Senior Category Manager

Job Summary This post is primarily based at the Archipelago Offices, located approximately a 10-minute walk from Frimley Park Hospital. Although the main base is Archipelago, this is a cross-site role with responsibilities across all three of the Trust's hospital locations. The post holder will therefore be required to work flexibly and travel between sites as needed. The role includes direct line management responsibility for one member of staff. The post holder will also be expected to develop strong and effective working relationships across a wide range of internal and external stakeholders. Internal stakeholders include: Executive and Non-Executive Directors, Audit Committee Members, Chiefs of Service, Associate Directors, Budget Holders and wider Trust staff. External stakeholders include: Department of Health, NHS Improvement, NHS Supply Chain, Crown Commercial Service, NHS Commercial Solutions (and other NHS and non-NHS procurement hubs), as well as suppliers' National Sales Managers, Regional Sales Managers, Commercial Business Managers and Account Managers. Responsibilities The Senior Category Manager is responsible for delivering strategic procurement initiatives across an allocated portfolio of sourcing categories, ensuring full compliance with relevant legislation, UK law and the Trust's Standing Financial Instructions. The post holder will provide efficient and effective procurement services within their designated categories, maximising value for money through process improvement, robust sourcing strategies and total cost of ownership analysis. The Senior Category Manager will report directly to the Head of Procurement and will act as deputy when required. Job Details Date posted: 28 November 2025 Pay scheme: Agenda for change Band: Band 8a Salary: £57,888 to £64,880 a year per annum incl HCAS Contract: Fixed term Duration: 24 months Working pattern: Full-time Reference number: 151-ES70 Job locations: Archipelago, Building 1, Lyon Way, Frimley, GU16 7UJ Person Specification Qualifications (Essential) Member of CIPS or equivalent Educated to degree level or equivalent Evidence of CPD related to purchasing and supply chain management Qualifications (Desirable) Project management (PRINCE2 or equivalent) An appropriate professional and/or management qualification Experience (Essential) Significant experience of Category Management role Demonstrable experience of running capital/professional services procurement projects Evidence of achievements in terms of savings/service improvements Experience in people management Experience (Desirable) Experience of working with senior staff Experience of working with the NHS Terms and Conditions of Supply Skills / Knowledge (Essential) Ability to effectively manage and successfully deliver a number of projects of varying complexities with competing timescales Able to work on a number of projects or pieces of work simultaneously and deliver to agreed deadlines, despite likely conflicting pressures from various stakeholders Ability to analyse and interpret complex information to assess issues, anticipate problems and provide effective solutions to meet the needs of stakeholders Demonstrable advanced IT skills including specialist software for contract management, e-tendering, mathematical, logical formulas and to generate accurate charts/graphs Skills / Knowledge (Desirable) Ability to work autonomously with credibility at a senior level of the organisation Developed knowledge of Microsoft products and able to use initiative and knowledge of these products to suggest and implement process improvements 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 Frimley Health NHS Foundationp> Archipelago, Building 1 Lyon Way Frimley GU16 7UJ https://www.fhft.nhs.uk/ #J-18808-Ljbffr