Procurement Senior Category Manager

University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust

Procurement Senior Category Manager

The closing date is 29 October 2026

Reporting to the Deputy Director of Procurement the post holder will provide oversight and leadership to the category management teams and provide a key role in the delivery of the procurement work plan across both Clinical Management Groups and Corporate Directorates as relevant to the scope of the post.

This will include managing a portfolio of projects across one or more Procurement Categories to achieve the most economic supply arrangements, whilst adhering to procurement rules and Trust governance.

Developing and leading on strategic sourcing programmes for defined categories across non-pay. Taking the lead on specific / allocated portfolio of sourcing categories and contributing significantly to the delivery of allocated procurement projects within key markets. I

The role includes deputising for the Deputy Director of Procurement and Head of Procurement when required, providing procurement category support and guidance to the wider procurement team, representing the Trust confidently at internal and external forums, and building strong relationships with suppliers and senior stakeholders to communicate complex procurement and financial risks clearly and effectively.

This advert is for a Procurement Senior Category Manager post for Non clinical categories.

Previous applicants need not apply.

Main duties of the job

At a strategic level the scope is to plan, develop and implement appropriate sourcing strategies for designated categories of the Trusts c£190m p.a. influenceable non-pay expenditure on product and services.

The role includes:

Challenging and influencing both the level of demand, and the specification of demand from the perspective of a thorough understanding of the supply market.

Engaging and working closely with the senior stakeholders and practitioners who provide healthcare and support services to help identify improvements and changes in practice arising from supply market opportunities.

Documenting, communicating, and influencing Clinical Management Groups, Commercial Executive Members, and other senior stakeholders to ensure effective 'buy-in' to the proposed category strategies.

Putting in place the most appropriate commercial arrangements to help ensure the right quality and least total cost to the Trust ensuring arrangements work as intended.

Developing and managing key relationships with stakeholders and suppliers

Act as Procurement lead for specified Clinical / Corporate Management Groups and Directorates.

Building proactive mutually beneficial system relationships to maximise collaborative working opportunities.

Persuade and influence end users, clinicians, and other members of staff of the benefits of participating in procurement exercises

Interview date: 11 November 2026

About us

As a trusted organisation at the heart of our communities, we recognise the important role we can play in supporting the public, patients, our own people and local partners in achieving the best of health for the local population and the communities in which they live by providing Exceptional Care Together

Our fundamental Values of Compassion, Openness and Excellence underpin how we intend to work as a Trust and the associated behaviours are becoming embedded in all aspects of how we work.

In return we will offer:

• Development opportunities, both professional and leadership development
• On-going support from recruitment to when you join our team and beyond.
• Staff benefits including employee assistance programme, discounted gym membership, onsite fitness classes, car schemes

Key Facts:

• We see on average 4810 OP appointments a day.
• We are the 4th busiest Trauma & Orthopaedic outpatients department in England - an average of 2077 per week.
• An average of 1115 patients are seen in A&Es across our network every day - 3rd largest in the country.
• Our hospitals admit an average of 195 emergency patients daily.
• Last year we undertook almost 33,700 planned surgical operations in our 57 operating theatres.
• We are one of only 7 Trusts nationally with more than 50 operating theatres.
• We carry out more than 140 elective procedures each working day.
• UHDB is a research active University Hospital with a large and varied portfolio of clinical trials and research opportunities for all staff.

Job responsibilities

Please see attached Job description and Person Specification.

UHDB is committed to fair and transparent recruitment. We welcome authentic applications that reflect your own skills, experience and motivations for the role. While we understand that candidates may use AI tools for grammar, formatting or accessibility purposes, applications that appear to be substantially AIgenerated may be subject to additional review. If this applies to your submission, we will let you know and may ask for clarification. Please ensure your application accurately represents your experience and is written in your own words.

Your application (for shortlisting purposes) is assessed based on the Person Specification in the job advert (below).

Person Specification

Education, Training and Qualifications

• Understanding of relevant legislation, procurement law, and national policy frameworks affecting NHS procurement .
• Evidence of continuing professional development in procurement, or NHS management
• Master's degree in a relevant field (e.g., procurement, business administration, contract management)

Experience & Knowledge

• Extensive experience of procurement category management within the NHS or a large complex organisation.
• Extensive experience leading on complex / high value tenders from scoping to award.
• Extensive experience of interpreting and implementing NHS standard contracts and national tariff guidance.
• Experience of deputising for senior managers, providing cover at internal and external forums.
• Experience working in healthcare provider procurement category management
• Experience of collaborative working across systems
• Direct line management of staff, including objective setting, mentoring appraisal and staff development
• Experience in advanced negotiation

Skills and Ability

• Extensive ability to interpret complex data and contractual information, tender submissions to support decision making.
• Extensive experience of financial and risk analysis in a procurement environment.
• Ability to evaluate commercial opportunities, cost-benefit cases, and options appraisals.
• Creative, innovative, and visionary mind-set
• Knowledge of strategic sourcing methodologies
• Knowledge of supply chain theory

Communications and interpersonal skills

• Extensive strong negotiation, influencing and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to communicate highly complex, sensitive and contentious information.
• Ability to build effective relationships with senior stakeholders across boundaries
• Proven high level of communication skills using a range of methods including written, verbal and presentations
• Experience of customer relationship management within a large complex organisation.
• Ability to operate / think laterally and work on own initiative.
• Experience of presenting at committees or boards

Values and Behaviours

• Committed to and demonstrates the Trusts values of compassion, openness and excellence
• Commitment to continuous improvement and collaborative working.
• Demonstrates resilience and adaptability under pressure

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Employer name

University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust