Senior Category Manager
The closing date is 26 September 2025
Job summary
Are you ready to make a real impact in a forward-thinking, dynamic NHS procurement environment? We are looking for a proactive and highly motivated procurement professional to join our team and deliver expert support across Care Groups and Corporate Divisions within Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust.
In this key role, you will provide both strategic advice and hands-on operational support to ensure value for money, efficiency, and compliance across all procurement activities. You'll act as a trusted adviser, building strong relationships with internal stakeholders to support high-quality decision-making and service delivery.
As a recognised procurement lead within the Trust, you will take the lead on complex, high-risk, and high-value procurement projects -- including major capital programmes and the sourcing of consumable items. Your ability to influence, negotiate, and manage risk will be instrumental in delivering robust, commercially sound outcomes.
You will also play a vital role in the development and implementation of procurement services that align with our strategic vision for Category and Contract Management. By supporting continuous improvement and innovation, you'll help shape a procurement function that meets both current needs and future demands.
This is a fantastic opportunity to join a collaborative and ambitious team, where your expertise will directly support the delivery of high-quality patient care.
Main duties of the job
Develop and manage close working relationships between the Services and their vendor base, for designated portfolio; ensuring performance standards are consistently achieved. Organise regular meetings with key stakeholders and suppliers to fact find, solve problems, and review contract performance.
Responsible for the collection of information regarding supplier performance for contract review. Collate information regarding customer perceptions of the success of the contracts and services negotiated on their behalf and the overall perceptions of the effectiveness of the Procurement department.
Maintains effective supplier and provider partnership and relationship strategies
Responsible for the authorisation of new contracts and procurement's in accordance with Services' Standing Financial Instructions.
Use highly developed persuasion and influencing skills to engage with and influence key stakeholders at all levels within the Services in order to facilitate participation in identified procurement activity.
Provide advice and expertise in all aspects of procurement activity to the Services. This advice and expertise can be in highly complex areas and involve detailed knowledge of areas such as Procurement Legislation.
Support the deployment of Reference Groups as the process to identify ideas and initiate project work with clinicians and nursing staff and/or corporate heads.
About us
Our ambition is to deliver excellent local and specialist services, to improve the health and well being of our patients, and provide a vibrant place for staff to develop, innovate and build careers.
We aim to make the most of our skills and experiences so we can become the best we can be. As one organisation we will recruit the finest and retain more specialist staff due to more employment opportunities across our Trust.
Details
Date posted
12 September 2025
Pay scheme
Agenda for change
Band
Band 8b
Salary
£64,455 a year Per Annum (Pro Rata for Part Time)
Contract
Permanent
Working pattern
Full-time
Reference number
390-COR-SO-0524-A
Job locations
Southend
Comet Way
Southend-on-Sea
SS2 6GE
Employer details
Employer name
Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust
Address
Southend
Comet Way
Southend-on-Sea
SS2 6GE
Employer's website
https://www.mse.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)
Employer contact details
For questions about the job, contact:
Supporting documents
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