Category Manager

We are looking for an experienced Senior Category Manager to join our Strategic Procurement team, and lead the Facilities and Estates category. This role will be based at William Harvey Hospital in Ashford, Kent. The successful candidate will lead procurement and contract management initiatives, ensuring best practices and value for money across 2gether Support Solutions (2gether) and the East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust (Trust) This role is pivotal in enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of our procurement services, contributing to the overall financial health of 2gether and the Trust. Main duties of the job

• Develop and lead the team, promoting a culture that highlights the value of procurement
• Implement and continuously improve Procurement and Category Management Strategies, ensuring alignment with organisational goals
• Ensure all procurement activities comply with EU directives, national legislation, local regulations, and 2gether & Trust policies
• Oversee complex procurement projects and contracts, using specialist knowledge to maximise cost savings and risk management
• Enhance the performance of key suppliers through strategic sourcing, contracting best practices, and supply chain reviews
• Act as a key advisor to senior management, influencing and guiding procurement decisions across 2gether and the Trust
• Responsibility for a team of 4, 26 days annual leave increasing to 28 days after 3 years + bank holidays with the opportunity also to buy or sell leave.
• Company Pension
• Onsite childcare facilities
• Blink- Staff communications app
• Viv up- Staff discounts & wellbeing platform
• Discounted food in canteen
• Access to the blue light card
We offer discounts and savings that make a difference to you including :
• Discounted travel, accommodation, airport parking, holidays, skiing and travel extras
• Subsidised bus pass
• Health and beauty, gifts, toys, fashion and entertainment
• Training and development opportunities
Social values are at the core of 2gether Support Solutions. We are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workforce that truly represents our local communities. We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds, abilities, and experiences. As a Disability Confident employer, we actively encourage and support candidates with disabilities throughout the recruitment process and beyond, ensuring equal opportunities for all., The post holder will be required to develop a strategy to manage the spend Category aligned to the Customers objectives, values and vision. The post holder will use their initiative and apply their experience to manage a range of routine and novel operational and strategic issues to deliver Procurement services to the customer. This will require the analysis of procurement data from multiple sources and working with services across the Trust and with external parties such as Suppliers, Category Towers and NHS Supply Chain. The post holder will be required to find solutions in accordance with National Procurement Legislation, National and Local Procurement Strategies and Local SFI's. They will be responsible for setting the objectives of the Category Team and prioritisation of workload in accordance with agreed and perceived priorities. The post holder has responsibility for the strategic management coordination, control and development of an integrated service within 2gether support solutions for its Customer(s). The post holder will provide specialist advice and guidance on procurement and commercial matters to the company and its customer(s). The post holder will devolve operational responsibility to Category Managers as appropriate. The post holder will support the Associate Director of Strategic Procurement and Managed Equipment Services in the delivery of the overarching Procurement strategy, and associated work plans, relating to all procurement and contract management activity within the Category. As the Capital, Estates and IT team category lead and expert in this area of non-pay expenditure, the role will manage all activities to ensure the delivery of a professional, efficient, responsive, integrated and client focused procurement service to its internal and external customers. The role will manage the development and performance of a team of category managers and buyers to support the delivery of service. In managing the delivery of complex contract spend / projects, the role will use specialist procurement knowledge, category management skills, contract management experience, along with negotiation, influencing and change management skills to maximise cost savings and improve upon cost containment and risk management. Through managing the development and enhancing the performance of key suppliers, the role will improve on product and service delivery / cost, and by developing the use of category management techniques, contracting and procurement best practice and supply chain reviews, the role will actively contribute to the identification, delivery and achievement of cost savings and efficiencies across the contracting process as a whole. To develop and deliver a Category Management Strategy that ensures the alignment of procurement activity with the companys organisational strategy and objectives. To develop the systems and processes within the Category to track & report savings and benefits achieved by procurement activities. To consider sustainability and appropriate, cost effective, supply chain strategies that provide opportunities to minimise stock holding, whilst taking account of transactional supply chain costs. To be responsible for ensuring that all procurement activities operate in full accordance with Procurement Contract Regulations (2015), local regulations, and company policies to include its Standing Financial Instructions. Development of strategic sourcing strategies that consider all routes to market and appropriate levels of collaboration with local NHS and other Public Sector organisations, as well as National and Regional contracting - Leading on collaborative procurement initiatives. To maximise contract compliance across the company and develop governance processes and change management strategies to support contract compliance. To develop a product and services standardisation strategy for the Category, liaising with all key stakeholders through the multi professional sourcing groups governance structure to ensure engagement and agreement with the agreed strategy. Ensuring continued audit compliance, both internally and externally to meet Local and National compliance standards To develop and extend the efficiency culture across the company with key stakeholders; recognising the developing commercial culture of the organisation and the part that non-pay contributes to the performance of the service and the income and expenditure of the company whilst continuing to deliver technically appropriate products for To develop and deliver a Communication Strategy for the Category and deliver a training resource to facilitate the stakeholder self-service model where appropriate. Development of Supplier and Customer Relationship Management processes within the Category. Lead and maintain productive relationships with national, regional and specialised procurement agencies as required to support the Category. Recruitment and development of the Category Management Team, including development of a resource plan that meets the needs of the Category Management Strategy, associated sourcing strategies and operational Workplan. Line Management responsibility including effective support, training and mentoring to develop the capability of the team. Development of the Multi Professional Sourcing Groups, drawing on the skills mix and job roles internal to the procurement service, alongside the development of broad clinical and management engagement, within the Category. Support and assist the Assistant Director of Strategic Procurement in the delivery of the Procurement Services Strategy, providing regular management reports on progress and future opportunities for onward communication to the Management Board and other key stakeholders, deputising as required. To deal promptly with complaints and concerns from key stakeholders and suppliers on commercially sensitive and complex supply service issues.


