KFM

Senior Category Manager (Clinical)

The closing date is 22 March 2026

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Job summary

In this role you will lead and take ownership of a delegated category or categories with an annual spend of £2030 million, acting as a key ambassador for KFM and our clients. Responsible for developing procurement strategy, implementing strategic sourcing, and maintaining strong stakeholder relationships to deliver cost optimisation. Negotiate, review, and draft contracts to achieve savings targets and support the cost improvement programme. Drive change and improvements while supporting staff to enhance skills and procurement capability. Work closely with clinical teams to understand usage, translating requirements into effective contract and supply chain management to ensure a resilient and responsive supply chain.

Main duties of the job

Lead a high-performing team in line with KFM people management policies, creating and implementing category strategies that support corporate objectives. Establish KPIs to track progress against targets and the cost improvement programme, ensuring all procurement activity is recorded in the eProcurement platform. Drive category management by evaluating and introducing innovative products and services within 12 months, achieving 100% contract compliance with performance monitoring. Present product standardisation initiatives with clear specifications, manage budgets and projects within agreed resources, and deliver CIPS and annual savings. Maintain strong stakeholder and client relationships, providing proposals with clear cost-benefit analysis and achieving positive feedback.

About us

KFM is a healthcare support services provider, partnering with healthcare organisations to enable world-class patient care, with all profits and cost savings reinvested into the NHS. We offer end-to-end managed services across all clinical areas and specialties, including procurement and supply of clinical supplies, medical equipment, maintenance, training, technical support, and outpatient pharmacy dispensing. KFM is a Limited Liability Partnership owned by Kings College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, with no private sector partners, operating as a public authority. With an annual turnover of approximately £180 million and a team of over 350 staff, KFM is committed to delivering high-quality, sustainable healthcare support.

Details

Date posted

12 March 2026

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

£64,200 to £71,300 a year

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

VP385DA9D6

Job locations

London

SE5 9NY


Job description

Job responsibilities

Job Advert

Position: Senior Category Manager

Department: Clinical Procurement

Salary: £64,200 - £71,300 plus up to 12% annual bonus

Location: Denmark Hill London (on site 2 days per week)

This is an exciting opportunity for a Procurement professional to join KFM as a Senior Category Manager and make an impact shaping procurement strategies, strengthening supplier relationships, and contributing directly to NHS improvement programmes.

As a Senior Category Manager, youll lead a delegated spend portfolio valued between £2030 million annually. Youll be the driving force behind innovative clinical procurement strategies, stakeholder engagement, and delivering measurable cost savings across the Clinical Procurement (CP) category.

Key Responsibilities

  • Develop and implement category strategies aligned to corporate goals.

  • Lead on high-value and complex procurement projects and contracts.

  • Negotiate and manage supplier relationships for optimal value and service quality.

  • Collaborate with clinical teams to align procurement decisions with patient care priorities.

  • Identify innovation opportunities and support product standardisation initiatives.

  • Ensure compliance with UK Public Procurement legislation and KFM governance frameworks.

About You

Youre an experienced procurement professional with a strong commercial acumen and a passion for improving healthcare outcomes through smarter sourcing. You thrive in a fast-paced, stakeholder-focused environment and enjoy leading change and innovation.

Essential Requirements:

  • MCIPS qualification (or equivalent experience).

  • Proven experience delivering cost reductions and strategic sourcing in large organisations.

  • Strong background in category and contract management.

  • Excellent leadership, negotiation, and communication skills.

  • Track record of successful supplier and client relationship management.

  • Strong analytical and project management capabilities.

Desirable:

  • Experience within the public sector or NHS procurement.

  • Degree-level education or equivalent.

  • PRINCE2 or project management certification.

Why Join KFM?

  • Play a vital role in supporting world-class patient care.

  • Work in a collaborative, purpose-driven organisation reinvesting in the NHS.

  • Lead strategic initiatives that make a real difference to clinical outcomes.

If you're ready to take on a high-impact role that shapes the future of NHS procurement, wed love to hear from you.

Application Deadline:15th March 2026

Interview Date:24th March 2026

Apply to join as part of a dynamic team dedicated to excellence in procurement.

Skills:Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage effectively with people at all levels. Confident in delivering clear written, verbal and presentation communication, including with suppliers and key stakeholders. Experienced in managing difficult negotiations and responding professionally to challenging situations. Skilled in analysing complex data and information to support effective decision-making. Strong project management abilities, ensuring tasks are delivered successfully within agreed timescales and budgets. Produces clear and accurate reports and documentation. Highly organised with strong attention to detail, able to prioritise workloads and manage competing demands. Self-motivated and proactive, with the ability to work independently while building confidence and trust with a wide range of stakeholders.

