Leeds Teaching Hospitals

Head of Contracts (XN08)

The closing date is 10 April 2026

Job summary

A unique role, based in the award-winning Procurement function within Leeds Teaching Hospitals, providing leadership to all Trust wide strategic procurements. We are looking for an individual who can take ownership of the programme of strategic procurement opportunities, shaping the way we work and deliver benefits and improvements in the way we work to support our ambitions to deliver greater efficiencies for the Trust and support the service provided to patients.

We are looking for an individual with drive and ambition to deliver our goals and change our current ways of working to improve how we procure Strategic Trust wide requirements for example clinical systems and building developments. You will be highly motivated with the ability to work with a range of people across multiple departments, taking ideas and opportunities and delivering results both in terms of efficiencies but also process improvements. You will not be afraid to challenge the status quo and have a track record of building engagement and trust to deliver change. Working highly autonomously, managing a number of projects yourself and supporting the Procurement team to deliver a wider programme of work, you will be part of the senior management team within Leeds and work alongside Procurement leaders across West Yorkshire. Expert Level knowledge of the Procurement Act 2023 is required.

Expected Shortlisting Date14/04/2026

Planned Interview Date21/04/2026

Main duties of the job

This role is a new role within the Trust and the candidate has the ability to shape the role and be and the forefront of positive change to deliver our ambition and make the Procurement function in Leeds Teaching Hospitals a leader in how strategic procurement can deliver change. To lead and support the Trusts procurement professionals to ensure that the Trusts strategic procurement is undertaken in accordance with the organisations best practice, legal obligations and Financial Standing Instructions. The post holder will work closely with user departments, usually as part of a Multi-Disciplinary Team, in order to understand their need and interpret these through to the appropriate commercial agreements. The post requires the individual to manage a portfolio of strategic contracts and must ensure regular strategic meetings are held with appropriate suppliers. Liaison at senior levels within both supplier and organisations is essential.

About us

The Procurement and Supplies function comprises Supply Chain, Digital, eProcurement, Warehousing & Logistics, Contracting and Scan4Safety. The department strongly encourages development of its staff members to progress in their careers and as a senior manager, you would be expected to nurture this growth and development in your colleagues. We are a diverse team and pride ourselves on inclusivity. We are a Neuroinclusive workplace, please let us know if any adjustments would enable you to thrive. This is a hybrid role, based out of our offices in Leeds, 3 days/week, you may be required to travel to across sites in the West Yorkshire region. A laptop will be provided. The role is Mon-Friday, 37.5 hrs/week. Standard 27 days Annual Leave/year plus Bank Holidays. NHS pension, NHS staff discounts.

Leeds Teaching Hospitals is committed to our process of redeploying 'at risk' members of our existing workforce to new roles. As such, all our job adverts are subject to this policy and we reserve the right to close, delay or remove adverts while this process is completed. If you do experience a delay in the shortlisting stage of the recruitment cycle, please bear with us while this process is completed, and contact the named contact if you have any questions.

Details

Date posted

20 March 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 8a

Salary

£57,528 to £64,750 a year

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Flexible working

Reference number

C9298-FIN-0173

Job locations

St. James's University Hospital

Beckett Street

Leeds

LS9 7TF


Job description

Job responsibilities

Under the direction of the Director, Commercial & Procurement, to be responsible for the contracting requirements of Revenue and Capital contracts for goods and services influenced by the Procurement Department in Leeds Teaching Hospitals and wider Trusts across West Yorkshire.

To lead and support Trusts procurement professionals to ensure that the Trusts collaborative procurement is undertaken in accordance with the organisations best practice and Financial Standing Instructions.

To negotiate a range of contracts that require analysis, comparison and assessment as agreed with the Director, Commercial & Procurement providing best value across a range of products and services. Produce annual work plans for all collaborative procurements, implement and monitor performance against the plan.

To be responsible for ensuring all wholesale products purchased by the Trusts, are distributed through the most cost-effective supply chain route. To work closely with the Materials Management departments to regularly review supply routes of existing products and to provide supply chain advice on the introduction of new products.

To work to pre-agreed KPIs to produce cash releasing savings which are reported to various Trust and collaborative Committees & Boards.

The position leads and supports Trusts procurement teams, providing a professional purchasing & contracting service and directly responsible for approximately £100m of annualised spend for a range of revenue and capital expenditure for both goods and services.

The post holder will be required to contribute to Trusts budgeting process and the allocation of cost mechanism.

Targeted with cash releasing savings targets in excess of £8m pa as well as identification of strategic cost avoidance opportunities the post holder will be expected to significantly contribute in meeting this target.

The post holder will work closely with user departments and Trusts, usually as part of a Multi-Disciplinary Team, in order to understand their need and interpret these through to the appropriate commercial agreements.

The post holder will together with Trusts procurement teams ensure that the appropriate contractual coverage is in place and that they deliver best value to Trusts.

The post requires the individual to manage a portfolio of strategic contracts and must ensure regular strategic meetings are held with appropriate suppliers. Liaison at senior levels within both supplier and organisations is essential.

Within area of expertise develop and implement Procurement procedures and collaboration strategies. Be responsible for delivery, within cost and quality parameters for a number of strategic objectives within Trusts collaboration strategy.

Work and liaise with the NOCPC and NHSSC to provide advice on best practice and value for money initiatives including the negotiation of collaborative contracts.

In conjunction with other departments and managers develop and implement systems to monitor and report on the performance of the collaborative procurement programme and to offer and suggest ways in which to deliver continuous improvements.

Assist with the training of the wider Procurement Teams to ensure that they develop appropriate competencies in strategic procurement functions, the operation of purchasing order processing and e-Procurement office based systems.

