Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Assistant Category Business Partner

The closing date is 28 July 2025

Job summary

To maximise value from the supply chain through strategic procurement and category management across the designated division and associated expenditure categories.

To develop procurement projects - undertaking, implementing and monitoring procurement activities and contracts across divisional/category expenditure in line with best practice, Trust SFIs/Policies, and for ensuring that these are implemented across the division/category.

Identification and development of non-pay savings schemes across the Trust working closely with stakeholders and operational management to deliver these. Work closely with the Procurement Business Partner to which they are aligned to develop strategic sourcing plans and projects that maximise value to the Trust from the supply chain.

Promote and maintain a cost effective, responsive and efficient service to customers across the entire Trust.

Work with staff at all levels within the Trust and particularly with senior managers and clinical staff across the four hospital sites to ensure service & operational and clinical and patient requirements are identified and fully considered.

Through the collation and analysis of data, provide information to support procurement projects and aid appropriate product standardisation and rationalisation.

Help to ensure a reliable supply of required products and services into the Trusts/Division.

Main duties of the job

The post holder will be responsible for supporting the Procurement Business Partner in the management of all non-pay expenditure for the division and designated expenditure categories to ensure strategies that deliver value-for-money and improved services.

The post holder will report to the Procurement Business Partner and be responsible for leading projects and identifying opportunities for savings delivery, compliance or value-added activities.

The role is to provide knowledge and skills to ensure:

best practice procurement and strategic sourcing

maximise value from the supply chain

value for money

the development and implementation of procurement projects

tracked benefits & contract compliance

effective use of P2P and associate procurement systems

Key Working Relationships

The post holder will report to the Procurement Business Partner. The post holder will interact with a range of senior stakeholders across the Trust in performing their procurement function, both to Trust standards and industry best practice.

Divisional /Operational Managers/General Managers/Clinical Consultants/

Finance Managers/Key Stakeholders/Suppliers/intermediaries

About us

Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is one of the largest NHS teaching trusts in the country. It provides a wide range of general and specialist clinical services and is a base for medical education, training and research. The Trust comprises four hospitals - the John Radcliffe Hospital, Churchill Hospital and Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre in Headington and the Horton General Hospital in Banbury. For more information on OUH please view OUH At a Glance by OUHospitals - Issuu

Our values, standards and behaviours define the quality of clinical care we offer and the professional relationships we make with our patients, colleagues and the wider community.

We call this Delivering Compassionate Excellence and its focus is on our values of compassion, respect, learning, delivery, improvement and excellence.

These values put patients at the heart of what we do and underpin the quality healthcare we would like for ourselves or a member of our family. Watch how we set out to deliver compassionate excellence via the OUH YouTube channel.

Details

Date posted

14 July 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£38,682 to £46,580 a year per annum pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Flexible working

Reference number

321-CORP-7273513-B6-PUB

Job locations

OUH Cowley

Procurement & Supply Chain Department (OUHC)

Garsington Road, Cowley, Oxford

OX4 2PG


Job description

Job responsibilities

For a Detailed job description and main responsibilities please refer to the Job Description document attached

Job description

Job responsibilities

For a Detailed job description and main responsibilities please refer to the Job Description document attached

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Degree level education or equivalent
  • Management skills and knowledge acquired through training and experience.
  • Evidence of highly developed specialist knowledge underpinned by theory and experience.
  • Recognised continuing personal/career development at an advanced level

Desirable

  • Member of Chartered Institute of Purchasing & Supply (or equivalent relevant experience)
  • Personal/career development to Masters level or equivalent.
  • Prince2 or other recognised project management qualification

Experience/Skills

Essential

  • Experience of managing complex procurement projects including business case, options appraisal, tender documentation, tender evaluation and contract award processes.
  • A working knowledge of the NHS/Public Sector - and public sector procurement rules.
  • Knowledge of Category Management techniques and experience of the development and implementation of category management plans and processes across significant categories of expenditure.
  • Strong understanding of unlocking value from procurement & supply chain, such as sourcing, tendering, demand management, standardisation and contract management.
  • Experience of working proactively with key suppliers to develop and adopt innovative products and solutions.
  • Experience in Supplier Relationship Management, including supplier performance, continuous improvement and management of supplier expectations.
  • Experience of consistently delivering benefit targets.
  • Able to analyse and interpret spend data and undertake market analysis.
  • Specialist Knowledge of Public Procurement Regulations and sound knowledge of contract law.