• Minimum of 3 years of senior contracting / procurement management experience within a specialised category.
• Educated to degree level in business studies / management or equivalent.
• Working towards or holding Chartered Institute of Purchasing & Supply (MCIPS) qualification.
• Proven track record in negotiation, tendering, and project management.
• Expertise in supply, contracting, capital procurement processes, and electronic procurement systems.
Required Skills
• Contracting, negotiation, and project management
• Business acumen and ability to manage commercial opportunities
• Effective leadership, team building, and problem-solving skills
• Excellent communication, presentation, and influencing attributes
• Competent in MS Office and procurement systems, Educated to degree level or equivalent business studies / management.
• Working towards professional qualification Chartered Institute of Purchasing & Supply, MCIPS.
• Evidence of Continued Professional Development Advanced Negotiation / Contracting / Purchasing / Project Mgt courses.
• Professional qualification Chartered Institute of Purchasing & Supply MCIPS.
Experience Essential
• Minimum of 3 years senior contracting / procurement management experience within a specialist Category.
• A sound background and knowledge in all aspects of supply, contracting, capital procurement processes & electronic procurement systems.
• A demonstrable record of achievement against set targets and supply / contracting projects with managing demanding deadlines and workload.
• Proven track record of negotiation, tendering and project management experience.
• Significant project and change management experience.
• Considerable experience of leading a team and working on own initiative.
Desirable
• 3 to 5 years experience of Category Management at a senior level.
• NHS / Public Sector Experience.
Knowledge and Skills Essential
• Good business acumen, excellent contracting, negotiation and project management skills. (E)
• Effective communication, presentation and influencing skills and use of diplomacy / tact in complex environments / situations. (E)
• Customer and Supplier Management skills. (E)
• Effective leadership, team building and team working skills. (E)
• Ability to manage and implement through good organisational skills, complex and difficult projects. (E)
• Ability to prioritise and provide innovative and flexible solutions to highly complex service delivery situations. (E)
• Good problem solving, delegation and time management skills. (E)
• Good adoption of technology and use of MS Office. (E)
• A range of tools and techniques to effectively manage multiple stakeholders. (D)
• Procurement systems and eTendering systems skills. (E)
• Highly developed specialist knowledge and understanding of the Public Procurement regulations 2015 and all statutory regulations related to Procurement and Contracting. (E)
• Excellent knowledge of Public contracting and tendering procedures. (E)
• Excellent marketplace and supplier / product knowledge. (E)
• Good knowledge of contract and procurement law. (E)
• Sound understanding of accounting practices and principles. (E)
  
  2gether Support Solutions is a Facilities and Estates services company providing support to healthcare professionals caring for over 2000 patients daily across multiple East Kent hospital sites. 2gether provides vital services including maintenance, cleaning, catering, procurement, logistics and much more.