Specialist Category Manager (Imaging Network)

Grade: 8

Base: Surrey Research Park, Guildford

Department: Procurement

Hours: 37.5 hours per week

Reports to: Associate Director of Procurement

Accountable for: Large-scale procurement projects across the Imaging Network

Job Purpose

The Specialist Category Manager will lead strategic and complex procurement activity across the Imaging Network, covering diagnostic imaging equipment, managed equipment services, consumables, contrast media, maintenance, digital imaging solutions and associated clinical services.

The postholder will develop and deliver category strategies that support clinical and operational priorities, achieve value for money, reduce risk, improve service quality and enable innovation across partner organisations.

The role will lead high-value revenue and capital procurements in accordance with applicable UK procurement legislation, including the Procurement Act 2023 and Provider Selection Regime where relevant, alongside organisational policies and Standing Financial Instructions.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead complex, high-value procurement projects from strategy and business case through to tender, evaluation,awardand implementation.
• Develop and implement Imaging category strategies aligned with clinical, operational, financial and transformation priorities.
• Identifyopportunities for cost savings, efficiency, service improvement, riskreductionand innovation.
• Lead commercial negotiations andprovideexpert advice on contracts, terms, incentives,variationsand remedies.
• Ensure procurement activity is compliant with legislation,policiesand governance requirements.
• Apply whole-life costing and robust financial and non-financial evaluation to achieve best value.
• Develop and manage supplier performance frameworks, KPIs and contract compliance arrangements.
• Lead contract lifecycle management, including renewals, modifications, performancemanagementand enforcement.
• Analyse procurement and spend data toidentifysavings, efficiencies and cost pressures, and report benefits achieved.
• Manage supplier relationships andmaintainstrong market intelligence across imaging technologies and services.
• Work closely with clinical, operational, finance, medical physics, infectioncontroland other stakeholders to translate service requirements into effective procurement solutions.
• Lead equipment trials and evaluations, ensuringappropriate safety, governance,indemnityand infection-control requirements are met.
• Prepare reports and recommendations for senior procurement leadership, the Imaging Network Board and Trust Boards.
• Identifyand manage commercial, operational and supplier risks.
• Support collaborative procurement opportunities with NHS, public-sector and other partner organisations.
• Contribute to the annual procurement workplan and Cost Improvement Programme.
• Provide guidance, coaching and support to procurement colleagues and lead the development of the team.

Key Working Relationships

• The role will work closely with senior clinical and operational leaders, finance, medical physics, procurement colleagues, executive management, suppliers and external partners, including NHS and public-sector organisations,universitiesand professional bodies.

People Management

• Provide effective leadership, coaching,mentoringand development to procurement staff.
• Setobjectives,monitorperformanceand support professional development.
• Maintain current technical and professional procurement knowledge.

Governance and Professional Responsibilities

• The postholder is expected to:
• Maintain confidentiality andcomply withdata protection requirements.
• Comply withNHS and organisational standards of business conduct, procurementpoliciesand relevant legislation.
• Promote equality, diversity,dignityand respect.
• Follow health and safety, safeguarding and risk-management requirements.
• Work with integrity,transparencyand accountability.
• Support the organisation's commitment to patient-centred collaboration,innovationand excellence.
• This job description provides an outline of the role and may be amended to reflect changing organisational and service requirements.