Job vacancy: Category Specialist, University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust, Leicester

Job summary

Main area: Procurement
Grade: NHS AfC: Band 7
Contract: Permanent: Agile Working Policy requires minimum of two days in the office per week, however each role will be flexible on both parties..
Hours: Full time - 37.5 hours per week
Job ref: 358-6753655-COR

Employer: University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust
Employer type: NHS
Site: University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust c/o Leicestershire County Council
Town: Leicester
Salary: £46,148 - £52,809 pro rata, per annum
Salary period: Yearly
Closing: 30/12/2024 23:59

Category Specialist

NHS AfC: Band 7

We are actively promoting flexible working options, helping you to manage a work / life balance

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

The post holder will be responsible for:

Leading on specific sourcing programmes for defined projects, both Trust wide and in single CMGs, taking the lead on the allocated sourcing category or categories, and contributing significantly to the delivery of allocated procurement projects wthin key markets.
Able to deputize for the Category Manager or project procurement lead.
The preparation and presentation of Procurement/ Category Strategies.
Procurement process plans and making recommendations on contract award to the Commercial Executive.
Assisting in the delivery of cost and efficiency savings across a large project range across CMG’s, by analysing current spend information and undertaking complex market analysis or product usage and cost trends to develop procurement strategies. To ensure that CMG proposals for non-pay savings are robust and reported appropriately.
The engagement of Clinicians, Managers and Stakeholders in the end to end process for product selection and supply of services, including demand challenge, transition and implementation planning and development of strategy, tender evaluation, award criteria, and ongoing contract management.
Promoting contract compliance across the Trust in particular where commitment contracts are placed, through escalation to the Senior Category Manager.
Undertaking rigorous and widespread benchmarking activity to support on-going negotiation and market intelligence for designated Categories.
Supporting the development, creation, and delivery of the strategy for demand challenge and procurement process by liaising with the necessary clinical leads and medical staff, recommending change where necessary to affect efficiencies and savings.
Working with Senior Procurement Management to develop networks to promote greater understanding and buy in to the Trust and Procurement Strategy.
Senior activity in liaising with colleagues at all levels to ensure compliance in the use of agreed standardised products, ensuring the range of items within catalogues are rationalised to an optimum level.
Take the lead on setting up and/or work with established product evaluation groups across the Trust to evaluate products and fast track product rationalisation decisions.
Promoting the standardisation of equipment using evidence base and innovative practice across the health economy of the region by carrying out effective, collaborative equipment purchases and trials.
Representing UHL in working with other public bodies in the integration of purchasing/product service standardisation.
Make recommendations as to products and services to purchase in conjunction with Clinical and User networks
Work with conflicting stakeholder needs through sourcing groups providing a robust whole life costing approach to ensure best value to the Clinical Management Groups/ Divisions
Provide reports to support the Senior Category Manager / Category Managers attendance at relevant senior meetings.
Responsible for the authorisation of contracts and purchase orders within the Scheme of Delegation.
Analyse the past financial performance of suppliers to make recommendations as to the financial capacity of an organisation to trade with the Trust.
Use of procurement and financial management systems:
Responsible for managing tenders through the online tendering system and contract management.
Process orders within financial delegation.
Use of benchmarking software to produce and interpret reports to present to CMG's.
Inputting and manipulating data, using software to produce reports
Manage and coordinate the work to support the Category lead in gathering and analysing spend and supplier data, and if appropriate tracking benefits with the input of Finance and preparing these for inclusion in reports and presentations.
To liaise with the Supplies Operations team in relation to any contracts convened, ensuring information is presented to them in a timely and agreed format. To provide data to update the catalogue with new supplier details product details, contract dates and prices and payment terms.
Liaising with colleagues at all levels to ensure compliance in the use of agreed standardised products, ensuring the range of items within catalogues are rationalised to an optimum level.
General Activities
- To support the provision of market data for agreed commodities or service areas meeting suppliers as appropriate and disseminating information to appropriate personnel within the Trust.
- To monitor procurement developments of external organisations
- To represent Procurement at meetings within the Trust.
- To assist in the development of the Department’s services

Person specification

Training & Qualifications

Essential criteria

Degree or relevant experience.
Hold a professional procurement qualification or have relevant procurement experience.
Demonstrate evidence of continuing professional development.

