Procurement Manager

Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (CIPS); Blackburn; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

A healthcare organization in Blackburn is seeking an IT Category Manager to provide procurement support across several Trusts. Key responsibilities include managing high-value contracts, leading procurement projects, and ensuring compliance with legislation. Ideal candidates will have significant experience in IT procurement, strong interpersonal skills, and a track record of delivering results. This role offers the opportunity to work collaboratively with various stakeholders to optimize procurement strategies.

Qualifications

• Experience of working in a Procurement team
• Experience in Corporate Services Procurement covering IT areas/category
• Demonstrable successful project management experience

Responsibilities

• Work with colleagues to deliver procurement strategy
• Provide excellent customer service to clinicians
• Develop and lead high value procurement projects

Skills

Strong interpersonal skills

Excellent negotiation skills

Problem-solving skills

Ability to manage issues

Education

Degree or diploma level graduate (CIPS or procurement related)

Job description

Job summary

We're on the lookout for a knowledgeable, hard-working IT Category Manager to join our team based in One Lancashire and South Cumbria, hosted by East Lancashire Hospitals. You will be responsible for providing dedicated procurement support to all Trusts.

The objective of the role is to identify, develop and deliver credible savings/work plans within the IT category and engage with stakeholders for the corporate functions, ensuring all procurement activity is undertaken in accordance with public procurement legislation and Trust standing financial instructions. The individual must be an IT Procurement Specialist with in-depth knowledge of supplier technology and services in the marketplace, and experience working with suppliers to negotiate enterprise contracts in IT categories, specifically on the following solutions and suppliers: acquisition of software, hardware, maintenance/support; acquisition of IT managed services/outsourcing arrangements; experience working with a variety of IT suppliers; lead colleagues through all steps of procurement processes to ensure best value for money and risks mitigated; advise on efficient and effective procurement; be seen as a Trusted Partner by building positive and collaborative relationships; negotiate with suppliers to establish commercially robust agreements.

Main duties of the job

Focus will be on supporting customers to deliver value for money on projects while ensuring legal compliance. The Procurement Manager will work within the Procurement tower to support the delivery of the procurement strategy and achieve balanced scorecard targets, including: savings and efficiency targets; improving and maintaining compliance with procurement regulations; customer service. You will work with stakeholders at all levels to present the procurement cluster as progressive and responsive, working collaboratively to influence system improvement and efficiency. Contribute as part of the One LSC Procurement team to the strategy and direction of the team; work on specific projects against agreed timescales and outcomes for One LSC Procurement customers, including sourcing goods, equipment, materials and services that meet requirements with value for money and an integrated approach to procurement. Provide professional support to users regarding the procurement process, including EU regulations and required procedures. Contribute to the strategy and direction of the One LSC Procurement team and the wider Lancashire Procurement Cluster.

About us

Created in November 2024, which superseded the Lancashire Procurement Cluster created in 2017, The One LSC Procurement team provides strategic procurement, commercial, logistics and supply chain services to the Trust Partners: Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust, Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust and Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust. The organisation is a shared service model, hosted by East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust. One LSC Procurement has four service lines: Procurement, Strategic Relationship Management, Systems & e-Commerce, Logistics and Supply Chain.

Job description

Job responsibilities

The post holder will take direction from the Senior Procurement Manager while also working independently to:

1. Work with colleagues in the procurement team to design and execute the delivery of the procurement strategy and balanced scorecard objectives through the work plan.
2. Provide excellent customer service to clinicians and service users across the One LSC Trusts and customer trusts.
3. Develop and lead high value procurement projects including planning and tender strategies, working closely with clinical and non-clinical staff to achieve project support and sign-off.
4. Develop appropriate procurement documents via the tendering system and assist in setting up the award evaluation system.
5. Be responsible for procurement of high value, complex contracts, ensuring project management processes are in place with status reports and procurement requirements managed.
6. Lead commercial negotiations with suppliers in accordance with the project.
7. Support and guide professional development within the team.
8. Supervise a dedicated buying team aligned to a selected customer.
9. Manage day-to-day operations of Senior Buyer and Lead Buyer within delegated limits, improving and maintaining motivation and morale.
10. Support budget holders in managing their budgets across the life cycle and provide regular update reports.
11. Contribute to the One LSC procurement team strategy (tower) with regard to category spend within remit.
12. Support the Senior Procurement Managers in developing the Procurement tower and wider Lancashire Procurement Cluster strategy and ensure it is understood and supported by budget managers and clinicians to achieve One LSC objectives and optimise commercial arrangements.
13. Lead on the uptake of local benefits from collaborative arrangements with partners.
14. Ensure compliance with statutory and local policies/procedures throughout procurement; coordinate high value quotations and tenders with compliance to Trust Standing Orders and Standing Financial Instructions.
15. Identify and deliver projects and efficiencies to achieve agreed performance; work with partner Trusts to analyse spend, control expenditure, understand markets and identify savings opportunities.
16. Ensure all contracts data is captured on the One LSC contract register and record savings from budget and inflation/cost-avoidance.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Good general standard of education including Mathematics and English Language - GCSE level Grade 4
• Degree or diploma level graduate (CIPS or procurement related) or equivalent relevant experience

Desirable

• Supervisory/management qualification or equivalent
• Project management qualification or equivalent
• Willing and able to complete CIPS or working towards

Experience

Essential

• Experience of working in a Procurement team
• Experience of staff management
• Experience in Corporate Services Procurement covering IT areas/category
• Demonstrable successful project management experience with proven ability to deliver projects on-time and within a varied portfolio
• Experience of contract, stakeholder & supplier management
• Experience of working with a wide range of Stakeholder groups
• Experience of negotiating complex contracts
• Sound knowledge of contract management
• Knowledge of best practice in Procurement & supply
• Experience of working in a busy target driven environment to deliver savings opportunities

Desirable

• Experience in Public Sector or NHS procurement
• Knowledge of the application of UK procurement legislation/ tendering processes & procedures
• Experience in using online Tendering platforms such as Atamis
• Delivery of demanding savings targets through procurement activities

Skills

Essential

• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to interact with people/stakeholders at all levels
• Able to identify and manage issues as they arise and demonstrate problem solving skills
• Excellent negotiation and financial adjudication skills to manage complex high value projects

Other

Essential

• High level of personal professionalism
• Evidence of commitment to Continual Professional Development (CPD)
• Confident to present/represent procurement at senior meetings
• Pro-active can-do attitude
• Committed to delivering positive outcomes
• Team Player
• Excellent communication skills
• Flexible approach to working times and location plus have access to transport to move across sites
• Adaptable to changing demands or service needs

Desirable

• Ability to cope under pressure

Other

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 .

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.

Employer details

Employer name
East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust

Address

Royal Blackburn Hospital - but to work across sites
Blackburn
BB2 3HH

Employer's website