Job Description

We are looking for a Category Specialist who can Provide comprehensive procurement support, advice and guidance to a broad range of stakeholders to support robust procurement decision making.
To deliver and support various categories including Digital, Estates/Property, Healthcare and Corporate Services categories for Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (SPFT) and Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (SABP).
Suitable for someone who has
Has knowledge of professional procurement principles and NHS procurement experience, including use of electronic purchasing/procurement systems. The successful candidate will be passionate about improving patients' lives through securing high quality value for money goods and services, using innovative procurement practices.
The successful candidate will enjoy working in a complex environment, demonstrate attention to detail, embrace change and thrive on developing others, as well as demonstrate support for the values and beliefs of the Trusts.
The successful candidate will be punctual and flexible across hours of work and have the ability to travel across sites throughout the health economy to ensure that personal contact is maintained with clinical colleagues and stakeholders.
Main duties of the job

• To develop an understanding of organisational change and influence in order to be able to respond to the needs of customers.
• To develop strategies for the successful implementation, both locally, regionally and at cluster level, of innovative efficient solutions delivering benefits (cash releasing and other) to the customer.
• To collect information regarding supplier performance for contract reviews. Collect and collate information regarding customer perceptions of success of service and contracts negotiated on their behalf, and feed these in to departmental procurement procedures. (Support development of contract KPIs and assist with continued supplier contract performance).
• To research into supply markets in support of development of Strategic sourcing strategies.
• To conduct surveys of the market place in which the category operates to enable informed decisions on future contracts.
• To meet customer requirements by demonstrating an integrated approach to aligning deliverables that ensure client commitment and compliance with category priorities, promoting and supporting the mobilisation of contracts to agreed standards and timescales.

