Job summary
- Main area
- Procurement
- Grade
- Band 4
- Contract
- Permanent
- Hours
- Full time - 37.5 hours per week
- Job ref
- 210-2026-450
- Employer
- Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- Countess Of Chester Hospital
- Town
- Chester
- Salary
- £28,392 - £31,157 pa
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Closing
- 01/07/2026 23:59
- Interview date
- 26/07/2026
Employer heading
Category Officer
Band 4
Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, staff pride themselves on not only leading through clinical excellence, but also by creating an environment where all staff are valued and appreciated. To achieve this, the Trust has embarked on an exciting new strategy focused on continuous improvement.
Our vision is to improve the lives of our community and provide excellence in healthcare, through partnership and innovation
Our High Performance Culture will support everyone to be the best version of themselves by being true to our Trust vision, values and behaviours.
We welcome applications from colleagues from our local and neighbouring communities of all backgrounds and identities, who are currently under-represented within our region such as Black, Asian, Minority ethnic and those with disabilities.
As a region we are reviewing the way we work, and exploring how new working practices that support flexible working can create a positive work-life balance. As part of our recruitment process we will explore how our inclusive employment policies, flexible working, staff engagement forums, Trust facilities and services can be of mutual benefit.
Job overview
Working hours: 37.5 hours per week
A new and exciting opportunity has arisen to join our dynamic team as a Category Officer in the Procurement Department at The Countess of Chester Hospital.
The Category Officer will provide a professional procurement service to the Trust and undertake and assist in the formulation and implementation of Trust Contracts.
This role will suit a candidate who is looking for development opportunities and enjoys working in a fast paced environment within an Acute Trust setting. The role involves significant stakeholder engagement both internally and externally. You will be able to work independently and also as a team, ensuring compliance with the Trust SFIs and public sector legislation.
Main duties of the job
- To identify and assist in the development, analysis and the process of contracts at national, regional and above threshold levels in accordance with Trust Standing Financial Instructions and Standing Orders.
- To lead on reviewing and maintaining the contract data base through effective contract management by actively monitoring and updating database in a timely manner.
- To assist in the research and evaluation of the marketplace and conduct benchmarking exercises through the comparison of appropriate routes of supply chain and the effective use of collaborative purchasing.
- To provide Customers with advice and guidance surrounding the services and procedures provided by the Procurement Team.
- To engage with external stakeholders
Working for our organisation
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
See Job Description for further details.
Recruitment selection processes are based on competence (see Person specification) and values. An applicant guide to help and support you through your recruitment journey can be accessed at the bottom of this page.
If you have a disability that meets the definition set out in the Equality Act 2010, and you can show that you meet the ‘essential’ criteria described in the person specification for an available position, please answer ‘YES’ to the question: ‘Do you wish to be considered under the Guaranteed Interview Scheme?’
Please inform the team if you have any special support needs to be considered as part of the interview and selection processes.
The trust offers a Guaranteed Interview Scheme to any armed forces community applicants who meet the essential criteria for the post.
If a DBS is required for your role, you are encouraged to enrol for the DBS Update Service. A small annual fee applies which is payable to the DBS Service. Please note applicants will be required to pay for their DBS check. Costs will be deducted from their salary over the first three months of employment.
New entrants to the NHS will commence on the minimum of the scale stated above.
Applicants requiring sponsorship may wish to determine the likelihood of obtaining sponsorship for this position by assessing themselves against the criteria on the gov.uk website - https://www.gov.uk/check-uk-visa.
The Trust will not sponsor where the starting salary does not meet immigration rules
Applicants are advised to apply early as if a large number of applications are received for this post, we reserve the right to close the vacancy prior to the advertised date.
Good luck with your application.
Person specification
Qualification
Essential criteria
- NVQ Level 3 in Supply Chain or Procurement or CIPS Level 4 or the equivalent buying experience.
- Understanding of knowledge of Contract Law through short courses and experience or equivalent.
- Understanding / experience of Supervisory and Delegation skills
Desirable criteria
- A minimum of two years’ purchasing experience.
Knowledge and experience
Essential criteria
- Experience in the use of Microsoft Office applications – Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook.
- Must be able to meet pre-set schedules and deadlines, and deal with queries efficiently whilst working in a methodical manner, paying particular attention to accuracy
- Ability to work unsupervised on own initiative and be an effective team member
- To respond to unexpected changes and adopt a flexible attitude.
Desirable criteria
- Evidence of ongoing development
- Experience of a large multifunctional organisation.
Employer certification / accreditation badges
Documents to download
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Sue Donaldson
- Job title
- Head of Operational Procurement and Supplies
- Email address
- [email protected]
- Telephone number
- 01244 366698
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