Job overview

At NHS Commercial Solutions (NHSCS), making a real impact matters to us. If you are driven and keen to contribute to meaningful progress within the NHS, this role could be ideal for you.

We are seeking an Associate Procurement Director to join our team on a six-month fixed-term contract.

This is an exciting opportunity to provide strategic leadership, oversee programme and project delivery, and manage procurement and consultancy initiatives across multiple categories. The key objective is to enhance value and quality outcomes for our member trusts and customers while helping to generate income for NHSCS.

This senior strategic role will play a crucial part in delivering projects, frameworks, and call-off procurements for customers, driving value across the NHS and wider public sector.

You will engage extensively with our member NHS organisations, as well as with a wide range of other public sector customers—including Local Authorities, Housing Associations, and other public bodies—at local, regional, and national levels.

We are looking for a highly motivated and enthusiastic individual who wants to make a positive difference within the NHS. The successful candidate will demonstrate strong interpersonal skills and have substantial senior-level commercial and procurement experience. They will bring excellent communication abilities, a people-focused approach, and well-rounded commercial acumen.

Main duties of the job

This is a strategic position spanning multiple categories and consultancy services, focused on developing long-term procurement strategies, policies, work plans, and business cases for both internal and external stakeholders. You will act as the principal authority on all procurement matters and provide leadership on UK and European procurement regulations.

This role is ideally suited to someone who is commercially astute, driven, and capable of delivering inspirational leadership. You will work with significant autonomy, support and develop others to reach their potential, maintain a strong customer focus, and play an active role within NHS Commercial Solutions and on behalf of its member trusts.  You may be expected to meet and visit our members and customers across the NHS south east region. 

Working for our organisation

NHS Commercial Solutions is a collaborative procurement organisation providing strategic procurement services to NHS organisations across the south east region within Kent, Hampshire, Surrey, Sussex, Oxfordshire and further afield. Since its inception in 2007, NHSCS has delivered tangible financial and qualitative benefits (to deliver cash releasing savings, cost reduction and improved quality performance) in excess of £300 million by working in partnership with NHS trusts and with multiple stakeholders across a wide range of categories.

We are hosted by Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, a mental health trust in Surrey.

Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust is the leading provider of mental health, learning disability, neurodevelopmental and drug and alcohol services in Surrey and North East Hampshire. We support people of all ages and are passionate about providing high quality care that is delivered at the right time as close to home as possible to help people recover and stay well.

Please note that we reserve the right to close posts as soon as sufficient applications are received.

Regrettably, due to UK Home Office requirements we cannot offer sponsorship for all our job roles.

Applicants must have the right to work in the UK for the duration of the role.

We look forward to receiving your application!