Category Assistant

Northampton General Hospital NHS Trust; Kettering; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

University Hospitals of Northamptonshire NHS Group is seeking a procurement professional to support a portfolio of digital procurement projects across the group. You will assist with planning, compliant processes, and developing specifications, tender documents and evaluation criteria to drive value for money.

Working with category specialists and suppliers, you will research markets, lead evaluation activities, and help implement contracts.

Qualifications

• Educated to degree level or equivalent level of education, training or experience.
• Evidence of continual professional development and working towards relevant procurement qualifications.

Responsibilities

• Support delivery of procurement projects within the Digital category across the NHS group.
• Develop specifications, quotations, tenders and evaluation criteria in line with UK legislation and Trust SOPs.
• Collaborate with Category Specialists and suppliers to achieve value for money and service improvements.

Skills

Analytical skills

Communication

Time management

Interpersonal skills

Initiative

Leadership

Education

Degree level or equivalent

Tools

Microsoft Office

Ordering systems

Market research tools

Job description

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

The post holder will support the delivery of a portfolio of procurement projects within the Digital category area across University Hospitals of Northamptonshire NHS Group. This will include assisting with the planning and delivery of compliant procurement processes, supporting capital and revenue projects, developing specifications, quotation and tender documents, analysing supplier responses and contributing to contract award recommendations.

Working with the Category Specialists, Category Manager, and wider procurement team, the post holder will help identify appropriate procurement routes, undertake market, supplier and product research, support evaluation processes and contribute to the delivery of value for money, savings and service improvements. The role will also involve supporting contract implementation and monitoring, resolving supplier and contract queries, assisting with invoice discrepancies and helping to ensure suppliers comply with agreed terms and conditions.

The post holder will develop effective relationships with stakeholders, suppliers and colleagues across KGH, NGH and the wider NHS supporting collaborative working across the Group and wider NHS where appropriate. They will be expected to work professionally and ethically, in line with Trust Standing Financial Instructions, Standing Orders, procurement legislation and internal governance requirements. The role supports distributed and flexible working arrangements, although travel between Kettering General Hospital, Northampton General Hospital and other Group sites may be required depending on business needs.

Person specification

Education, Training & Qualifications

Essential criteria

• Educated to degree level or equivalent level of education, training or experience
• Working towards CIPS NVQ Level 4 or above, or have appropriate level of experience
• Evidence of continual professional development

Desirable criteria

• Full membership of CIPS

Knowledge & Experience

Essential criteria

• Demonstrable and significant experience within a specific category management area
• Experience of procurement projects including ongoing revenue and capital projects
• Evaluation and management of clinical and non-clinical products/service selection processes
• Independent ability to produce specifications, quotations, tenders, evaluation criteria, in accordance with UK legislation, Trust Standing Financial Instructions and Standing Orders
• Proven track record of independently carrying out full competitive tenders (including mini competitions) - evidence of a significant number of full competitions carried out for different products/services
• Proven track record of contract management with demonstrable evidence of this covering different contracts
• Good communication skills with ability to disseminate essential and complex information to multidisciplinary groups.
• Computer literate with detailed knowledge of standard computer packages e.g. Microsoft Office, Internet scheduling and ordering systems.
• Good verbal and written skills (including report writing)
• Supply market dynamics analysis.
• Some commercial knowledge and idea of different approaches.
• Current knowledge of EU, SFI's, SO's and procurement directives and legislation
• Current knowledge of contract law, contracting and purchasing legislation (including EU procurement)
• Experience of working within, and leading an operational procurement team

Desirable criteria

• Experience in a senior healthcare purchasing position.
• Negotiation and financial adjudication of complex high value contracts.

Skills

Essential criteria

• Advanced keyboard skills for document writing and complex spreadsheet work
• Ability to analyse information, interpret and/or present in a clear, comprehensive format for multi disciplinary audience
• Ability to work proactively with the ability to work on own initiative
• Ability to manage own time effectively
• Ability to maintain confidentiality to the highest degree
• Ability to influence others and gain credibility, in a clinical and management environment
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Prioritisation skills which include the ability to be methodical, numerate, a good problem solver, motivated, influential, assertive with tact and diplomacy
• Ability to meet tight deadlines and targets
• Methodical with attention to detail
• Ability to work under pressure with a high level of concentration
• Ability to lead teams and facilitate meetings

Desirable criteria

• Ability to project manage effectively

Key Competencies/ Personal Qualities & Attributes

Essential criteria

• Passionate and committed to bring our Dedicated to Excellence values to life, improving the way we work with each other, particularly focusing on empowerment, equality diversity and inclusion of our staff, patients and service users
• Able to demonstrate a commitment and understanding of the importance of treating all individuals with dignity and respect appropriate to their individual needs.
• Ability to operate in a multi-disciplinary environment and to develop effective internal and external relationships at all levels including director level.
• Ability to travel between the Kettering and Northampton Hospital sites and other sites across the Group (where postholders are required to travel as part of their role).

Important Information

We are an equal opportunities employer, which aims to employ a workforce that reflects the diverse communities we serve. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons from all backgrounds.

We welcome applications from members of our black and minority ethnic (BME) communities, especially in relation to senior posts within at KGH.

Applicants who have a disability and meet the essential criteria for the job will be interviewed if you indicate you wish to be considered under the Guaranteed Interview Scheme. If you require a reasonable adjustment at any stage of the recruitment process please make the recruitment services team aware as soon as possible.

Appointments will be made on merit.

Safeguarding is everyone's business. KGH considers Safeguarding a priority amongst its citizen's and a key value for all employed to the service.

We want to recruit the best people to deliver our services across the University Hospitals of Northamptonshire and help to unleash everyone's full potential. As an organisation, we value how we communicate and promote our vacancies to all communities. The Hospital Group encourages applications from people who identify from all protected groups, especially those from BAME, Disabled and LGBTQ+ backgrounds as these are underrepresented in our hospitals. We understand that we need to work with colleagues from diverse backgrounds and make sure the environment they work in is inclusive and collaborative. We have active Networks that promote and support colleagues from all backgrounds. This ensures everyone feels supported and has a sense of belonging working for Kettering and Northampton General Hospitals.