Category Lead
Salary:
£61200 plus bonus
Role:
Permanent
Location:
(hybrid)
One of our clients are looking for a Category Lead to join their expanding team.
Overall Purpose of the Role
The Category Lead – NHS role is to work collaboratively with the Head of Procurement to define, lead & deliver the overarching strategy and KPI’s for the NHS. This role will direct procurement activity and supplier management strategies across a range of frameworks and agreements, while working with the other Category Leads, cross functional teams and the companies counterparts to deliver on trust requirements and drive continuous improvement.
The overall team comprises of several direct reports and covers circa £80m worth of spend into trusts across a wide range of food (including fresh fruit & veg, meat and poultry, dairy & food to go) also vending.
The role will involve ensuring we deliver the best solutions for Trusts and also managing a complex and large supply base to ensure we are getting the best commercial value – the ideal candidate will also have a broad knowledge of the food category given the nature of the role, but not essential.
Key Responsibilities
Lead a team of buyers to plan, develop and execute procurement activity that delivers year on year increased savings, savings retention and category growth.
Accountable for process stewardship to effectively capture and influence business requirements across all categories of spend to help us improve compliance to the NHS Supply Chain and responsible for effective implementation of agreed ranges, services and supply chains post sourcing events from the Governance Team.
Deliver best in class supplier management strategies to maximise the value of NHSSC: Food to NHS trusts and grow our market share. Oversee and set strategy for supplier & contract management ensuring the business relationship is maximised through conducting periodic / quarterly business reviews in line with supplier positioning matrix and responsible for owning overall relationship matrix and hierarchy.
Work across the procurement function to develop best practice and drive continuous improvement.
Build strong relationships with cross functional teams including account management, operations, finance and project management to deliver KPIs and support trusts needs.
Responsible for developing industry leading propositions that enable Account Management team to compliance across NHS Trusts.
Deliver on our client KPIs and build credibility with the client and promote the companies value as a Category Tower Service Provider.
Analyze problematic situations and occurrences and provide solutions to ensure trust spend retention and growth.
Energise, inspire and develop the Team with pace, passion and resilience.
Candidate Profile
Skills & Experience required:
Experience of complex supplier, distributor and client management
Ideally experience of public sector procurement and legislation
Experience in leading a high performing commercial team and delivering results
Strong decision maker, with good commercial acumen who is comfortable working under pressure
Solid analytical skills, with an ability to manage and interpret data to make effective decisions
A collaborative team player that brings people together to deliver results.
Strategic thinker who can demonstrate impact and influence across an organisation
A “Can Do” attitude to resolve issues and take learnings to drive ongoing continuous improvement
Commercial & Results Orientation
Is a world class negotiator
Continually looks for category development opportunities that will advantage NHS Supply Chain: Food in the marketplace
Providers leadership and guidance across the function & is accountable for the results and outputs of their team
Is committed to attaining the highest levels of commercial success individually and for the team
An expert with analytical tools, able to draw conclusions and communicate recommendations from complex data
Project Management
Creates and manages multiple project plans and is able to prioritise multiple demands effectively and with consensus
Monitors all category projects and provides guidance and leadership proactively to ensure collaboration to achieve desired results with each project.
Holding People Accountable
Strong management skills
Taking fair, considerate, firm and documented action to hold people to the expectations. This includes providing feedback and following up regularly.
Change Management
Adapts quickly to change
Capacity to handle multiple change agendas yet to stay in control of events
Well developed people and change management skills which equip an individual to lead teams including cross matrix and cross cultural groups.
Openness, Trust and Security
We set the highest ethical and professional standards at all time
We want all our relationships to be based on honesty, respect, fairness, and a commitment to open dialogue.
Relationship Building
Is able to influence all levels of the organization
Is seen as a leader with a style that engenders commitment from others
A strong team player able to take difficult decisions but in an inclusive fashion with colleagues in critical cross functional groups.
Has a collaborative management style with the ability to build partnerships both internally and externally.
Easily builds rapport across multiple functions and is an excellent influence
Team Leadership & Coaching
Evidence of an ability to provide strategic leadership to the function as well as contributing at the operational level.
The ability to focus, align and build effective teams through the development of an appropriate leadership style given the team make-up
Genuinely fostering the personal and professional development of others
Well developed people and change management skills which equip an individual to lead teams including cross matrix and cross cultural groups
Planning & Organizing
Effectively prioritizes multiple demands
Ability to operate at pace in an entrepreneurial environment.
Client / Consumer Focus
Understands providing excellent customer service that builds lasting business relationships is the basis of our business.
Passion for Quality
Look to replicate success, learn from mistakes and develop the ideas, innovation and practices that will help us improve and lead our market.
Apply
If you wish to find out more about this role and apply please contact:
