Job summary
- Main area
- Procurement
- Grade
- Band 5
- Contract
- Permanent
- Hours
- Full time
- Part time
- Flexible working
- Job ref
- 264-8175033-COR
- Employer
- Kettering General Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- University Hospitals of Northamptonshire
- Town
- Kettering
- Salary
- £32,073 - £39,043 Per Annum pro rata
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Closing
- 04/11/2026 23:59
Employer heading
Category Assistant
Band 5
Job overview
This is an exciting opportunity to join the Procurement team across University Hospitals of Northamptonshire NHS Group as a Category Assistant, with a key focus on supporting the Digital category area.
Working as part of a supportive and ambitious team, you will help deliver high-quality, compliant procurement activity that supports digital services and wider operational needs across both Kettering General Hospital and Northampton General Hospital, in line with public procurement regulations. The role offers variety, development and the opportunity to contribute to value for money, savings and service improvement across the Group, with flexible working arrangements and a base that can be agreed between KGH and NGH to support both service needs and the successful applicant.
Main duties of the job
The post holder will support the delivery of procurement and contract management activity within the Digital category area across University Hospitals of Northamptonshire NHS Group. Working closely with the Category Specialists, Category Manager and wider procurement team, the role will involve supporting procurement projects from planning through to contract award, helping to develop specifications, tender and quotation documents, analyse supplier responses, undertake market and product research, and contribute to savings and value-for-money opportunities, creating fit for purpose contracts in line with pubic procurement legislation and Trust Standing Financial Instructions. The post holder will also work with stakeholders, suppliers and colleagues across both KGH, NGH and the wider NHS, to support compliant procurement processes, effective contract management and the delivery of high-quality digital goods and services that meet the needs of the Group.
Working for our organisation
Please submit your application as soon as possible, as we reserve the right to close adverts once sufficient applications have been received.
We recognise that AI tools can support application writing; however, candidates are asked to keep their use to a minimum. Responses should reflect your own experience, skills and knowledge, as over-reliance on AI-generated content may result in generic answers that do not accurately represent your abilities.
University Hospitals of Northamptonshire (UHN) brings together Kettering General Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and Northampton General Hospital NHS Trust. As a group, we are committed to improving services for our communities through collaboration, modernising care delivery and striving for excellence. Working together enables us to share expertise, strengthen services and create greater opportunities, and there may be a requirement to work across sites depending on service needs.
Our Excellence Values are Compassion, Accountability, Respect, Integrity and Courage. UHN welcomes applications from all backgrounds and is committed to an inclusive working environment. We are proud signatories of the Armed Forces Covenant and hold the Gold Award under the Employer Recognition Scheme. Candidates who identify as members of the Armed Forces community and meet the essential criteria will be guaranteed an interview.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
The post holder will support the delivery of a portfolio of procurement projects within the Digital category area across University Hospitals of Northamptonshire NHS Group. This will include assisting with the planning and delivery of compliant procurement processes, supporting capital and revenue projects, developing specifications, quotation and tender documents, analysing supplier responses and contributing to contract award recommendations.
Working with the Category Specialists, Category Manager, and wider procurement team, the post holder will help identify appropriate procurement routes, undertake market, supplier and product research, support evaluation processes and contribute to the delivery of value for money, savings and service improvements. The role will also involve supporting contract implementation and monitoring, resolving supplier and contract queries, assisting with invoice discrepancies and helping to ensure suppliers comply with agreed terms and conditions.
The post holder will develop effective relationships with stakeholders, suppliers and colleagues across KGH, NGH and the wider NHS supporting collaborative working across the Group and wider NHS where appropriate. They will be expected to work professionally and ethically, in line with Trust Standing Financial Instructions, Standing Orders, procurement legislation and internal governance requirements. The role supports distributed and flexible working arrangements, although travel between Kettering General Hospital, Northampton General Hospital and other Group sites may be required depending on business needs.
Person specification
Education, Training & Qualifications
Essential criteria
- Educated to degree level or equivalent level of education, training or experience
- Working towards CIPS NVQ Level 4 or above, or have appropriate level of experience
- Evidence of continual professional development
Desirable criteria
- Full membership of CIPS
Knowledge & Experience
Essential criteria
- Demonstrable and significant experience within a specific category management area
- Experience of procurement projects including ongoing revenue and capital projects
- Evaluation and management of clinical and non-clinical products/service selection processes
- Independent ability to produce specifications, quotations, tenders, evaluation criteria, in accordance with UK legislation, Trust Standing Financial Instructions and Standing Orders
- Proven track record of independently carrying out full competitive tenders (including mini competitions) – evidence of a significant number of full competitions carried out for different products/services
- Proven track record of contract management with demonstrable evidence of this covering different contracts
- Good communication skills with ability to disseminate essential and complex information to multidisciplinary groups.
- Computer literate with detailed knowledge of standard computer packages e.g. Microsoft Office, Internet scheduling and ordering systems.
- Good verbal and written skills (including report writing)
- Supply market dynamics analysis.
- Some commercial knowledge and idea of different approaches.
- Current knowledge of EU, SFI’s, SO’s and procurement directives and legislation
- Current knowledge of contract law, contracting and purchasing legislation (including EU procurement)
- Experience of working within, and leading an operational procurement team
Desirable criteria
- Experience in a senior healthcare purchasing position.
- Negotiation and financial adjudication of complex high value contracts.
Skills
Essential criteria
- Advanced keyboard skills for document writing and complex spreadsheet work
- Ability to analyse information, interpret and/or present in a clear, comprehensive format for multi disciplinary audience
- Ability to work proactively with the ability to work on own initiative
- Ability to manage own time effectively
- Ability to maintain confidentiality to the highest degree
- Ability to influence others and gain credibility, in a clinical and management environment
- Strong interpersonal skills
- Prioritisation skills which include the ability to be methodical, numerate, a good problem solver, motivated, influential, assertive with tact and diplomacy
- Ability to meet tight deadlines and targets
- Methodical with attention to detail
- Ability to work under pressure with a high level of concentration
- Ability to lead teams and facilitate meetings
Desirable criteria
- Ability to project manage effectively
Key Competencies/ Personal Qualities & Attributes
Essential criteria
- Passionate and committed to bring our Dedicated to Excellence values to life, improving the way we work with each other, particularly focusing on empowerment, equality diversity and inclusion of our staff, patients and service users
- Able to demonstrate a commitment and understanding of 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).
Employer certification / accreditation badges
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Applicant requirements
The postholder will have access to vulnerable people in the course of their normal duties and as such this post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Application numbers
This vacancy may close early if it receives a high number of applications. Please complete and submit your application in good time to avoid disappointment.
Documents to download
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Rachel Pell
- Job title
- Deputy Head of Procurement
- Email address
- [email protected]
If you have problems applying, contact
- Address
-
University Hospitals of Northamptonshire
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