Senior Category Manager

Overview

In this Senior Category Manager role, you drive strategic procurement outcomes across clinical categories within a public healthcare setting. You will lead end-to-end procurement projects, influence senior stakeholders, and shape procurement strategy to deliver value for money, efficiency, and compliance. You’ll collaborate with clinicians, finance, and operations to improve services across partner organisations. This position offers a meaningful impact on NHS/public sector procurement and supplier relationships, with opportunities to mentor others and scale improvements.

Responsibilities

• Lead and deliver complex clinical procurement projects, including tendering and contract award
• Provide expert procurement advice to senior stakeholders, including clinical and operational teams
• Ensure compliance with UK procurement legislation and internal governance frameworks
• Manage relationships with key suppliers, NHS Supply Chain and external partners
• Support procurement strategy development and continuous improvement initiatives
• Mentor and support less experienced procurement colleagues
• Manage multiple projects simultaneously, delivering to agreed timescales

Key requirements

• Degree‑level qualification or equivalent significant experience in procurement
• Membership of CIPS (or working towards) with evidence of ongoing CPD
• Strong knowledge of UK procurement legislation and best practice
• Proven experience of leading complex tenders and contract negotiations
• Excellent stakeholder management, communication and influencing skills
• Strong analytical ability and attention to detail

• stakeholder management
• communication
• influencing
• analytical thinking
• e-tendering systems
• clinical procurement knowledge

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