Job vacancy: Category Specialist, Kettering General Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Kettering

Job summary

Main area: Procurement
Grade: Band 7
Contract: Permanent
Hours: Full time - 37.5 hours per week (Monday - Friday)
Job ref: 264-7394857-COR-A

Employer: Kettering General Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Employer type: NHS
Site: Kettering General Hospital
Town: Kettering
Salary: £47,810 - £54,710 Per Annum
Salary period: Yearly
Closing: 15/09/2025 23:59

Category Specialist

Band 7

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Please see attached Job Description and Person Specification for a detailed overview of the job role.

Person specification

Training and Education

Essential criteria

Educated to masters level or equivalent level of education, training or experience
MCIPS qualified, or equivalent, or have relevant experience in senior procurement role
Demonstrate evidence of continuing professional development

Knowledge and Experience

Essential criteria

Extensive experience in relation to Procurement activity
Robust knowledge of Contract Law, EU Directives and purchasing procedures.
Can independently run competitive tender (including mini competitions), and Find a Tender procurements compliantly from start to finish – with substantial and demonstrable examples of a variety of these
Computer literate with detailed knowledge of standard computer packages e.g Microsoft Office, Internet browsing and ordering systems.
Substantial and demonstrable experience in a specific category area, clearly showing specialist knowledge in category area and ability to apply own judgement
Sound understanding and knowledge in aiding implementation of procurement processes
At least 5 years’ experience in procurement

Desirable criteria

Experience of working within the NHS and an understanding of current issues
Sound understanding and experience in the application of computerised purchasing systems and the concept of e-commerce.

Skills

Essential criteria

Excellent numerate, analytical and reasoning skills.
Ability to understand and influence complex purchase to pay networks
Ability to retrieve and interpret highly complex data as a basis for determining strategies and policies and how these should be applied to determine required procurement routes
Ability to plan and deliver a number of concurrent complex and time-critical projects, prioritizing work to achieve deadlines
Ability to lead, persuade and influence colleagues and service users including clinicians, senior managers and directors
Ability to formulate, implement and review strategies, policies, work plans and performance measures.
Ability to prioritize workload of self and team members

Key Competencies/ Personal Qualities & Attributes

Essential criteria

Able to demonstrate a commitment and understandingof the importance of treating all individuals with dignity and respect appropriate to their individual needs.
Ability to operate in a multi-disciplinary environment and to develop effective internal and external relationships at all levels including director level
Ability to travel between the Kettering and Northampton Hospital sites and other sites across the Group (where postholders are required to travel as part of their role).

Important Information

Applications will be transferred to TRAC system, by completing an application your are giving authorisation for the transfer of your data.

Correspondence regarding your application will be sent to you via a TRAC system account.

We are an equal opportunities employer, which aims to employ a workforce that reflects the diverse communities we serve. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons from all backgrounds.

We welcome applications from members of our black and minority ethnic (BME) communities, especially in relation to senior posts within at KGH.

Applicants who have a disability and meet the essential criteria for the job will be interviewed if you indicate you wish to be considered under the Guaranteed Interview Scheme. If you require a reasonable adjustment at any stage of the recruitment process please make the recruitment services team aware as soon as possible.

Appointments will be made on merit.

In submitting an application form, you authorise Kettering General Hospital (KGH) NHS Foundation Trust to confirm any previous NHS service details via the Electronic Staff Record (ESR) Inter Authority Transfer (IAT) process. Including factual reference, occupational health clearance and statutory and mandatory training record.

If you need to have a Disclosure Barring Service (DBS) check, as a requirement of the role, you will be required to repay the cost of obtaining a DBS check (£49.50) and this amount will be reclaimed from your first salary. From 1st February 2019 all new starters to the Trust are required to join the DBS update service as per Trust DBS Re-checking Policy which has an annual cost of £16. New employees who do not join the update service will be required to pay £49.50 for a new DBS check in 3 years time.

Please note that news starters with KGH are subject to a six month probationary period.

Please ensure that the information you provide on your application form is correct, accurate and that nothing has been omitted. Any information that is stated in your application form in relation to qualifications/training courses/work/education experience/references must be able to be evidenced. Failure to do so may result if your offer being withdrawn.

"Safeguarding is everyone's business. KGH considers Safeguarding a priority amongst its citizen's and a key value for all employed to the service."

We want to recruit the best people to deliver our services across the University Hospitals of Northamptonshire and help to unleash everyone’s full potential. As an organisation, we value how we communicate and promote our vacancies to all communities. The Hospital Group encourages applications from people who identify from all protected groups, especially those from BAME, Disabled and LGBTQ+ backgrounds as these are underrepresented in our hospitals. We understand that we need to work with colleagues from diverse backgrounds and make sure the environment they work in is inclusive and collaborative. We have active Networks that promote and support colleagues from all backgrounds. This ensures everyone feels supported and has a sense of belonging working for Kettering and Northampton General Hospitals.