Assistant Category Manager - Mental Health & Community

NHS; London; On-site; GBP 44,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

Join the NHS as an Assistant Category Manager in a dynamic team focused on enhancing procurement and supply chain operations. This role is crucial for ensuring the Trust receives the best products and services to support patient care. Ideal candidates will have experience in public sector procurement and be proactive in their approach to stakeholder management and procurement practices.

Benefits

NHS pension

Annual leave benefits

Flexible working

Development opportunities

Qualifications

• Experience in public sector procurement and project management.
• Evidence of continuing professional development.
• Administrative experience with good IT literacy.

Responsibilities

• Managing stakeholder requests and procurement activities.
• Supporting innovative procurement practices and contract compliance.
• Providing excellent customer service to internal customers.

Skills

Communication

Interpersonal skills

Organizational skills

Stakeholder management

Education

CIPS Level 5 - Advanced Diploma in procurement

Prince 2 qualification

Tools

Microsoft Office applications

Job description

Job summary

Are you an experienced Assistant Category Manager looking to join an ambitious team in one of the most complex and large NHS Trusts in the UK. We are looking for an Assistant Category Manager within the Mental Health and Community Category. As a team member in a newly established position, you will play a key role in developing and implementing the new Procurement and Supply Chain operating model and strategy across Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation and the 'Smart Together' Shared Service. Together with the Category Manager and Senior Category Manager, you will deliver a proactive and professional procurement service and be individually responsible for the management of a range of procurement activities and projects to ensure that the Trust and its Shared Services Partner Trusts have access to the correct products and services to deliver world class patient care.

We are embarking on an exciting transformation journey which aims to advance our operations and deliver greater value to all the Trusts we serve.

This role is suitable for someone who is looking to progress their procurement career and develop their skills by either be already studying towards or willing to start on their MCIPS journey and who already has experience of working within a public sector procurement team and building good relationships with stakeholders and colleagues.

The role will require frequent travel to our Mental Health and Community Shared Service Partners in and around South London and Kent.

Main duties of the job

Reporting to the Category Manager, Mental Health & Community and being a key part of their team.

Managing stakeholder requests, and providing timely and accurate information to stakeholder and suppliers.

Supporting innovative procurement practices and ensuring contract compliance to drive out costs and improve patient care.

Procuring goods and services in line with Trust policies and procedures via compliant routes

Providing excellent customer services to our internal customers, and dealing professionally with external suppliers

Completing relevant analysis to improve processes, support problems solving or deliver sustainable cost and service improvements

About us

Why join us:

• Be part of an inclusive department with a flexible hybrid working approach and great annual leave offer, fostering a healthy work-life balance.
• Access to individual development opportunities and mentorship for career progression.
• Access to a great salary and an NHS pension.
• Contribute directly to our transformation journey, influencing the future of procurement and supply chain operations.

Details Date posted

05 June 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£44,806 to £53,134 a year per annum inc HCA (pro rata)

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

196-COF10771-Y

Job locations

Guy's & St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust

200 Great Dover Street

London

SE1 4YB

Job description Job responsibilities

A full Job Description and Personal Specification should be downloaded.

* Smart Together is a shared procurement and supply chain service hosted by Guys and St Thomas NHS Foundation Trust, one of the leading hospitals in the country and serve the hospitals across south east London.

Smart Together currently provides its services to GSTT and 4 other NHS Trusts, namely, Lewisham & Greenwich NHS Trust, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust, Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust and South London & Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust.

Job description Job responsibilities

A full Job Description and Personal Specification should be downloaded.

* Smart Together is a shared procurement and supply chain service hosted by Guys and St Thomas NHS Foundation Trust, one of the leading hospitals in the country and serve the hospitals across south east London.

Smart Together currently provides its services to GSTT and 4 other NHS Trusts, namely, Lewisham & Greenwich NHS Trust, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust, Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust and South London & Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust.

Person Specification Education & Qualifications Essential

• CIPS Level 5 - Advanced Diploma in procurement, or equivalent and supply, as well as professional knowledge acquired through project training and experience.
• Evidence of continuing professional development.

Desirable

• Desirable Criteria Prince 2 qualification or equivalent experience. Understanding of lean methodology.

Knowledge and Experience Essential

• Experience working as part of a team and the ability to develop contacts and build networks.
• Administrative experience and a good level of IT literacy, including Microsoft Office applications, in particular Excel and Word.
• Experience in managing projects, preparing reports, and providing business support.
• Experience in programme management within a public sector environment

Desirable

• Knowledge of project management methodologies.

Skills Essential

• Strong spoken and written communication skills and social skills.
• Good interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate and work effectively across teams.
• Excellent organisational skills with the ability to work under pressure.

Person Specification Education & Qualifications Essential

• CIPS Level 5 - Advanced Diploma in procurement, or equivalent and supply, as well as professional knowledge acquired through project training and experience.
• Evidence of continuing professional development.

Desirable

• Desirable Criteria Prince 2 qualification or equivalent experience. Understanding of lean methodology.

Knowledge and Experience Essential

• Experience working as part of a team and the ability to develop contacts and build networks.
• Administrative experience and a good level of IT literacy, including Microsoft Office applications, in particular Excel and Word.
• Experience in managing projects, preparing reports, and providing business support.
• Experience in programme management within a public sector environment

Desirable

• Knowledge of project management methodologies.

Skills Essential

• Strong spoken and written communication skills and social skills.
• Good interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate and work effectively across teams.
• Excellent organisational skills with the ability to work under pressure.

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

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).

Employer details Employer name

Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Guy's & St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust

200 Great Dover Street

London

SE1 4YB

Employer's website

https://www.guysandstthomas.nhs.uk/careers/careers.aspx (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details Employer name

Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Guy's & St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust

200 Great Dover Street

London

SE1 4YB

Employer's website

https://www.guysandstthomas.nhs.uk/careers/careers.aspx (Opens in a new tab)