Job vacancy: Category Specialist, Kettering General Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Kettering

Job summary

Main area: Procurement
Grade: Band 7
Contract: Permanent
Hours: Full time - 37.5 hours per week (Monday - Friday)
Job ref: 264-6993624-COR

Employer: Kettering General Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Employer type: NHS
Site: Kettering General Hospital
Town: Kettering
Salary: £46,148 - £52,809 Per Annum
Salary period: Yearly
Closing: 05/03/2025 08:00

Category Specialist

Band 7

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

To consistently meet best value for money by the effective sourcing of goods and services.

To promote contract compliance across all the stakeholders within the Trust.

To ensure all procurement activities operate in full accordance with legal (UK legislation), environment and sustainability requirements.

Assist Category manager in development and implementation of category strategy to support Group wide procurement strategy

Assist in the Group working approach for specified category area, contributing to streamlined processes and documentation across the Group

Attendance and contribution as required to relevant divisional meetings, supporting CIP programmes and the pro-active management of contract expiry dates

Attendance where appropriate at Management Board meetings.

Deputise for Category Manager at meetings as required

To lead on sourcing of specific category area for University Hospitals of Northamptonshire and specific sourcing programmes for defined projects Trust wide taking the lead on the allocated sourcing category, categories or services and contributing significantly to the delivery of allocated procurement projects within key markets. Sourcing programmes may entail end to end tender process and subsequent contract management.

Lead on ensuring compliant contracts are in place with relevant KPI’s within category area

Preparation and presentation of Procurement Strategy, Procurement process plans and contributing and/or authorisation of contract award papers to the appropriate senior management, including the Executive Team.

To lead in the delivery of cost and efficiency savings across a large project range across relevant category, by analysing current spend information and undertaking market analysis to develop procurement strategies. To ensure that Divisional proposals for non-pay savings are robust and reported appropriately.

Utilise the Trusts business Intelligence tool (Qlikview) to produce reports on contract coverage, track spend activity and generate savings opportunities

To significantly contribute to the Trust’s non-pay saving target

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 on-going contract management.

Undertaking rigorous and widespread benchmarking activity to support on-going negotiation and market intelligence for designated Categories.

Person specification

Training and Education

Essential criteria

Educated to degree level or equivalent level of education, training or experience
MCIPS qualified, or equivalent, or have relevant experience in senior procurement role – as a minimum, must be working towards to CIPS qualification
Demonstrate evidence of continuing professional development

Knowledge and Experience

Essential criteria

Extensive experience in relation to Procurement activity
Robust knowledge of Contract Law, EU Directives and purchasing procedures.
Can run competitive tender (including mini competitions), and Find a Tender procurements, with support from senior team members, compliantly from start to finish – with demonstrable examples of a variety of these that have been carried out
Computer literate with detailed knowledge of standard computer packages e.g Microsoft Office, Internet browsing and ordering systems.
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.

Desirable criteria

Experience of working within the NHS and an understanding of current issues

Important Information

Applications will be transferred to TRAC system, by completing an application your are giving authorisation for the transfer of your data.

Correspondence regarding your application will be sent to you via a TRAC system account.

We are an equal opportunities employer, which aims to employ a workforce that reflects the diverse communities we serve. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons from all backgrounds.

We welcome applications from members of our black and minority ethnic (BME) communities, especially in relation to senior posts within at KGH.

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.

Appointments will be made on merit.

In submitting an application form, you authorise Kettering General Hospital (KGH) NHS Foundation Trust to confirm any previous NHS service details via the Electronic Staff Record (ESR) Inter Authority Transfer (IAT) process. Including factual reference, occupational health clearance and statutory and mandatory training record.

If you need to have a Disclosure Barring Service (DBS) check, as a requirement of the role, you will be required to repay the cost of obtaining a DBS check (£49.50) and this amount will be reclaimed from your first salary. From 1st February 2019 all new starters to the Trust are required to join the DBS update service as per Trust DBS Re-checking Policy which has an annual cost of £16. New employees who do not join the update service will be required to pay £49.50 for a new DBS check in 3 years time.

Please note that news starters with KGH are subject to a six month probationary period.

Please ensure that the information you provide on your application form is correct, accurate and that nothing has been omitted. Any information that is stated in your application form in relation to qualifications/training courses/work/education experience/references must be able to be evidenced. Failure to do so may result if your offer being withdrawn.

"Safeguarding is everyone's business. KGH considers Safeguarding a priority amongst its citizen's and a key value for all employed to the service."

We want to recruit the best people to deliver our services across the University Hospitals of Northamptonshire and help to unleash everyone’s full potential. As an organisation, we value how we communicate and promote our vacancies to all communities. The Hospital Group encourages applications from people who identify from all protected groups, especially those from BAME, Disabled and LGBTQ+ backgrounds as these are underrepresented in our hospitals. We understand that we need to work with colleagues from diverse backgrounds and make sure the environment they work in is inclusive and collaborative. We have active Networks that promote and support colleagues from all backgrounds. This ensures everyone feels supported and has a sense of belonging working for Kettering and Northampton General Hospitals.