Are you an experienced ICT Category Manager with the drive, passion and motivation to make a difference? Have you got a strong background in procurement and know how to combine the rigorous compliance needs of the public sector regulations with sound commercial practice, in order to get the best possible procurement outcomes for an organisation?

Reporting to the Deputy Head of Procurement and Logistics, the ICT Category Manager will lead specific strategic sourcing programmes, with a key element of the role being to ensure the quality service delivery of some of the Trust's key strategic contracts.

The Procurement and Logistics department has undergone a considerable change over recent years, achieving NHS Professional Standards for Procurement Level 1 accreditation and the CIPS Procurement Excellence Standard. We are now looking for a new Category Manager to build on this level of success and sustain the step-change in performance that has been achieved over in recent years.

Main duties of the job

The Category Manager will lead specific strategic sourcing programmes for the ICT category with a key element of the role being to ensure the quality service delivery of some of the Trust's key strategic contracts including.

The Category Manager role is expected to:

• Have specialist knowledge, evidenced by being qualified in procurement or working towards a qualification in procurement (MCIPS).
• Have experience in sourcing and managing ICT contracts, ideally in a public sector environment.
• Have practical experience in a procurement/contracting/supply chain environment.
• Have a demonstrable track record of delivering cash releasing savings through partnership working to identify non-value adding activities and new opportunities realise additional value in our contracts.
• Possess excellent communication skills.
• Proven track-record of building and maintaining effective stakeholder relationships both internal and external.
• Strong commercial awareness and knowledge of contract law.
• Exemplary communication and negotiation skills.

About us

Yorkshire Ambulance Service (YAS) NHS Trust geographically covers nearly 6,000 square miles of varied terrain, from isolated moors and dales to urban areas, coastline and inner cities.

We serve a population of over five million people across Yorkshire and the Humber and strive to ensure that patients receive the right response to their care needs as quickly as possible, wherever they live.

We employ more than 7,100 staff, who together with over 1,300 volunteers, enable us to provide a vital 24-hour, seven-days-a-week, emergency and healthcare service.

Our values:Compassion, One Team, Integrity, Innovation, Empowerment, Resilienceare at the heart of all we do.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Accountable to the Deputy Head of Procurement and Logistics the post will deliver a service that facilitates exemplary delivery of its key relationships and contracts, supporting delivery of patient care to the highest standard.

The successful applicant will have a varied role which will include supporting the organisations operational and financial performance targets through the delivery of the functions Category Strategy, key projects and programmes and effective supplier relationship management.

Core Responsibilities

• To develop and contribute to the ongoing development of procurement policies for the Trust, linked to national guidelines, Trust Standing Financial Instructions, Trust Procurement Strategy and other procurement regulations.
• To represent the Head of Procurement as the link between the Trust and other Government Agencies, where required, representing the Trusts interests.
• To communicate Trust vision to key suppliers to ensure line of sight between delivery of effective and relevant service delivery and Trust objectives.
• To lead and resolve any performance related discussions to a satisfactory conclusion to both the Trust and its suppliers.
• To initiate discussions on appropriate SMART key performance indicators representative of the overall status of current and future supplier relationship
• Organise and facilitate / chair formal governance meetings with strategic suppliers.
• Manage conflict resolution between internal stakeholders, and suppliers.
• Drive innovation / additional value from strategic supplier relationships.
• Lead all associated meetings, workshops and collaborative events required to support the effective delivery of key Trust contracts.
• Work with National procurement colleagues with regard to potential for extending the scope of contracts in order to achieve greater economies of scale.

Analytical and Judgemental Responsibilities

• To lead the ICT category, researching, analysing category spend data market information to inform the development of innovative and high-quality category strategies and plans. Working with budget holders and users to influence the application of non-pay budgets outside of post holders direct control, and make both cashable and non-cashable savings.
• Manage the production of relevant management information (e.g. monthly supplier dashboards) to provide Trust senior management with a holistic view of the supplier relationship.
• Adapting to frequently changing procurement and market environment, reflecting current market position in procurement and category plans.

Planning and Organisational Responsibilities

• To support the delivery of key aspects of the Trusts Procurement Strategy and associated ICT work plans linked and underpinning the Trust business objectives and financial targets.
• To deliver operational procurement, maximising the services overall performance, meeting the Head of Procurements targets for savings, and exceeding the customers expectations for timeliness and quality, reporting against targets and objectives, via the Deputy Head of Procurement as required.
• Undertake and support contract renewal and retendering activity.
• Undertake and support tendering activity, placing advertisements in the Official Journal of the European Union (OJEU) and relevant trade press issuing documentation evaluating offers with Trust personnel submitting recommendations for award to Trust Board members and awarding contracts.

