Principal Category Manager - NHSSBS

Sopra Steria - UK; United Kingdom; Hybrid; GBP 42,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent digital services leader is hiring a Principal Category Manager to focus on public procurement within the NHS. The role emphasizes leading a team, managing framework agreements, and driving improvements in healthcare. Suitable candidates should have public sector experience, strong negotiation skills, and CIPS Level 4 qualifications. The position offers flexibility in location with monthly onsite requirements.

Benefits

25 days annual leave

Health cash plan

Generous flexible benefits fund

Qualifications

• Experience in UK public sector procurement.
• Knowledge of UK Public Contract Regulations.
• Strong experience in project management.

Responsibilities

• Manage and deliver portfolio framework agreements.
• Review and negotiate contracts.
• Lead and develop a team of Category Managers and Buyers.

Skills

Supplier relationship management

Data analysis

Team leadership

Education

CIPS Level 4 or above

Job description

Bring Your Procurement Power to Where It Matters Most – The NHS!

Join NHS Shared Business Services as a Principal Category Manager where your expertise in public procurement and category management doesn’t just deliver value for money. It will also support front line care, drive system-wide improvements, and help shape the future of NHS healthcare. We are ready for you if you want to take your skills to the next level in a role that truly makes an impact.

In this national role within our Construction & Estates Category (C&E), you will lead a small team supporting the delivery of our Healthcare Planning, Construction Consultancy, and Ancillary Services Framework. For the right candidate, you will also offer support across other frameworks.

We can offer outstanding career progression opportunities, ability to be based anywhere across the UK, benefits which you can flex to meet your needs and training and development opportunities.

We recognise that work-life balance isn’t a luxury – it’s a necessity. We give employees the flexibility to help them achieve a healthier work-life balance and perform at their best. There will be expectation to attend team collaboration meetings onsite in our Salford office once monthly. You will also be required to attend client sites, exhibitions and conferences as and when required.

What you will be doing:

• Working closely within the C&E category to ensure effective management and delivery of portfolio framework agreements.
• Reviewing and negotiating draft contracts for the category area.
• Leading and developing a team of Category Managers and/or Buyers.
• Pursuing procurement excellence through the implementation of efficient and effective procurement projects within key markets.
• Analysing data and identify areas of cost savings and operational improvements to advise procurement plans.
• Supporting the Senior Category Manager with the management of key areas of improvement such as review of purchasing procedures, benchmarking, and day-to-day customer and supplier interactions.

What you will bring:

• Experience of working within a UK public sector procurement setting and knowledge of UK Public Contract Regulations and the New Procurement Act 2023.
• Qualified at CIPS Level 4 or above.
• Strong experience in supplier relationship management and collaboration.
• Experience in project management within a procurement setting, with the ability to interpret and analyse complex data.
• Team leadership and management experience.

If you’re interested in this role but unsure if your skills and experience match exactly, we encourage you to apply—we’d love to hear from you!

Employment Type: Full-time, Permanent
Location: Anywhere – (with a requirement to attend the Salford office once/twice monthly)
Security Clearance Level: DBS
Internal Recruiter: Rachel
Salary: Up to £50,000 per annum
Benefits:25 days annual leave with the option to buy extra days, health cash plan, 4 x death in service life assurance, pension, 3 days paid volunteering, 5 days paid carers leave and generous flexible benefits fund which you can take in cash.

Loved reading about this job and want to know more about us?

NHS Shared Business Services (NHS SBS) was created by the Department of Health and Social Care to deliver corporate services to the NHS. An outstanding joint venture with Sopra Steria, a European leader in digital services and software development, we make life easier for NHS employees, patients, and suppliers, and deliver value for money to the taxpayer. Proud members of the NHS family, we provide finance & accounting, digital, procurement and workforce services to more than half the NHS in England, and our solutions are underpinned by cutting-edge technologies and our teams’ expertise, in-depth understanding of the NHS, and commitment to service perfection.

We share common values and unity of purpose with the rest of the NHS family, are committed to being a force for good, and are dedicated and empowered to act responsibly
and sustainably at organisational, team and individual level.

Would you like to join us on our journey?