About us
Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust is the leading provider of mental health, learning disability, neurodevelopmental and drug and alcohol services in Surrey and North East Hampshire. We support people of all ages and are passionate about providing high quality care that is delivered at the right time as close to home as possible to help people recover and stay well.
We are one of the top 10 mental Health, Learning Disability and Community Trust to work for nationwide. Our Trust is an inclusive and supportive employer that offers a wide range of staff networks, flexible working, free parking and excellent health and wellbeing support. We also provide a wide range of opportunities to help staff develop and progress.
Surrey is a beautiful county lying just 30 minutes away from Central London and from the South Coast. Our historic market towns and bustling districts are enveloped in wonderful countryside, and our excellent road and rail networks bring the rest of the country within easy reach. For international travel, both Gatwick and Heathrow airports are nearby.
Please note that we reserve the right to close posts as soon as sufficient applications are received.
Regrettably, due to UK Home Office requirements we cannot offer sponsorship for all our job roles.
Applicants must have the right to work in the UK for the duration of the role.
We look forward to receiving your application!
Details
Date posted
03 September 2025
Pay scheme
Agenda for change
Band
Band 6
Salary
40,617 to 48,778 a year per annum
Contract
Permanent
Working pattern
Full-time
Reference number
325-7398264-CORP
Job locations
18 Mole Business Park
Randalls Road
Leatherhead
KT22 7AD
Job description
Job responsibilities
Key accountabilitiesYou will be responsible for the planning and coordination of a procurement work plan for the Customer, identifying key procurement projects, key dates, financial values, and sourcing strategies, by drawing upon internal and external data sources and regulations. You will also be required to assist the, Senior Category Managers, and where necessary, the Associate Director of Procurement and the Strategic Procurement Manager in delivering a strategic procurement serviceon specific/allocated portfolio of sourcing categories and contribute significantly to the delivery of allocated procurement projects within key market. This will involve ensuring contract compliance, sustainable cost improvements, and a range of benefits across the organisation with due regard fordemonstrating best value for money, compliance with category priorities and contracts, and actively managing the market place through development of key strategies for supplier and contract management.
You will be expected to undertake measurement techniques to evaluate the effectiveness in quality terms of products and services and complete market research to drive change and innovative procurement. You will take the appropriate action when there are persistent quality problems.Tendering activity:You will be responsible for the delivery of a number of competitive potentially high value tender / quotation exercises, taking the lead role for the delivery of allocated procurements within key markets, ensuring contract compliance, robust audit trails, sustainable cost improvements, SocialValue Act guidance and a range of other benefits across the organisation.Purchase Orders:You will be responsible for the authorisation of purchase orders, in line with the hierarchy for authorisation and the general business needs of the organisation such as covering for absences, backlogs, emergencies, etc., overseeing purchase orders for the area.Framework AgreementsTo promote and support the use of applicable framework agreements by stakeholders and procurement staff with a view to reducing year on year the number of independent/open tenders undertaken by The Trusts.Customer relationship:To develop and maintain strong working relationships with customers (which will also include external stakeholders), meeting customer requirements and expectations, and setting standards for other staff within the team. To drive change and innovation in both SPFT and SABPFT, in orderto deliver commercial excellence across the regions.
For further information please see the attached Job description
Job responsibilities
Key accountabilitiesYou will be responsible for the planning and coordination of a procurement work plan for the Customer, identifying key procurement projects, key dates, financial values, and sourcing strategies, by drawing upon internal and external data sources and regulations. You will also be required to assist the, Senior Category Managers, and where necessary, the Associate Director of Procurement and the Strategic Procurement Manager in delivering a strategic procurement serviceon specific/allocated portfolio of sourcing categories and contribute significantly to the delivery of allocated procurement projects within key market. This will involve ensuring contract compliance, sustainable cost improvements, and a range of benefits across the organisation with due regard fordemonstrating best value for money, compliance with category priorities and contracts, and actively managing the market place through development of key strategies for supplier and contract management.
You will be expected to undertake measurement techniques to evaluate the effectiveness in quality terms of products and services and complete market research to drive change and innovative procurement. You will take the appropriate action when there are persistent quality problems.Tendering activity:You will be responsible for the delivery of a number of competitive potentially high value tender / quotation exercises, taking the lead role for the delivery of allocated procurements within key markets, ensuring contract compliance, robust audit trails, sustainable cost improvements, SocialValue Act guidance and a range of other benefits across the organisation.Purchase Orders:You will be responsible for the authorisation of purchase orders, in line with the hierarchy for authorisation and the general business needs of the organisation such as covering for absences, backlogs, emergencies, etc., overseeing purchase orders for the area.Framework AgreementsTo promote and support the use of applicable framework agreements by stakeholders and procurement staff with a view to reducing year on year the number of independent/open tenders undertaken by The Trusts.Customer relationship:To develop and maintain strong working relationships with customers (which will also include external stakeholders), meeting customer requirements and expectations, and setting standards for other staff within the team. To drive change and innovation in both SPFT and SABPFT, in orderto deliver commercial excellence across the regions.
For further information please see the attached
Person Specification
Qualifications & Experience
Essential

• Achieved or willing to work towards being CIPS qualified
• Educated to degree level or evidence of working at an equivalent level

Desirable

• Experience in using the range of available software packages, i.e. Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access
• Understanding of the Public Contracts Regulations and the ability to advise and provide guidance on these within an NHS setting
• Minimum of two years' experience working in a procurement environment, running electronic tenders, undertaking contract management, supplier reviews, stakeholder relations and category management

Experience & Qualifications
Essential

• Educated to degree level or evidence of working at an equivalent level

Person Specification
Qualifications & Experience
Essential

• Achieved or willing to work towards being CIPS qualified
• Educated to degree level or evidence of working at an equivalent level

Desirable

• Experience in using the range of available software packages, i.e. Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access
• Understanding of the Public Contracts Regulations and the ability to advise and provide guidance on these within an NHS setting
• Minimum of two years' experience working in a procurement environment, running electronic tenders, undertaking contract management, supplier reviews, stakeholder relations and category management

Experience & Qualifications
Essential

• Educated to degree level or evidence of working at an equivalent level

Skills Required