Experience

Essential criteria

Proven ability to operate/think laterally & work on own initiative.
Expert theoretical knowledge of public sector procurement.
Industrious and versatile.
Proven experience of procurement/category management within a large organisation, including management of complex tenders.
Experience of using e-tendering solutions.

Desirable criteria

Experience of procurement/category management within the NHS.
Experience in negotiation.
Experience of Demand Management techniques
Experience of Managing Staff

Communication and relationship skills

Essential criteria

Tactful, diplomatic and at ease with all kinds of people.
Proven high level of communication skills using a range of methods including written, verbal and presentations.
Ability to lead and cooperate with cross functional teams to drive progress.
Articulate with practised and developed interpersonal communication and presentational skills.

Desirable criteria

Experience working within a team/workshop environment which produces measurable outputs

Analytical and Judgement skills

Essential criteria

Demonstrate the ability to analyse and interpret data
Show a good level of comprehension and ability to interpret reports and other market information

Desirable criteria

Experience in preparing reports and analyses for senior management

Planning and organisation skills

Essential criteria

Ability to prioritise a wide range of competing priorities of own workload and that of the team.
Evidence of the ability to work on own initiative and plan effectively.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

Essential criteria

Able to demonstrate a commitment to and understanding of the importance of treating all individuals with dignity and respect appropriate to their individual needs.
All staff are expected to engage in compassionate and inclusive leadership in the provision of high quality care and interactions with others

Other requirements specific to the role

Essential criteria

Potential to develop and change within the changing NHS.
Conversant with information management and technology.
Demonstrate solid achievement in their current/previous roles.
Enthusiastic and motivated.
Reliable and gives attention to detail.

Desirable criteria

Vehicle License Holder.

Commitment to Trust Values and Behaviours

Essential criteria

Must be able to demonstrate behaviours consistent with the Trust’s Values and Behaviours

Additional Information

Please submit your application form without delay to avoid disappointment; we will close vacancies prior to the publishing closing date if we receive a sufficient number of completed application forms.

Please check the email account (including your junk mail) that you supplied as part of your application on a regular basis following the closing date and throughout the recruitment process, as this is how we will communicate with you.

UHL is an equal opportunities employer. We aim to employ a workforce that reflects the diverse communities we serve. We welcome applications from people from all backgrounds who match our job criteria.

Applicants who have a disability and meet the essential criteria for the job will be interviewed if you indicate you wish to be considered under the Guaranteed Interview Scheme. If you require a reasonable adjustment at any stage of the recruitment process please make the recruitment services team aware as soon as possible.

UHL is committed to helping colleagues balance the demands of both their work and personal needs through flexible working arrangements wherever reasonably practicable and subject to service needs.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

Please note if you are successful in obtaining this position and the post involves regulated activity you will be required to undertake a Disclosure & Barring Service check.

The Trust will pay for the check initially and the money will then be deducted from your salary over a three month period commencing on your first month's payment.

The current price of a check is £38 for an enhanced and £18 for a standard check.

COVID 19 Risk Assessment

Due to the current Covid pandemic we have introduced a staff risk assessment into our pre-employment process. This now forms part of the mandatory pre-employment checks that will be carried out if you receive a conditional offer.

The risk assessment is intended to ensure you are able to safely perform your duties in any of our work areas, and if you have been identified as being particularly vulnerable to coronavirus. Our main aim is to reduce risk and to ensure the safety of all new starters to the Trust as well as current staff, patients and visitors.

If it is identified that you are within a vulnerable category, we will endeavor to make reasonable adjustments to accommodate this through discussions with both Occupational Health and your recruiting manager.

Covid Vaccination Status

Covid-19 vaccination remains the best way to protect yourself, family, colleagues and our patients/service users from the Covid-19 virus. We therefore continue to encourage our current and potential colleagues to get vaccinated.

University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust holds the principles of equality, diversity and inclusion at the heart of everything it does and all that it stands for. We are committed to developing a workforce that is representative of the community we serve. We welcome applications from the diverse community of Leicester, Leicester and Rutland, to help deliver healthcare services that meets the needs of our diverse communities.