Liaise with Finance colleagues particularly Creditor Payments and Financial Services to ensure effective cross team working

As a procurement specialist the SCM initiates Research and Development to fill identified gaps in the market. As part of a contractual arrangement, this type of Research and Development is included in many procurement initiatives as there is no cost pressure to the Trust as funding is secured from a supplier via the award of a contract.

Contribute to development and delivery of budget performance and outcome for CMT and Business units within areas of responsibility. This is managed through commitment of £100m of non-pay spend

Job description

Job responsibilities

Under the direction of the Director, Commercial & Procurement, to be responsible for the contracting requirements of Revenue and Capital contracts for goods and services influenced by the Procurement Department in Leeds Teaching Hospitals and wider Trusts across West Yorkshire.

To lead and support Trusts procurement professionals to ensure that the Trusts collaborative procurement is undertaken in accordance with the organisations best practice and Financial Standing Instructions.

To negotiate a range of contracts that require analysis, comparison and assessment as agreed with the Director, Commercial & Procurement providing best value across a range of products and services. Produce annual work plans for all collaborative procurements, implement and monitor performance against the plan.

To be responsible for ensuring all wholesale products purchased by the Trusts, are distributed through the most cost-effective supply chain route. To work closely with the Materials Management departments to regularly review supply routes of existing products and to provide supply chain advice on the introduction of new products.

To work to pre-agreed KPIs to produce cash releasing savings which are reported to various Trust and collaborative Committees & Boards.

The position leads and supports Trusts procurement teams, providing a professional purchasing & contracting service and directly responsible for approximately £100m of annualised spend for a range of revenue and capital expenditure for both goods and services.

The post holder will be required to contribute to Trusts budgeting process and the allocation of cost mechanism.

Targeted with cash releasing savings targets in excess of £8m pa as well as identification of strategic cost avoidance opportunities the post holder will be expected to significantly contribute in meeting this target.

The post holder will work closely with user departments and Trusts, usually as part of a Multi-Disciplinary Team, in order to understand their need and interpret these through to the appropriate commercial agreements.

The post holder will together with Trusts procurement teams ensure that the appropriate contractual coverage is in place and that they deliver best value to Trusts.

The post requires the individual to manage a portfolio of strategic contracts and must ensure regular strategic meetings are held with appropriate suppliers. Liaison at senior levels within both supplier and organisations is essential.

Within area of expertise develop and implement Procurement procedures and collaboration strategies. Be responsible for delivery, within cost and quality parameters for a number of strategic objectives within Trusts collaboration strategy.

Work and liaise with the NOCPC and NHSSC to provide advice on best practice and value for money initiatives including the negotiation of collaborative contracts.

In conjunction with other departments and managers develop and implement systems to monitor and report on the performance of the collaborative procurement programme and to offer and suggest ways in which to deliver continuous improvements.

Assist with the training of the wider Procurement Teams to ensure that they develop appropriate competencies in strategic procurement functions, the operation of purchasing order processing and e-Procurement office based systems.

Liaise with Finance colleagues particularly Creditor Payments and Financial Services to ensure effective cross team working

As a procurement specialist the SCM initiates Research and Development to fill identified gaps in the market. As part of a contractual arrangement, this type of Research and Development is included in many procurement initiatives as there is no cost pressure to the Trust as funding is secured from a supplier via the award of a contract.

Contribute to development and delivery of budget performance and outcome for CMT and Business units within areas of responsibility. This is managed through commitment of £100m of non-pay spend

Person Specification

Skills and Behaviours

Essential

  • Lead and motivate others
  • Effective problem-solver, anticipate difficulty, assess risks and identify a solution
  • Flexible approach/open to change
  • Demonstrates drive & initiative

Desirable

  • Self-reliant, can manage time & workload effectively
  • Excellent attention to detail
  • Willing to challenge (respectfully)
  • Good knowledge of current Public Contract Regulations

Experience

Essential

  • Successfully working in a target driven environment-(evidence your successes)
  • Developing and implementing collaborative procurement projects
  • Managed significant contracts and the tender process

Desirable

  • Oversee procurement change across multiple organisations
  • Undertaken procurement at an ICS level

Qualifications

Essential

  • Member of/Studying towards CIPS
  • Undertaken Procurement Act Training

Desirable

  • Procurement Act Deep-Dive training completed
Person Specification

Skills and Behaviours

Essential

  • Lead and motivate others
  • Effective problem-solver, anticipate difficulty, assess risks and identify a solution
  • Flexible approach/open to change
  • Demonstrates drive & initiative

Desirable

  • Self-reliant, can manage time & workload effectively
  • Excellent attention to detail
  • Willing to challenge (respectfully)
  • Good knowledge of current Public Contract Regulations

Experience

Essential

  • Successfully working in a target driven environment-(evidence your successes)
  • Developing and implementing collaborative procurement projects
  • Managed significant contracts and the tender process

Desirable

  • Oversee procurement change across multiple organisations
  • Undertaken procurement at an ICS level

Qualifications

Essential

  • Member of/Studying towards CIPS
  • Undertaken Procurement Act Training

Desirable

  • Procurement Act Deep-Dive training completed

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Additional information

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Employer details

Employer name

Leeds Teaching Hospitals

Address

St. James's University Hospital

Beckett Street

Leeds

LS9 7TF


Employer's website

https://www.leedsth.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)


Employer details

Employer name

Leeds Teaching Hospitals

Address

St. James's University Hospital

Beckett Street

Leeds

LS9 7TF


Employer's website

https://www.leedsth.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)


Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

John Smith

j.smith115@nhs.net

Details

Date posted

20 March 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 8a

Salary

£57,528 to £64,750 a year

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Flexible working

Reference number

C9298-FIN-0173

Job locations

St. James's University Hospital

Beckett Street

Leeds

LS9 7TF


Supporting documents

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