Desirable

  • Previously worked within an NHS Procurement Function
  • a Working knowledge of NHS Finances

IT Skills

Essential

  • Good knowledge of Microsoft Office software, particularly Microsoft Excel
  • Experience of using specialist e-procurement tools including e-tendering, e-sourcing and reverse auctions.

Communication & Interpersonal Skills

Essential

  • Excellent written and oral communication skills and interpersonal skills
  • Commercial acumen within procurement
  • Ability to successfully lead and work with teams
  • Excellent negotiation skills

Organisational & Planning

Essential

  • Ability to plan and forecast in short, medium and long term with appropriate detail.
  • Ability to plan and develop complex and longer term strategic projects
  • Proven experience of managing projects with minimal supervision.
  • Ability to work under pressure and maintain a good balance of humour

Other relevant factors

Essential

  • Graduate of related subjects encouraged (e.g Business, Management, Economics, Health Sciences, etc)
Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Degree level education or equivalent
  • Management skills and knowledge acquired through training and experience.
  • Evidence of highly developed specialist knowledge underpinned by theory and experience.
  • Recognised continuing personal/career development at an advanced level

Desirable

  • Member of Chartered Institute of Purchasing & Supply (or equivalent relevant experience)
  • Personal/career development to Masters level or equivalent.
  • Prince2 or other recognised project management qualification

Experience/Skills

Essential

  • Experience of managing complex procurement projects including business case, options appraisal, tender documentation, tender evaluation and contract award processes.
  • A working knowledge of the NHS/Public Sector - and public sector procurement rules.
  • Knowledge of Category Management techniques and experience of the development and implementation of category management plans and processes across significant categories of expenditure.
  • Strong understanding of unlocking value from procurement & supply chain, such as sourcing, tendering, demand management, standardisation and contract management.
  • Experience of working proactively with key suppliers to develop and adopt innovative products and solutions.
  • Experience in Supplier Relationship Management, including supplier performance, continuous improvement and management of supplier expectations.
  • Experience of consistently delivering benefit targets.
  • Able to analyse and interpret spend data and undertake market analysis.
  • Specialist Knowledge of Public Procurement Regulations and sound knowledge of contract law.

Desirable

  • Previously worked within an NHS Procurement Function
  • a Working knowledge of NHS Finances

IT Skills

Essential

  • Good knowledge of Microsoft Office software, particularly Microsoft Excel
  • Experience of using specialist e-procurement tools including e-tendering, e-sourcing and reverse auctions.

Communication & Interpersonal Skills

Essential

  • Excellent written and oral communication skills and interpersonal skills
  • Commercial acumen within procurement
  • Ability to successfully lead and work with teams
  • Excellent negotiation skills

Organisational & Planning

Essential

  • Ability to plan and forecast in short, medium and long term with appropriate detail.
  • Ability to plan and develop complex and longer term strategic projects
  • Proven experience of managing projects with minimal supervision.
  • Ability to work under pressure and maintain a good balance of humour

Other relevant factors

Essential

  • Graduate of related subjects encouraged (e.g Business, Management, Economics, Health Sciences, etc)

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

Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Address

OUH Cowley

Procurement & Supply Chain Department (OUHC)

Garsington Road, Cowley, Oxford

OX4 2PG


Employer's website

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


Employer details

Employer name

Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Address

OUH Cowley

Procurement & Supply Chain Department (OUHC)

Garsington Road, Cowley, Oxford

OX4 2PG


Employer's website

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


Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Deputy Director of Strategic Sourcing

Gareth Ellis

gareth.ellis@ouh.nhs.uk

Details

Date posted

14 July 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£38,682 to £46,580 a year per annum pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Flexible working

Reference number

321-CORP-7273513-B6-PUB

Job locations

OUH Cowley

Procurement & Supply Chain Department (OUHC)

Garsington Road, Cowley, Oxford

OX4 2PG


Supporting documents

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