Policy and Service Development Responsibilities

• Work with the Head of ICT, other Heads of Departments and key senior stakeholders to provide advice and guidance on market, procurement, supplier and contract issues.
• Meet regularly with internal and external stakeholders to identify risks, issues and opportunities for improvement / additional value add particularly from key strategic supplier relationships.

Financial, Physical and Information Resource Responsibilities

• Identify and secure cost avoidance opportunities through the adoption of appropriate procurement strategies
• Achieve cash releasing savings and value for money, through partnership working to identify non-value adding activities and new opportunities realise additional value in our contracts.

Research and Audit Responsibilities

• On-going analysis of the market to ensure future category and procurement strategies best reflect Trust business objectives and financial targets
• On-going performance management of suppliers through the effective management of existing key performance indicators, analysing performanace data to ensure compliance to contract and escalation in accordance with the contracts.
• Produce statistical data to ensure that informed decisions are made analyse data and produce spreadsheets, reports, etc. in a format that can be understood by non-procurement personnel.

Leadership, Management, Training and Supervision Responsibilities

Provide day to day allocation of duties and responsibilities to Assistant Category Managers, ensuring opportunities for personal development are identified and linked to the delivery of organisational objectives.

Promote and protect the equality, diversity and rights of others and assist in the provision of a fair and just culture by being open, honest, supportive and respectful of others.

Embrace high standards of employment practice and act in accordance with the Business Conduct for Staff Interests, Gifts, Hospitality & Sponsorship Policy and promote the vision, values and goals of the organisation.

Contribute as an active member of the senior financial management team and ensure successful collaborative working with members of the Trusts Senior Management Group.

Contribute to the development of corporate strategy and lead specific areas as required.

Carry out investigations of staff management issues in other areas as requested by Human Resources.

Chair disciplinary and capability hearings as required including staff from outside the Finance Directorate.

Corporate Responsibilities

• It is the responsibility of each member of staff to ensure that they maintain the confidentiality and security of all information in accordance with the requirements of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), Data Protection Act 2018, the common law duty of confidentiality and, for the protection of patient confidentiality, the principles of Caldicott.
• Managers should also ensure that their staff are aware of their obligations under legislation such as the Freedom of Information Act 2000 Computer Misuse Act 1990, and that staff are updated with any changes or additions relevant to legislation.
• Staff must be aware of and adhere to the provisions of the Health and Safety at Work Act and to ensure their own safety and the safety of colleagues and patients.
• Mandatory training requirements that are relevant to the post must be decided during Personal Development Review and a training plan developed.
• Staff should be aware of their individual responsibilities under the Equal Opportunities Policy and ensure that they adhere to the provisions of the policy.
• Individuals are also required to comply with the policies, procedures and protocols in place within the Trust.
• This job description is not meant to be exhaustive. It describes the main duties and responsibilities of the post. It may be subject to change in the light of developing organisational and service needs and wherever possible change will follow consultation with the post holder.

Person Specification

Qualification / Knowledge

Essential

• Member of Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (or working towards full MCIPS status)
• Degree in procurement, logistics or supply chain management or the equivalent industry experience (for the purposes of this JD equivalent experience is 3 years procurement/supplies experience)
• Detailed understanding of the EU Directives and Public Contract Regulations, standard terms and conditions of contract and contract law

Skills / Competence

Essential

• Strong commercial awareness and knowledge of contract law
• Exceptional influencing and negotiating skills within a multi-disciplinary environment to achieve maximum value from contracts
• Numerate with good computer skills in Microsoft Word, PowerPoint and Excel

Personal Attributes

Essential

• Professional approach with an ability to focus on customer service and quality orientation
• Ability to work well under pressure, effectively planning and prioritising own workloads.

Experience

Essential

• Experience in ICT Category Management with particular focus on Supplier Relationship Management / Vendor Management / Commercial Management ideally within a public sector environment

Desirable

• Experience of working within the healthcare sector in a commercial role
• Experience of using eProcurement, P2P and Oracle systems
• Experience of successfully managing large, business critical long term contractual relationships

Employer details

Employer name

Yorkshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust

Address

Logistics Hub, Unit C1, Telford Way, Wakefield 41 Industrial Estate, Wakefield, WF2 0XW

Wakefield

WF2 0XW

Any attachments will be accessible after you click to apply.

174-ITCCM-040923