LeedsTeaching Hospitals NHS Trust is looking for a highly motivated Strategic Relationship Manager (Band 7) to join our Procurement Directorate. This is an exciting opportunity to play a key role in shaping how we work with our suppliers, ensuring they deliver best in class performance, sustainable value, and high quality services for our patients and staff.
Working closely with Procurement, Finance, clinical teams and wider business partners, you will support the strategic management of a significant contract portfolio and help drive improvements in service delivery, governance, and supplier performance. You’ll bring strong commercial awareness, excellent communication skills, and the confidence to influence at all levels.
We’re looking for someone who is collaborative, proactive, and committed to delivering high quality outcomes in line with The Leeds Way values.
Main duties of the job
Build and maintain strong working relationships with internal and external stakeholders to support strategic goals.
Support the strategic management of a designated portfolio of Trust contracts, ensuring value for money, compliance, and high quality service delivery.
Monitor supplier performance against KPIs and SLAs, identifying risks, resolving issues, and driving continuous improvement.
Provide commercial and contractual advice to senior managers, clinical teams, and project groups.
Contribute to the development and implementation of procurement and contract management strategies across the Trust.
Analyse contract disputes, interpret complex information, and support decision making in the Trust’s best interests.
Identify and deliver cost improvement opportunities, both one‑off and recurring.
Support policy development, governance, and adherence to Trust procedures, including Information Governance and Health & Safety.
Work collaboratively across departments and with regional partners, including WYAAT, to support shared objectives and service improvements.
Job responsibilities
The post holder will work closely with Procurement, Finance, and other business partners in developing and supporting strategies to deliver towards strategic goals. They will also be expected to demonstrate strong supplier management skills, excellent commercial awareness and display sound financial acumen.
Additionally, they will be highly motivated, quality focused and have the ability to influence at all levels, working in close partnership with senior clinical and operational colleagues.
In relation to the Trust supplier contract portfolio they will provide technical and professional support to senior management across the organisation and with a wide range of external organisations including other local, regional and national NHS organisations, legal advisers and supplier organisations.
- Stakeholder Engagement: Building and maintaining effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders to support strategic goals.
- Strategic Planning: Contributing to the development and implementation of strategies that align with Trust objectives and improve healthcare outcomes.
- Performance Monitoring: Evaluating the effectiveness of partnerships and initiatives, ensuring they meet agreed KPI targets and deliver value.
- Leadership and Collaboration: Leading meetings across departments and working collaboratively across departments to drive strategic projects and initiatives.
- Problem Solving: Identifying challenges and implementing solutions to enhance service delivery and stakeholder satisfaction.
- Compliance and Governance: Ensuring adherence to NHS policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements. Knowledge and experience of procurement IT systems including management information systems and data capture devices.
Qualifications
- Degree in a business related discipline or equivalent experience
- Evidence of ongoing professional development
- MCIPS or working towards it
Experience
- Experience working with senior stakeholders to deliver projects or improvements
- Evidence of developing or monitoring savings or value improvement plans
- Experience of contract or supplier management
Skills & Behaviours
- Strong communication and relationship building skills
- Ability to influence and negotiate with stakeholders
- Experience using data and analysis to support decisions
- Evidence of commercial or procurement expertise
- Ability to work under pressure and manage competing priorities
- Flexible, proactive, and able to work independently or as part of a team
- Experience of decision making where no precedent exists
- Understanding of procurement or commercial delivery in an NHS or acute healthcare setting
About us
LeedsTeaching Hospitals NHS Trust is one of the largest and most respected healthcare providers in the country. Our values – Patient centred, Collaborative, Fair, Accountable, and Empowered – guide everything we do. As part of the West Yorkshire Association of Acute Trusts (WYAAT), we work closely with partners across the region to improve care, share expertise, and deliver better outcomes for our communities.
We offer a supportive and inclusive working environment, with access to staff networks and wellbeing initiatives, opportunities for personal and professional development. This is your opportunity to contribute to meaningful change and help shape how we work with our suppliers to deliver outstanding care.
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