case development and tender processes
• Demonstrable experience of line management of a single function or department

Desirable

• Demonstrable experience of being responsible for policy implementation and/or supporting discrete policy or service development

Qualifications
Essential

• Relevant qualification to degree level or equivalent demonstrable experience.
• Professional procurement qualification (MCIPS) or vocational level 4, plus MBA or equivalent demonstrable experience
• Proven evidence of continuing professional development at postgraduate / masters level or equivalent

Desirable

• Post Graduate Diploma or Corporate member in Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply (CIPS) or other appropriate professional institute or relevant experience
• Prince2 or other relevant project management qualification

Aptitude & Abilities
Essential

• Ability to interpret policies and procedures and act on own initiative without reference to line manager
• Leads by example and instils a professional and team-based approach to workload

Desirable

• Proven knowledge and awareness of NHS or wider healthcare sector operating models and policy developments would be advantageous, although not essential.
• Leading and Managing Others: Strong project leadership and management capabilities and experience, with capacity to manage multiple small and medium sized projects

Person Specification
Knowledge & Experience
Essential

• Demonstrable experience in a Category Management or related procurement role.
• Demonstrable experience of business case development and tender processes
• Demonstrable experience of line management of a single function or department

Desirable

• Demonstrable experience of being responsible for policy implementation and/or supporting discrete policy or service development

Qualifications
Essential

• Relevant qualification to degree level or equivalent demonstrable experience.
• Professional procurement qualification (MCIPS) or vocational level 4, plus MBA or equivalent demonstrable experience
• Proven evidence of continuing professional development at postgraduate / masters level or equivalent

Desirable

• Post Graduate Diploma or Corporate member in Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply (CIPS) or other appropriate professional institute or relevant experience
• Prince2 or other relevant project management qualification

Aptitude & Abilities
Essential

• Ability to interpret policies and procedures and act on own initiative without reference to line manager
• Leads by example and instils a professional and team-based approach to workload

Desirable

• Proven knowledge and awareness of NHS or wider healthcare sector operating models and policy developments would be advantageous, although not essential.
• Leading and Managing Others: Strong project leadership and management capabilities and experience, with capacity to manage multiple small and medium sized projects

Skills Required