Senior Digital & Data Category Lead — Hybrid Derby

Distinct | B Corp; East Midlands; Hybrid; GBP 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

NHS Pension (9.8%)

Flexible working hours

22 days holiday rising to 25

Job summary

Public Sector Organisation in Derby is seeking an experienced Category Specialist for Information Management & Technology to lead Digital and Data procurement and commercial activities. The role focuses on complex transformation programmes across cloud services, EPR, AI-enabled technologies and security, with a strong governance framework.

You will develop category strategies, manage major supplier relationships and collaborate with Digital, Data, Clinical, Operational, Finance and Governance

Qualifications

• Significant procurement or category management experience.
• Previous Digital and Data/IT procurement and contract management experience.
• Strong commercial and supplier-management skills.
• Ability to work autonomously and exercise sound commercial judgement.
• Excellent stakeholder management and influencing skills.
• Comfort working with technical specialists and senior stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Develop and deliver Digital and Data category strategies.
• Lead complex, high-value procurement and sourcing from market engagement to contract award.
• Support major digital transformation programmes across cloud, infrastructure, EPR, cyber security, interoperability, data and AI technologies.
• Provide commercial advice on contract structures, pricing models and risk.
• Manage key technology suppliers and strategic supplier relationships.
• Monitor supplier performance against contracts, SLAs, KPIs and quality standards.
• Manage commercial and supplier risk including data protection and cyber security considerations.
• Use market intelligence, benchmarking and spend analysis to inform decisions.
• Translate technical and operational requirements into effective procurement strategies with stakeholders.
• Support wider procurement and cost-improvement activity across the organisation.

Skills

Procurement leadership

Digital & Data procurement

Commercial & supplier management

Autonomy & judgement

Stakeholder management

Technical collaboration

Education

CIPS qualification or equivalent experience

Job description

Public Sector Organisation in Derby is seeking an experienced Category Specialist for Information Management & Technology to lead Digital and Data procurement and commercial activities. The role focuses on complex transformation programmes across cloud services, EPR, AI-enabled technologies and security, with a strong governance framework.

You will develop category strategies, manage major supplier relationships and collaborate with Digital, Data, Clinical, Operational, Finance and Governance