Job summary
Working Full time : 37.5 hours per week
A new and exciting opportunity has arisen to join our dynamic team as a Category Manager.
As a Category Manager you will be responsible for contributing towards the delivery of the Trusts Procurement Cost Improvement Programme; through delivery of allocated procurement projects and carrying out tendering processes including those that are over threshold.
Obtaining the maximum benefits from Trust expenditure on goods and services, seeking best value, reliability, responsiveness, and innovation from the suppliers.
To release additional cost savings, add value and ensure probity through the contracting process and ongoing performance monitoring of contracts and suppliers.
Main duties of the job
The Category Manager is accountable to the Senior Category Manager, supporting all aspects of the Trusts Procurement Cost improvement and cash releasing savings strategy.
Please see below a selection of duties for this role, a full list of duties can be found in the Job Description attached.
To manage complex and varied projects to support and contribute towards the department's annual work-plan in line with the Trusts Standing Financial Instructions, Standing Orders.
To engage customers at all levels within both the internal organisation and external client organisations.
Provide professional advice and support to Trust clinicians and managers and all involved in commercial activity ensuring that there is a full appreciation of the complex stages involved and the legal requirements by which the Trust must abide.
To be able to lead, plan and deliver projects to an appropriate timescale and ensure the procurement projects are delivered.
Development of the suite of tender documents including but not limited to the appropriate invitation to tender and evaluation methods to determine "best value for money" for the trust contracts (including above threshold contracts).
Deliver Procurement project process reports, ensuring that applicable Trust policies and Procedures and relevant legislation have been followed.
To be able to act in an autonomous manner in making financial recommendations ensuring compliance with Standing Financial Instructions and the Scheme of Delegation.
About us
The Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust provides services to West Cheshire and to Welsh patients covered by Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board. The Trust works collaboratively within the wider Cheshire and Merseyside Health and Care Partnership. Its services are provided from three locations:
o The Countess of Chester Hospital: providing 438 general and acute beds.o Ellesmere Port Hospital: providing 56 beds as a rehabilitation, intermediate and outpatient facility.o Tarporley War Memorial Hospital: a base for community services which serve the local rural population.
The Trust employs over 5916 staff (headcount) which includes temporary bank staff and provides acute emergency and elective services, primary care direct access services and obstetric services to a population of approximately 411,000. This includes 361,000 residents in Chester and West Cheshire which includes Ellesmere Port and Neston as well as the Deeside area of Flintshire which has a population of approximately 50,000.
The Trust is a busy district general hospital and in 2022/2023, there were more than 503,342 patient attendances (inpatient, outpatient and diagnostic) ranging from a simple outpatient appointment to major cancer surgery. This is an increase of nearly 10,000 compared to the previous year when there were 494,387 patient attendances.
Job description
Job responsibilities
See Job Description for further details.
Recruitment selection processes are based on competence (see Person specification) and values.
Please note applicants will be required to pay for their DBS check. Costswill be deducted from their salary over the first three months of employment.
You are encouraged to enrol for the DBS Update Service. A small annual fee of £16per year applies.
New entrants to the NHS will commence on the minimum of the scale stated above.
Applicants are advised to apply early as if a large number of applications are received for this post, we reserve the right to close the vacancy prior to the advertised date.
Good luck with your application.
Job description
Job responsibilities
See Job Description for further details.
Recruitment selection processes are based on competence (see Person specification) and values.
Please note applicants will be required to pay for their DBS check. Costswill be deducted from their salary over the first three months of employment.
You are encouraged to enrol for the DBS Update Service. A small annual fee of £16per year applies.
New entrants to the NHS will commence on the minimum of the scale stated above.
Applicants are advised to apply early as if a large number of applications are received for this post, we reserve the right to close the vacancy prior to the advertised date.
Good luck with your application.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Full Member of the Chartered Institute of Purchase and Supply, MCIPS accredited or actively working towards it. (Minimum Level 5 must have been achieved)
- Evidence of continuing professional development through attendance of relevant courses.
Knowledge & Experience
Essential
- Able to demonstrate the latest knowledge of Procurement Legislation.
- Significant experience of procurement processes including undertaking complex Tender process above threshold
- Significant experience of working with a range of stakeholders at all levels of different organisations
- Experience co-ordinating the production of all the documentation required for the procurement process in liaison with other parties
- Demonstrable success in managing change projects involving stakeholders
Desirable
- Experience being responsible for procurement information systems
- Experience of developing and delivering training and development interventions
- Experience of service redesign within the NHS
Skills & Abilities
Essential
- Excellent developed data analysis and interpretation skills involving highly complex data, with outstanding problem-solving skills
- Able to demonstrate impact and proactive customer relationship building, with the ability to respect, influence and motivate a range of stakeholders to deliver continuous improvement in services whilst achieving professional and personal credibility.
- Highly developed interpersonal skills to communicate highly complex information succinctly and in difficult environments and highly sensitive issues in an organised and appropriate manner both verbally and in writing at all levels: Ability to write clear reports appropriate for different audiences
- Extensive experience in developing/building effective working relationships with proven ability to manage conflict resolution; engage, lead, and develop others.
- Extensive experience supporting, coaching and being a team member
- Excellent level of planning and organisational skills with a strong work ethic and being able to solve complex challenges. Well-developed concentration skills and ability to prioritise/remain focused when workload is heavy and/or unpredictable.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Full Member of the Chartered Institute of Purchase and Supply, MCIPS accredited or actively working towards it. (Minimum Level 5 must have been achieved)
- Evidence of continuing professional development through attendance of relevant courses.
Knowledge & Experience
Essential
- Able to demonstrate the latest knowledge of Procurement Legislation.
- Significant experience of procurement processes including undertaking complex Tender process above threshold
- Significant experience of working with a range of stakeholders at all levels of different organisations
- Experience co-ordinating the production of all the documentation required for the procurement process in liaison with other parties
- Demonstrable success in managing change projects involving stakeholders
Desirable
- Experience being responsible for procurement information systems
- Experience of developing and delivering training and development interventions
- Experience of service redesign within the NHS
Skills & Abilities
Essential
- Excellent developed data analysis and interpretation skills involving highly complex data, with outstanding problem-solving skills
- Able to demonstrate impact and proactive customer relationship building, with the ability to respect, influence and motivate a range of stakeholders to deliver continuous improvement in services whilst achieving professional and personal credibility.
- Highly developed interpersonal skills to communicate highly complex information succinctly and in difficult environments and highly sensitive issues in an organised and appropriate manner both verbally and in writing at all levels: Ability to write clear reports appropriate for different audiences
- Extensive experience in developing/building effective working relationships with proven ability to manage conflict resolution; engage, lead, and develop others.
- Extensive experience supporting, coaching and being a team member
- Excellent level of planning and organisational skills with a strong work ethic and being able to solve complex challenges. Well-developed concentration skills and ability to prioritise/remain focused when workload is heavy and/or unpredictable.
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.
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.
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).
