Category Manager

Job summary

Opportunity to join Torbay Procurement as a Category Manager supporting capital programme for the Trust managing mainly Medical Equipment and IT procurement. 34 hours a week Monday to Friday with hybrid working from home and the Torquay office.

Acting as an ambassador for the Procurement Department and to promote the benefits of professional procurement practice To provide an efficient and effective procurement service to the Trust in the support of its strategic objectives To ensure high standards of performance, quality and courtesy are achieved and maintained with stakeholders and suppliers To ensure that all order, invoice queries and new items requests are processed in line with procedures To proactively monitor usage trends in support of compliance and contract terms, enabling achievement of cost savings To take responsibility for managing a category of Trust expenditure To influence end users' choice of products and service and to ensure that all queries and complaints are dealt with in a professional and positive manner To promote the Trusts procurement strategy and to contribute to evolving current and future procurement procedures and practices To line manage Band 5 post, including sickness absence management, objective setting, appraising To deputise for the Head of Procurement as required

Main duties of the job

Act as an ambassador and brief staff at a senior level on Standing Financial Instructions in relation to competitive tendering and best value solutions Develop productive ongoing relationships with end users and suppliers Seek to influence customer choice to standardise products and reduce costs through the effective management of procurement and negotiation processes Maintain regular contact with end users and suppliers to develop knowledge and understanding of requirement and provide relevant information Make regular presentations to stakeholders and staff regarding procurement issues. This will include staff training presentations as well as briefing stakeholders on the outcome of contracting activity Arrange and attend Contract meetings with a variety of suppliers and key customers in support of the local procurement work plan Identifies and network with strategic sourcing and materials management teams at SDHC internally and throughout the SW supply network Ensure commitment and compliance with Contract terms Build collaborative relationships with other local Public Sector organisations The ability to work under pressure while ensuring accuracy and maintaining systems so that commercial related documents remain 'In Confidence' Managing conflicting priorities within a team and a broad category portfolio Delivering in year savings

About us

The department procures goods and services on behalf of Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust, with responsibility for non-pay expenditure of over £183 million. The Logistics department provides a stock replenishment service to designated department and distributes sterile supplies to the wider healthcare community We are part of the Peninsula Purchasing and Supply Alliance, which provides Procurement services to Trusts in the South West peninsular Job description

Job responsibilities

Build collaborative relationships

Act as an ambassador and brief staff at a senior level on Standing Financial Instructions in relation to competitive tendering and best value solutions

Develop productive ongoing relationships with end users and suppliers

Seek to influence customer choice to standardise products and reduce costs through the effective management of procurement and negotiation processes

Maintain regular contact with end users and suppliers to develop knowledge and understanding of requirement and provide relevant information

Make regular presentations to stakeholders and staff regarding procurement issues. This will include staff training presentations as well as briefing stakeholders on the outcome of contracting activity

Arrange and attend Contract meetings with a variety of suppliers and key customers in support of the local procurement work plan

Identifies and network with strategic sourcing and materials management teams internally and throughout the SW supply network

Ensure commitment and compliance with Contract terms

Build collaborative relationships with other local Public Sector organisations

Strategic purchasing and supply activity

Post holder will have input into the budget of £183m. Analysing expenditure, tendering for business and putting forward best value recommendations

Implement strategies to manage delegated procurement portfolio / projects to manage the market

Develop and enhance supplier relationships

Conduct market, supplier and product research through site visits, contacts and internet etc. to inform strategy and realise tactical objectives

Identifies appropriate economies from analysis of product usage and delegated commodity portfolio

To support the management of an integrated e-procurement system which includes advertising, tendering, orders and payments and the implementation of new systems

Conduct situation analysis and determine most appropriate method of resolution

Analyse data to determine best value for money

Promote and use national contracts effectively

General Buying

Advise customers on appropriate practices relating to the use of existing contracts and tendering procedures for goods and services

Give training and advice to budget holders on procurement matters through meetings and daily on an ad hoc basis

Identify trends and analysis product usage

Provide management information when requested

Produce reports on contract coverage and savings opportunities both proactively and as requested by line management. Issue and evaluate requests for quotations and invitation to Tenders

Research alternative products

Identify and discuss own development and training needs

Proactively manage designated supplier portfolios to ensure contract compliance

Critically assess requests from customer base for new products and new suppliers entry to the e-procurement catalogue

Plan and co-ordinate complex purchasing and contract requirements

General Administration

Ensure timely implementation of all routine administration procedures

Post holder is expected to work on own initiative and to ask about policy, protocol and agreed procedures if unclear

Ensure open two-way communication of purchasing information to team members

Ensure compliance with all relevant legislation, policy and procedures

Line management

Coordinate and monitor the work of others, inspiring and leading by example

Train, motivate and encourage others to support our strategic direction

To manage sickness absence effectively

Set objectives & conduct regular appraisals

Support a personal development programme

Encourage innovation

Cover for procurement staff as and when required

Communication and Working Relationships

Internal communication: -

Executive Directors

General Managers

Senior Managers and operational staff

Management Accountants

Clinical staff

External Communications: -

NHS Trusts

NHS Supply Chain

Other Government Purchasing Bodies

Local Authorities

Suppliers and Service Providers

Communication will involve attending internal and external meetings to provide advice and present information. Communications will involve a high level of negotiation. Tact and sensitivity are required when debriefing unsuccessful suppliers.

Act as a point of contact for customer and supplier queries

Field enquiries and ensure that they are efficiently resolved

Liaise and collaborate within the NHS and other public sector procurement communities.

Person Specification

Meets requirements

Essential

Meets job requirements

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