Senior Category Manager (Construction & Estates)

Sopra Steria; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A public sector service provider in the United Kingdom is looking for a Senior Category Manager to lead strategic sourcing initiatives for the NHS. This role involves managing a team, developing procurement strategies, and engaging with stakeholders. The ideal candidate should have experience in public sector procurement and contract management. A flexible working arrangement is offered, along with competitive compensation and benefits.

Benefits

£5,400 cash alternative car allowance

25 days annual leave with an option to buy extra days

Private medical insurance

3 days paid volunteering

Generous flexible benefits fund

Qualifications

• Solid understanding of Public Contracts Regulations (PCR) 2015.
• Experience managing direct reports in procurement.
• Strong market awareness of construction trends.

Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor, and support a team of buying staff.
• Develop and implement category strategies.
• Present category performance in Board settings.

Skills

Public sector procurement

Team leadership

Data analysis for cost savings

Stakeholder engagement

Negotiation with suppliers

Education

Level 5 CIPS qualification

Tools

JCT and NEC contract models

Job description

Overview

Procurement professionals – are you ready to make a real impact by applying your expertise to the NHS? We’re excited to be recruiting two Senior Category Managers to join our team at NHS SBS. Leading a small team, you will take ownership of either Soft FM within Estates & Facilities (including its associated frameworks) or delivering on our Healthcare Planning, Construction Consultancy, and Ancillary Services (HPCCAS) and our Modular Buildings Frameworks within Construction & Infrastructure.

You will flourish with the challenge of shaping strategic sourcing initiatives across our client base. Driving projects to success within key markets. Prioritising the provision of a professional, adaptable service will allow your efforts to significantly influence the healthcare system and those it supports.

Ensuring the team operates confidently in a regulated environment, you will focus on developing, delivering, and managing complex framework agreements for current and future client needs. You will also contribute to the development of strategic plans that drive strong growth across the portfolio.

We recognise that work-life balance isn’t a luxury – it’s a necessity. This is why we offer our employees flexibility to help them achieve a healthier work-life balance and perform at their best. There will be expectations to attend team collaboration meetings on site 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

• Leading, mentoring and supporting a team of buying staff of different levels.
• Developing and implementing short and long-term category strategies.
• Analysing data and identifying key areas for cost savings and process improvements.
• Managing a portfolio of projects. Working closely with key stakeholders to influence procurement choice, drives savings, efficiencies and improve quality.
• Confidently presenting category performance to the Senior Leadership team in a formal "Board" setting.
• Offering procurement support to the customer Service Directorates, Heads of Procurement and Key Leaders on a national footprint.
• Negotiating with the supplier base ensuring that all aspects are covered within the category from a product, service and stakeholder basis.

What you will bring

• A background in public sector procurement. A solid understanding of the Public Contracts Regulations (PCR) 2015, PA23, and related policies and mentorship.
• Proven experience operating within public sector procurement frameworks, including a solid awareness of call-off procedures and their practical application
• Experience managing direct reports. Focusing on supporting their development, enhancing procurement expertise, and building overall team capability.
• Demonstrated expertise in coordinating multiple programmes and developing collaborative relationship management frameworks.
• Proven experience leading complex high value construction and estates projects and programmes, with the resilience to navigate challenges and drive results. Strong market awareness and the ability to stay informed on emerging trends and industry developments.
• Exhibit strong commercial insight and maintain effective, resilient stakeholder engagement.

It would be good if you had

• Level 5 CIPS qualification (or working towards), or an alternative comparable qualification (desirable)
• Working knowledge of model form contracts such as JCT and NEC3 and NEC4, with practical experience in their application within construction projects

If you are interested in this role but not sure if your skills and experience are exactly what we’re looking for, please do apply, we’d love to hear from you!

Employment Type: Full Time, Permanent
Location: Nationwide – with monthly onsite visits to the Salford Office
Security Clearance Level: DBS
Internal Recruiter: Rachel
Salary: up to £60,000 per annum depending upon experience and development needs
Benefits: £5,400 cash alternative car allowance, 25 days annual leave with the option to buy extra days, 4 x death in service life assurance, private medical insurance, pension, 3 days paid volunteering, 5 days paid carers leave and a generous flexible benefits fund which you can take in cash.

We support many ways of working and can offer a range of flexible working arrangements. So, if you’re interested and need to work flexibly, we encourage you to apply and talk to us about what might be possible.

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. A unique 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. Our solutions are underpinned by cutting-edge technologies and our teams’ expertise, in-depth understanding of the NHS, and commitment to service excellence.

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?