Lead Category Manager

Lead Category Manager

The closing date is 17 May 2026.

At NHS Commercial Solutions (NHSCS), making a difference is central to our work. If you're motivated by delivering meaningful impact across the NHS, this role could be for you. We are recruiting two Lead Category Managers to join our team.

Why join NHSCS? You'll work at the heart of public sector procurement, directly supporting the NHS. You'll gain experience across diverse sectors, build strong commercial insight, and develop a deep understanding of how public sector organisations operate. You'll collaborate on consultancy projects that deliver tangible value and help design high‑impact frameworks that drive efficiency and innovation.

These strategic roles will drive value through delivering projects, frameworks and procurements for customers. They involve extensive engagement with NHS organisations, wider public sector bodies, Integrated Care Systems and NHS England.

You should bring strong communication skills, broad commercial acumen, and enthusiasm for procurement and category management.

Main duties of the job

In this senior role, you will lead strategic sourcing, deliver high‑value contracts and frameworks, and drive category initiatives that support quality patient care and operational efficiency.

Key responsibilities

• Lead end‑to‑end category management across assigned portfolios.
• Develop category strategies aligned to organisational priorities.
• Manage complex procurements in line with PA23, PSR and NHS best practice.
• Lead tenders for national/regional Framework agreements, including NHS England Framework Accreditation and Cabinet Office Spend Controls.
• Manage live frameworks and provider performance.
• Deliver measurable savings, sustainability benefits and improved service outcomes.
• Build strong stakeholder relationships and provide expert procurement guidance.
• Support and mentor colleagues.

These strategic roles support our Corporate Services, Estates and Facilities, Digital and Workforce Specialist Category Managers. They focus on category management, sourcing, contract management and consultancy services for a wide range of NHS and public sector customers.

As an NHSCS ambassador, you will engage senior stakeholders up to Board and Executive level, leading and supporting project groups across all levels. Strong practical procurement experience, skills and passion for the subject are essential.

Our offices are in Dorking, Surrey.

Qualifications

• Has a degree as a minimum.
• Is CIPS level 5.
• Working towards MCIPS.

Experience

• Min 5 years’ experience in procurement.
• Demonstrates understanding of best practice techniques in category management.
• NHS or Public Sector experience.
• Has procurement legislation knowledge.
• Ability to read and interpret data and apply the findings.

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.

£59,798 to £67,020 a year, inclusive of 5% Fringe HCAS, pa, pro rata.

Please note that we reserve the right to close posts as soon as sufficient applications are received. Previous applicants need not apply.

We look forward to receiving your application!

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