Specialist Category Manager (Imaging Network)

Job description

Job responsibilities

Lead on all procurement activity for the Imaging Network, supporting substantial combined organisational turnover and critical clinical service delivery.

Develop and implement strategic procurement initiatives for imaging categories, ensuring compliance with legislation and maximising value through commercial insight, market intelligence, and whole life cost analysis.

Act as the specialist technical expert for the procurement of imaging assets, managed service agreements, digital imaging platforms and related services, ensuring compliance with Healthcare Partners, the Trusts and statutory procurement frameworks.

Develop imaging category strategies aligned to the Imaging Networks clinical and operational objectives to support modernisation and efficiency.

Ensure all procurement strategies consider cost-effective supply chain strategies.

Lead large and complex procurement activities, delivering cost reductions and optimal outcomes.

Monitor and review systems and procedures to identify improvement opportunities.

Provide expert advice on contract terms, conditions, modifications, incentives, and remedies.

Ensure compliance with all procurement policies and legislation.

Develop a culture of identifying and communicating procurement contributions.

Analyse procurement data to identify cost savings and process improvements

Maintain and report on savings, cost pressures, and benefits achieved by procurement activities.

Provide day-to-day guidance to procurement staff on contracting and supplier management.

Develop and manage a team to support procurement initiatives.

Support the recruitment and development of the team.

Develop sourcing strategies that consider collaboration with local NHS and public sector organisations.

Act as project manager for the delivery of components of the Procurement CIP Programme and Annual Workplan.

Contribute to the development of the Annual Procurement Workplan by engaging with senior stakeholders so that procurement plans are integrated with the Trusts service delivery, financial and transformational objectives. To engage with Trust representatives and suppliers at the inception of business cases to ensure business and service needs are met in the procurement process.

Utilise the e-Tendering systems to engage suppliers before and during tender processes.

Ensure tender and quote responses are robustly evaluated against a range of financial and non-financial criteria determining best value options for the Trusts taking into account whole life costing principles.

Evaluate potential suppliers against a range of financial, statutory, capacity/quality criteria before shortlisting them to receive the Trusts offer documentation.

Lead and document meetings and prepare project reports to the Director of Procurement, Imaging Network Board or Trust Boards.

Manage the contract life cycle, including changes, modifications, and performance enforcement.

Act as the key contact and subject matter expert for all contract-related and tender activities.

Develop and implement KPIs for contracts and hold suppliers accountable.

Ensure quality systems are in place and compliance is regularly reported.

Engage stakeholders in eProcurement strategies and identify innovation opportunities.

Liaise with service providers and users to ensure requirements are met and standards maintained.

Work with stakeholders to negotiate contract terms and ensure value for money.

Provide high-level advice to stakeholders and executive management to meet organisational priorities.

Meet with supplier representatives to keep abreast of new product developments and liaise with Infection Control and other key stakeholders over the introduction of new products.

Translate customer procurement requirements into generic specifications suitable for competitive tendering and quotation purposes.

Initiate, develop and manage equipment trials with suppliers; clinical staff and other end users ensuring that Trust procedures are followed with regard to indemnity documentation, medical equipment safety; infection control and decontamination requirements. To ensure that trials are evaluated robustly against agreed criteria.

Resolve complex problems through direct negotiation with suppliers and Key Stakeholders.

Report on budget and spend to the Head of Procurement and Imaging Network leads.

Ensure contractual arrangements deliver ongoing value for money and performance.

Identify and manage risks, coordinating discussions on critical issues with key stakeholders.

Lead supplier performance management for imaging contracts to deliver improvements and efficiencies.

Promote and lead the delivery of efficient and effective procurement services.

Ensure supplier base management is robust, transparent and compliant with organisational requirements.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Member of Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply (MCIPS) or similar appropriate professional institute or relevant experience.
• Educated to Degree level
• Evidence of Continued Professional Development
• Evidence of having undertaken courses on: Contract management Project management Procurement systems training Procurement Law

Desirable

• An appropriate professional and/ or management qualification
• Project Management PRINCE 2

Knowledge and Experience

Essential

• Significant knowledge in a category management role with experience relevant to the areas outlined in the job description.
• Expert understanding of the technical requirements of public sector procurement and best practice guidance to a range of project-based procurement activities.
• Evidence of ability to plan, develop and implement initiatives without direct supervision
• Evidence of achievements in terms of savings / service improvements.
• Ability to negotiate with staff at all levels and use informed persuasion to influence others, including senior NHS personnel.
• Able to gain the confidence, co-operation and enthusiasm of non-finance managers, including Directors, in communicating complex, technical financial information.
• To be seen as a credible and knowledgeable procurement person both within the organisation and externally
• Experience of being accountable for high value complex health procurements and identifying links to national, regional and local procurement priorities.
• Experience in people management - ability to delegate, empower, influence and lead people in a complex and dynamic organisation

Desirable

• Experience of working with senior staff and clinicians
• Experience of working with the NHS Terms and Conditions of Supply
• Experience of applying principles of change management

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.

Employer details

Employer name

Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Healthcare Partners

90 Priestley Road

Guildford

GU2 7AU

Employer's website

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