Qualifications:MCIPS qualification or equivalent professional experience in procurement or supply chain management, with evidence of ongoing continuing professional development. Demonstrates commitment to maintaining and enhancing professional knowledge and skills relevant to the role. A Prince2 qualification, or an equivalent project management certification, would be desirable and would support effective delivery of projects within structured frameworks. Educated to degree level or able to demonstrate equivalent knowledge gained through relevant professional experience. Candidates should be able to apply their learning and professional development to support strategic objectives, contribute to service improvement, and maintain high standards of professional practice within a complex organisational environment.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Job Advert

Position: Senior Category Manager

Department: Clinical Procurement

Salary: £64,200 - £71,300 plus up to 12% annual bonus

Location: Denmark Hill London (on site 2 days per week)

This is an exciting opportunity for a Procurement professional to join KFM as a Senior Category Manager and make an impact shaping procurement strategies, strengthening supplier relationships, and contributing directly to NHS improvement programmes.

As a Senior Category Manager, youll lead a delegated spend portfolio valued between £2030 million annually. Youll be the driving force behind innovative clinical procurement strategies, stakeholder engagement, and delivering measurable cost savings across the Clinical Procurement (CP) category.

Key Responsibilities

  • Develop and implement category strategies aligned to corporate goals.

  • Lead on high-value and complex procurement projects and contracts.

  • Negotiate and manage supplier relationships for optimal value and service quality.

  • Collaborate with clinical teams to align procurement decisions with patient care priorities.

  • Identify innovation opportunities and support product standardisation initiatives.

  • Ensure compliance with UK Public Procurement legislation and KFM governance frameworks.

About You

Youre an experienced procurement professional with a strong commercial acumen and a passion for improving healthcare outcomes through smarter sourcing. You thrive in a fast-paced, stakeholder-focused environment and enjoy leading change and innovation.

Essential Requirements:

  • MCIPS qualification (or equivalent experience).

  • Proven experience delivering cost reductions and strategic sourcing in large organisations.

  • Strong background in category and contract management.

  • Excellent leadership, negotiation, and communication skills.

  • Track record of successful supplier and client relationship management.

  • Strong analytical and project management capabilities.

Desirable:

  • Experience within the public sector or NHS procurement.

  • Degree-level education or equivalent.

  • PRINCE2 or project management certification.

Why Join KFM?

  • Play a vital role in supporting world-class patient care.

  • Work in a collaborative, purpose-driven organisation reinvesting in the NHS.

  • Lead strategic initiatives that make a real difference to clinical outcomes.

If you're ready to take on a high-impact role that shapes the future of NHS procurement, wed love to hear from you.

Application Deadline:15th March 2026

Interview Date:24th March 2026

Apply to join as part of a dynamic team dedicated to excellence in procurement.

Skills:Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage effectively with people at all levels. Confident in delivering clear written, verbal and presentation communication, including with suppliers and key stakeholders. Experienced in managing difficult negotiations and responding professionally to challenging situations. Skilled in analysing complex data and information to support effective decision-making. Strong project management abilities, ensuring tasks are delivered successfully within agreed timescales and budgets. Produces clear and accurate reports and documentation. Highly organised with strong attention to detail, able to prioritise workloads and manage competing demands. Self-motivated and proactive, with the ability to work independently while building confidence and trust with a wide range of stakeholders.

Qualifications:MCIPS qualification or equivalent professional experience in procurement or supply chain management, with evidence of ongoing continuing professional development. Demonstrates commitment to maintaining and enhancing professional knowledge and skills relevant to the role. A Prince2 qualification, or an equivalent project management certification, would be desirable and would support effective delivery of projects within structured frameworks. Educated to degree level or able to demonstrate equivalent knowledge gained through relevant professional experience. Candidates should be able to apply their learning and professional development to support strategic objectives, contribute to service improvement, and maintain high standards of professional practice within a complex organisational environment.

Person Specification

General Requirements

Essential

  • Please refer to job description above

Desirable

  • Please refer to job description above
Person Specification

General Requirements

Essential

  • Please refer to job description above

Desirable

  • Please refer to job description above

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Additional information

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details

Employer name

KFM

Address

London

SE5 9NY


Employer's website

https://www.kings-fm.co.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

KFM

Address

London

SE5 9NY


Employer's website

https://www.kings-fm.co.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Recruiter

Anna Howard

kch-tr.kfmrecruitment@nhs.net

02032997878

Details

Date posted

12 March 2026

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

£64,200 to £71,300 a year

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

VP385DA9D6

Job locations

London

SE5 9NY


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