Job Description

Are you an experienced procurement professional ready to take the next step in your career?
We're looking for a Senior Category Manager to join our dynamic team and lead strategic procurement initiatives that deliver real value.
About the Role
As a Senior Category Manager, you will:

• Be responsible for delivering strategic procurement initiatives across an allocated portfolio of sourcing categories, ensuring full compliance with relevant legislation, UK law and the Trust's Standing Financial Instructions.
• Provide efficient and effective procurement services within your designated categories, maximising value for money through process improvement, robust sourcing strategies and total cost of ownership analysis.

About YouWe're seeking someone who:

• Has proven experience in category management and capital procurement projects
• Possesses strong negotiation and supplier management skills.
• Is commercially astute with excellent analytical capabilities.
• Can build strong relationships and influence senior stakeholders.
• Holds relevant professional qualifications (e.g., CIPS) or equivalent experience.

Why Join Us?

• Opportunity to shape procurement strategy in a forward-thinking organisation.
• Professional development and career progression.
• Collaborative and supportive team environment.

Apply today and help us deliver smarter procurement solutions!
Previous applicants need not re-apply.
Main duties of the job
You will be required to work on an array of projects including Professional Services, Capital Projects and some services that support Clinical delivery, influencing a total expenditure of around ~30m per annum.
You will develop, manage and report on an agreed work plan and savings plan, which will include the realisation of annual savings and compliance with all relevant procurement legislation.
Please note that this post is primarily based at the Archipelago Offices, located approximately a 10-minute walk from Frimley Park Hospital.
Although the main base is Archipelago, this is a cross-site role with responsibilities across all three of the Trust's hospital locations. The post holder will therefore be required to work flexibly and travel between sites as needed.
About us
Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust is committed to being an inclusive and disability confident employer and has been awarded the Gold for the Armed Forces Employment Recognition Scheme. We provide first class development opportunities for all staff and have a wide range of professional, management and leadership, and clinical skills training available.
Here at Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust, we know how important it is to have a healthy work life balance; this benefits not only individuals but the patients we care for too.
We encourage applications from people who wish to work on a flexible basis, recognising that flexibility may mean a range of different working patterns and hours, we do our utmost to work with our staff to meet their needs and the needs of our service and its users.
Frimley Health Trust benefits on Vimeo
Details
Date posted
27 January 2026
Pay scheme
Agenda for change
Band
Band 8a
Salary
57,888 to 64,880 a year per annum incl HCAS
Contract
Fixed term
Duration
24 months
Working pattern
Full-time
Reference number
151-ES70-B
Job locations
Archipelago, Building 1
Lyon Way
Frimley
GU16 7UJ
Job description
Job responsibilities
For a full list of responsibilities and tasks associated with this role, please refer to the job description/person specification attached to this vacancy. Job description
Job responsibilities
For a full list of responsibilities and tasks associated with this role, please refer to the job description/person specification attached to this vacancy.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential

• Member of CIPS or equivalent
• Educated to degree level or equivalent
• Evidence of CPD related to purchasing and supply chain management

Desirable

• Project management (PRINCE2 or equivalent)
• An appropriate professional and/or management qualification

Experience
Essential

• Significant experience of Category Management role
• Demonstrable experience of running capital/professional services procurement projects
• Evidence of achievements in terms of savings/service improvements
• Experience in people management

Desirable

• Experience of working with senior staff
• Experience of working with the NHS Terms and Conditions of Supply

Skills/Knowledge
Essential

• Ability to effectively manage and successfully deliver a number of projects of varying complexities with competing timescales
• Able to work on a number of projects or pieces of work simultaneously and deliver to agreed deadlines, despite likely conflicting pressures from various stakeholders
• Ability to analyse and interpret complex information to assess issues, anticipate problems and provide effective solutions to meet the needs of stakeholders
• Demonstrable advanced IT skills including specialist software for contract management, e-tendering, mathematical, logical formulas and to generate accurate charts/graphs

Desirable

• Ability to work autonomously with credibility at a senior level of the organisation
• Developed knowledge of Microsoft products and able to use initiative and knowledge of these products to suggest and implement process improvements

Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential

• Member of CIPS or equivalent
• Educated to degree level or equivalent
• Evidence of CPD related to purchasing and supply chain management

Desirable

• Project management (PRINCE2 or equivalent)
• An appropriate professional and/or management qualification

Experience
Essential

• Significant experience of Category Management role
• Demonstrable experience of running capital/professional services procurement projects
• Evidence of achievements in terms of savings/service improvements
• Experience in people management

Desirable

• Experience of working with senior staff
• Experience of working with the NHS Terms and Conditions of Supply

Skills/Knowledge
Essential

• Ability to effectively manage and successfully deliver a number of projects of varying complexities with competing timescales
• Able to work on a number of projects or pieces of work simultaneously and deliver to agreed deadlines, despite likely conflicting pressures from various stakeholders
• Ability to analyse and interpret complex information to assess issues, anticipate problems and provide effective solutions to meet the needs of stakeholders
• Demonstrable advanced IT skills including specialist software for contract management, e-tendering, mathematical, logical formulas and to generate accurate charts/graphs

Desirable

• Ability to work autonomously with credibility at a senior level of the organisation
• Developed knowledge of Microsoft products and able to use initiative and knowledge of these products to suggest and implement process improvements

Skills Required