Category Specialist Assistant

NHS; Doncaster; On-site; GBP 24,000 - 27,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare employer in Doncaster is seeking a Category Specialist Assistant to provide procurement support for Capital Planning projects. The ideal candidate will have excellent IT skills and experience in procurement processes. The role involves data analysis, report generation, and supplier negotiation. This unique opportunity offers competitive compensation and the chance to work within a supportive team.

Benefits

Extensive range of learning opportunities

NHS Pension Scheme

Generous holiday entitlement

Health and wellbeing support

Qualifications

• Must have experience of working in a customer centered environment.
• Knowledge of procurement processes is essential.
• Public sector experience is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide a procurement service to the Capital Planning Unit.
• Assist in the standardisation of products to the Trust.
• Produce and analyse reports to identify supplier spend.

Skills

Excellent IT and administration skills

Team player

Excellent communication skills

Attention to detail

Data analysis

Education

GCSE grade C OR ABOVE in Maths & English

Tools

Electronic Systems

Job description

Category Specialist Assistant

The closing date is 03 December 2025

An opportunity has arisen for an enthusiastic individual to join our Category Management Team within our Procurement Department supporting the Capital Planning Unit at Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals NHS FT. We are a busy, supportive and friendly team. The Team is responsible for the contracting of Clinical and Corporate products and services for the Trust in line with Public Sector Procurement, this involves the issuing of Tenders, Contract Negotiation and Contract Management. Our Aim to award contracts working at times with other NHS bodies which improves the services to the Trust and achieves cost improvements.

The role we have is a procurement category specialist for the Capital Planning Unit supporting Minor and Major Capital Infrastructure projects. The role will be varied and at times challenging it will involve the collating entering of information, data analysis, preparing tender/quote documents, researching the Supplier market, responding to queries and supporting the Trusts internal and external stakeholders.

We require someone who has excellent IT and administration skills who will be unfazed by learning new IT systems. The role requires a team player who is an excellent communicator and who can develop and build on new and existing relationships. The role requires accuracy and a keen eye for details as the work will at times involve complex data. You will be required to multitask, work within given deadlines and at times work under pressure.

Main duties of the job

• To provide a procurement service to the Capital Planning Unit supporting the successful delivery of Major & Minor Schemes
• Assist in the standardisation of products to the Trust
• To provide advice, assistance and information to the Trust's customers on all supplies related issues.
• Advising on prices, specification of goods, supply chain method and most relevant purchasing procedure.
• To produce and analyse reports to identify supplier spend, product usage for Care Groups and Departments and to identify areas for product standardisation and potential cost improvement/savings.
• Deal promptly efficiently with customer queries and contract discrepancies.
• To undertake effective implementation and monitoring of specific Trust Contracts and management of Trust suppliers.
• To ensure all contracted products are made available via the product catalogue. To meet with Supplier Representatives to gather product intelligence.
• To negotiate with suppliers to establish cost savings.
• Assist with the development, implementation and monitoring of e-procurement systems and processes.
• Provide cover for the Category Specialists as required.
• Prioritise own workload and use effective time management skills to adapt to the needs of the Department and customer.
• Use judgemental and analytical skills to determine best procurement and supply chain methods.
• Carry out ad-hoc duties as requested.

About us

DBTH is one of Yorkshire's Leading acute trusts, serving a population of more than 440,000. Our services are based over three main hospital sites and several additional services employing over 7,000 colleagues.

At DBTH we have a comprehensive framework of behaviours that guide us in our daily working lives, these form the DBTH Way. We pride ourselves on our commitment to the values of We Care and now the DBTH Way builds upon these foundations, providing further clarity on what it means to embody these values in our everyday interactions.

As an organisation that supports flexible working, we want to be sure that you can work in a way that is best for us and for our patients, and for you. Speak to us about how we might be able to accommodate a flexible working arrangement. If it works for the service, we will do our best to make it work for you.

As an equal opportunities employer, we encourage applicants from all sectors of the community, particularly from under‑represented groups including those with disabilities, members of our ethnic minorities and LGBTQ+ communities.

• Extensive range of learning opportunities
• NHS Pension Scheme
• Generous holiday entitlement in line with Terms & Conditions
• Comprehensive health and wellbeing support
• NHS Car Lease schemes and a range of salary sacrifice scheme
• Discounts on restaurants, getaways, shopping and finance through external providers.

Job responsibilities

Please see attached to the advert a job description and person specification for further details. Please ensure you read this document carefully. Please note, if your application is successful you will be required to present original certificates of qualifications that are listed in the person specification under essential.

Certificate of sponsorship

Applications from individuals who require a Skilled Worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applicants. For further information and to check your eligibility for this post please following the link UK Visas and Immigration - GOV.UK. Please note that from April 9th 2025, band 2 & 3 entry roles are no longer eligible for sponsorship.

Person Specification

Knowledge & Experience

• Must have experience of working in a customer centred environment
• Knowledge of procurement processes
• Public sector Experience
• Experience of delivering savings
• Experience of supporting Minor & Major Capital Infrastructure Schemes

Qualifiactions & Training

• Prepared to undertake training in Procurement
• Good keyboard Skills
• GCSE grade C OR ABOVE in Maths & English

Personal Attributes & Skills

• Ability to extract data from Electronic Systems
• Ability to work under pressure whilst maintaining good attention to detail
• Ability to organise & prioritise daily workloads and work to deadlines
• Ability to be pro‑active and use own initiative
• Ability to work within time constraints
• Be able to keep accurate records of all activities for Audit purpose

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 name

Doncaster & Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals NHS FT

£24,937 to £26,598 a year Pro Rata Per Annum