Category Specialist

DHU Healthcare; Compton; On-site; GBP 43,000 - 52,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

NHS pension

Wellbeing support

Flexible working

Career growth

Job summary

DHU Healthcare is seeking a Category Specialist to provide specialist commercial and procurement leadership for digital and data transformation programmes, including cloud services, EPR and clinical systems, infrastructure modernisation, interoperability, cyber security, AI-enabled technologies, digital platforms, and strategic technology partnerships.

This role is responsible for developing and delivering category strategies, sourcing activities, and supplier management arrangements that

Qualifications

• Experience leading digital and data procurement projects.
• Knowledge of NHS public procurement principles.
• Ability translate technical requirements into procurement strategies.

Responsibilities

• Lead development and delivery of digital and data category strategies aligned to organisational priorities.
• Deliver complex, high-value procurement exercises in line with public procurement principles.
• Ensure commercial arrangements support clinical safety, data security, and service continuity.
• Support major digital transformation programmes including EPR, cloud, infrastructure, interoperability, cyber security, data platforms, AI-enabled technologies, and digitally enabled clinical services.
• Provide robust commercial advice on contract structures, pricing models, and risk allocation.
• Ensure commercial arrangements align with NHS cyber security, information governance, DSPT, and data protection requirements.
• Support the Head of Procurement & Supplier Management in delivering procurement activity across non-Digital and Data categories as required.
• Translate technical and service requirements into commercially robust procurement strategies.
• Support development of procurement capability across the organisation.

Skills

Procurement leadership

Digital procurement

Sourcing activity

Supplier management

Job description

Category Specialist

Date: 2026-09-05

Location: Ashbourne, Derbyshire, GB, DE6 1

Contract: Permanent

Salary: £47,440 Per annum (Band 7)

At DHU Healthcare, every role matters. Because every moment gives us the chance to make the difference - for patients, colleagues and communities. Wherever you join us, your compassion, commitment and skills will not only make all the difference in the moment today but also shape the care we deliver tomorrow.

Purpose of the role

You will provide specialist commercial and procurement leadership for complex Digital and Data transformation programmes, including cloud services, EPR and clinical systems, infrastructure modernisation, interoperability, cyber security, AI-enabled technologies, digital platforms, and strategic technology partnerships. This role is responsible for developing and delivering category strategies, sourcing activities, and supplier management arrangements that support the organisation's delivery of safe, effective, resilient, and value-for-money NHS funded services.

Key areas of Responsibility

• Lead the development and delivery of digital and data category strategies aligned to organisational priorities and NHS service delivery requirements.
• Deliver complex, high-value procurement exercises in line with public procurement principles.
• Ensure commercial arrangements support clinical safety, data security, and service continuity.
• Support major digital transformation programmes including EPR, cloud, infrastructure, interoperability, cyber security, data platforms, AI-enabled technologies, and digitally enabled clinical services.
• Provide robust commercial advice on contract structures, pricing models, and risk allocation.
• Ensure commercial arrangements align with NHS cyber security, information governance, DSPT, and data protection requirements.
• Support the Head of Procurement & Supplier Management in delivering procurement activity across non-Digital and Data categories as required.
• Translate technical and service requirements into commercially robust procurement strategies.
• Support development of procurement capability across the organisation.

For you, Benefits that work

We'll support your health, happiness and future with benefits that put you first:

• Access to the NHS pension scheme (we'll also honour your existing NHS pension pot and holiday entitlement if you're transferring).
• Wellbeing support.
• Flexible working options.
• Career growth and development opportunities.

At DHU Healthcare, you'll find a welcoming, supportive environment with wellbeing support, flexible options and career growth. Your career and contribution really matter - for you, for them, with us.