Job Description

An exciting opportunity has arisen for Category Specialist to join our Category Management Teams 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 one of our Digital 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.
If you would like to progress your career in procurement, please review the job description and person specification in the advert, and if you feel you match those requirements we'd love to hear from you.
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.
Day to day management responsibility for the category assistants working within this specialist area.
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
Kettering General Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is one of the largest employers in the area and we are on an exciting journey. Our mission is to provide safe, compassionate, and clinically excellent patient care, by being an outstanding employer for our people. We have entered into a Group Model with neighbouring Northampton General Hospital and have become University Hospitals of Northamptonshire. Our Excellence Values: Compassion Respect Integrity Courageous Accountable
Details
Date posted
02 September 2025
Pay scheme
Agenda for change
Band
Band 7
Salary
47,810 to 54,710 a year Per Annum
Contract
Permanent
Working pattern
Full-time
Reference number
264-7394857-COR-A
Job locations
Kettering General Hospital
Rothwell Road
Kettering
NN16 8UZ
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please see attached and Person Specification for a detailed overview of the job role. Job description
Job responsibilities
Please see attached and Person Specification for a detailed overview of the job role.
Person Specification
Training and Education
Essential

• Educated to masters level or equivalent level of education, training or experience
• MCIPS qualified, or equivalent, or have relevant experience in senior procurement role
• Demonstrate evidence of continuing professional development

Knowledge and Experience
Essential

• Extensive experience in relation to Procurement activity
• Robust knowledge of Contract Law, EU Directives and purchasing procedures.
• Can independently run competitive tender (including mini competitions), and Find a Tender procurements compliantly from start to finish - with substantial and demonstrable examples of a variety of these
• Computer literate with detailed knowledge of standard computer packages e.g Microsoft Office, Internet browsing and ordering systems.
• Substantial and demonstrable experience in a specific category area, clearly showing specialist knowledge in category area and ability to apply own judgement
• Sound understanding and knowledge in aiding implementation of procurement processes
• At least 5 years' experience in procurement

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.

Skills
Essential

• Excellent numerate, analytical and reasoning skills.
• Ability to understand and influence complex purchase to pay networks
• Ability to retrieve and interpret highly complex data as a basis for determining strategies and policies and how these should be applied to determine required procurement routes
• Ability to plan and deliver a number of concurrent complex and time-critical projects, prioritizing work to achieve deadlines
• Ability to lead, persuade and influence colleagues and service users including clinicians, senior managers and directors
• Ability to formulate, implement and review strategies, policies, work plans and performance measures.
• Ability to prioritize workload of self and team members

Key Competencies/ Personal Qualities & Attributes
Essential

• Able to demonstrate a commitment and understandingof the importance of treating all individuals with dignity and respect appropriate to their individual needs.
• Ability to operate in a multi-disciplinary environment and to develop effective internal and external relationships at all levels including director level
• 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).

Person Specification
Training and Education
Essential

• Educated to masters level or equivalent level of education, training or experience
• MCIPS qualified, or equivalent, or have relevant experience in senior procurement role
• Demonstrate evidence of continuing professional development

Knowledge and Experience
Essential

• Extensive experience in relation to Procurement activity
• Robust knowledge of Contract Law, EU Directives and purchasing procedures.
• Can independently run competitive tender (including mini competitions), and Find a Tender procurements compliantly from start to finish - with substantial and demonstrable examples of a variety of these
• Computer literate with detailed knowledge of standard computer packages e.g Microsoft Office, Internet browsing and ordering systems.
• Substantial and demonstrable experience in a specific category area, clearly showing specialist knowledge in category area and ability to apply own judgement
• Sound understanding and knowledge in aiding implementation of procurement processes
• At least 5 years' experience in procurement

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.

Skills
Essential

• Excellent numerate, analytical and reasoning skills.
• Ability to understand and influence complex purchase to pay networks
• Ability to retrieve and interpret highly complex data as a basis for determining strategies and policies and how these should be applied to determine required procurement routes
• Ability to plan and deliver a number of concurrent complex and time-critical projects, prioritizing work to achieve deadlines
• Ability to lead, persuade and influence colleagues and service users including clinicians, senior managers and directors
• Ability to formulate, implement and review strategies, policies, work plans and performance measures.
• Ability to prioritize workload of self and team members

Key Competencies/ Personal Qualities & Attributes
Essential

• Able to demonstrate a commitment and understandingof the importance of treating all individuals with dignity and respect appropriate to their individual needs.
• Ability to operate in a multi-disciplinary environment and to develop effective internal and external relationships at all levels including director level
• 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).

Skills Required