Category Manager

NHS; Liverpool; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 63,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading NHS Trust in Liverpool is seeking a Category Manager for strategic procurement activities. This role involves managing a team, delivering high-profile projects, and providing expert procurement advice in line with regulations. Candidates must have a strong background in NHS procurement, be MCIPS qualified, and possess excellent analytical and leadership skills.

Qualifications

• Relevant experience in an NHS public sector procurement environment.
• Fully conversant with EU/UK procurement legislation.
• Experience of contract, stakeholder & supplier management.

Responsibilities

• Provide sound Procurement advice in line with Trust’s financial instructions.
• Manage a team of Procurement professionals.
• Support the Head of Category and deliver Procurement Strategy.

Skills

Sound Data Analysis skills

Excellent interpersonal and communication skills

Excellent organisational skills

Proven influencing and negotiation skills

Excellent Leadership skills

Education

Full Chartered Institute of Purchasing & Supply (MCIPS) qualification

Educated to master's level or equivalent

Tools

Microsoft Office tools

EProcurement systems

Job description

Job summary

The category manager will be responsible for strategic procurement activities across Health Procurement Liverpool (HPL) whilst supporting the Head of Category, Head of Procurement and Chief Procurement Officer in the development and delivery of the HPL Procurement Strategy and national procurement agendas.

The post holder will be required to support and manage a team of Procurement professionals in the identification and delivery of Procurement schemes as well as individually leading and delivering a number of high-profile complex projects, which will demonstrate and deliver value for money and innovation whilst meeting the needs of all organisation(s).

The post holder will be required to provide sound Procurement advice in-line with Trust(s) standing financial instructions and procurement regulations to both internal Procurement team members and staff across the HPL organisations whilst engaging, building and maintaining strategic working relationships with both internal/external colleagues and suppliers.

Main duties of the job

Please see Category Manager Procurement job description and person specification attached which includes details of the main duties of this role.

About us

The Walton Centre NHS Foundation Trust is the only NHS trust to hold dual accreditation for the Investors in People. We invest in people and we invest in wellbeing standards and have been awarded Gold status for both. The Walton Centre is a leader in the treatment and care of neurology and neurosurgery, placing the patient and their family at the heart of everything we do. As the only specialist hospital trust in the UK dedicated to providing comprehensive neurology, neurosurgery, spinal and pain management services we are proud to be rated as an Outstanding Trust by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), and champion change throughout the field of neuroscience. Originally formed in 1992, the Trust received Foundation Trust status in 2009.

With around 1,450 staff, The Walton Centre treats more than 127,000 outpatients and 18,000 inpatients each year. We have leading specialists and incredibly dedicated staff delivering excellent clinical outcomes for brain, spinal and neurological care nationally and internationally. Teams across our site in Fazakerley, Liverpool, offer a world-class service in diagnosing and treating injuries and illnesses affecting the brain, spine and peripheral nerves and muscles, and in supporting people suffering from a wide range of long-term neurological conditions.

Details Date posted

25 July 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 8a

Salary

£55,690 to £62,682 a year per annum pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

160-7344457

Job locations

The Walton Centre NHS Foundation Trust

Lower Lane

Liverpool

L9 7LJ

Job description Job responsibilities

Please see Category Manager Procurement job description and person specification attached which includes details of the main duties of this role.

Job description Job responsibilities

Please see Category Manager Procurement job description and person specification attached which includes details of the main duties of this role.

Person Specification Qualifications Essential

• Full Chartered Institute of Purchasing & Supply (MCIPS) qualification & Membership by examination or equivalent experience
• Educated to master's level or equivalent

Desirable

• Prince 2 project management
• Evidence of continued professional development

Knowledge & Experience Essential

• Relevant experience in an NHS public sector procurement environment with a track record of achievement
• Fully conversant with the application of EU/UK procurement legislation/tendering processes & procedures
• Experience of contract, stakeholder & supplier management
• Project management experience
• Delivery of demanding savings targets through Procurement activities
• Experienced in using a range of computer packages /applications
• Experienced in the use of EProcurement systems
• Evidence of on-going professional development
• Experience of managing both a strategic and materials management/operational procurement service within an NHS setting

Desirable

• Understanding of stock and inventory management systems and solutions

Skills & Attributes Essential

• Sound Data Analysis skills
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• Excellent organisational skills to ensure deadlines are prioritised and met
• Excellent Key Board Skills and proficient in the use of Microsoft Office tools in particular Word and Excel
• Understanding of current best practice in all aspects of supply chain management
• Proven influencing and negotiation skills
• Excellent Leadership skills
• Understanding of the current / future NHS agenda in Procurement
• Ability to build meaningful business relationship both internally across the organisation and externally with suppliers

Person Specification Qualifications Essential

• Full Chartered Institute of Purchasing & Supply (MCIPS) qualification & Membership by examination or equivalent experience
• Educated to master's level or equivalent

Desirable

• Prince 2 project management
• Evidence of continued professional development

Knowledge & Experience Essential

• Relevant experience in an NHS public sector procurement environment with a track record of achievement
• Fully conversant with the application of EU/UK procurement legislation/tendering processes & procedures
• Experience of contract, stakeholder & supplier management
• Project management experience
• Delivery of demanding savings targets through Procurement activities
• Experienced in using a range of computer packages /applications
• Experienced in the use of EProcurement systems
• Evidence of on-going professional development
• Experience of managing both a strategic and materials management/operational procurement service within an NHS setting

Desirable

• Understanding of stock and inventory management systems and solutions

Skills & Attributes Essential

• Sound Data Analysis skills
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• Excellent organisational skills to ensure deadlines are prioritised and met
• Excellent Key Board Skills and proficient in the use of Microsoft Office tools in particular Word and Excel
• Understanding of current best practice in all aspects of supply chain management
• Proven influencing and negotiation skills
• Excellent Leadership skills
• Understanding of the current / future NHS agenda in Procurement
• Ability to build meaningful business relationship both internally across the organisation and externally with suppliers

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

The Walton Centre NHS Foundation Trust

Address

The Walton Centre NHS Foundation Trust

Lower Lane

Liverpool

L9 7LJ

Employer's website

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

Employer details Employer name

The Walton Centre NHS Foundation Trust

Address

The Walton Centre NHS Foundation Trust

Lower Lane

Liverpool

L9 7LJ

Employer's website

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