Procurement Operations Manager

The Procurement Operations Manager is responsible for the effective day-to-day management of the assigned corporate procurement categories, ensuring contracts are well managed, compliant, and delivering measurable benefits to the Trust.

The role has direct responsibility for the development and performance of Assistant Category Business Partners and Buyers, supporting them to build capability, grow their contract portfolios, and consistently deliver value for money and other performance targets.

By owning BAU category activity and contract management, the postholder will enable Category Business Partners to focus on strategic sourcing, transformation, and complex commercial activity, while maintaining strong operational control of spend, suppliers, and contracts.

Main duties of the job

The role will hold a defined portfolio of contracts, for which the postholder is accountable for performance, risk management, benefits realisation and a responsibility to maximise value from the supply chain by developing and leading on strategic procurement and category management.

The post holder will identify and develop non-pay savings schemes & strategic sourcing plans across the Trust working closely with Category Business Partners, stakeholders and operational management to deliver these.

The post holder will contribute to the development and implementation of procurement strategies, policies and service improvement initiatives across the Trust. Working with senior stakeholders, they will identify opportunities to redesign processes, improve governance, enhance commercial outcomes and support wider organisational transformation programmes. The role will provide specialist procurement expertise and act as a change agent to embed best practice, innovation, sustainability and continuous improvement across assigned categories.

About us

Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is one of the largest NHS teaching trusts in the country. It provides a wide range of general and specialist clinical services and is a base for medical education, training and research. The Trust comprises four hospitals - the John Radcliffe Hospital, Churchill Hospital and Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre in Headington and the Horton General Hospital in Banbury. For more information on OUH please view OUH At a Glance by OUHospitals - Issuu

Our values, standards and behaviours define the quality of clinical care we offer and the professional relationships we make with our patients, colleagues and the wider community.

We call this Delivering Compassionate Excellence and its focus is on our values of compassion, respect, learning, delivery, improvement and excellence.

These values put patients at the heart of what we do and underpin the quality healthcare we would like for ourselves or a member of our family. Watch how we set out to deliver compassionate excellence via the OUH YouTube channel.

Details

Date posted

15 October 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 7

Salary

£49,387 to £56,515 a year

per annum pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time,

Flexible working

Reference number

321-CORP-8271590-B7

Job locations

OUH Cowley

Oxford

OX4 2PG

United Kingdom

Job responsibilities

Category Management

• Own the daytoday management of allocated corporate (nonclinical) categories.
• Manage a defined portfolio of contracts, ensuring performance, compliance, and value for money.
• Lead contract renewals, variations, and lowtomedium complexity sourcing activity.
• Monitor supplier performance and address issues relating to cost, quality, service, or risk.
• Ensure all procurement activity complies with public procurement regulations, Trust policies, and NHS standards.

People Management & Capability Development

• Line manage and support the development of Assistant Category Business Partners and a Buyers.
• Coach and mentor direct reports to grow their commercial skills, confidence, and contract portfolios.
• Set clear objectives linked to benefits delivery, contract ownership, and professional development.
• Actively identify opportunities for progression, stretch assignments, and skills development.

Benefits & Performance Delivery

• Ensure all contracts and category activity deliver quantifiable financial and nonfinancial benefits.
• Track savings, benefits and service improvements in line with Trust requirements.
• Conduct appropriate procurement process activities (e.g., FTS tendering, quotations, etc.) for allocated products and services in full accordance with current best practice, law, statutory guidance and environmental requirements.
• Use relevant internal and external reporting, information and management tools, including project management, contract management, spend analysis and benefits tracking tools.
• Identify opportunities to improve procurement processes, contract management arrangements and stakeholder engagement models, delivering measurable improvements in efficiency, value and customer experience.
• Support the development and implementation of service improvement initiatives within allocated categories, ensuring procurement activities support organisational transformation and strategic objectives.
• Analyse procurement, contract and performance data to identify trends, risks and opportunities, developing recommendations to improve service delivery and financial performance.
• Promote innovation and adoption of best practice procurement methodologies, working collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders.

Stakeholder & Supplier Engagement

• Act as a key procurement contact for stakeholders within allocated categories providing category advice and expertise.
• Build effective working relationships with internal customers to support service needs.
• Engage with suppliers to support performance management, continuous improvement, and innovation.
• Contract Management do it and support ACBP to do it
• Be able to develop networks and communicate appropriately with stakeholders and key communication links which may include:

Governance & Compliance

• Contribute to the development, review and implementation of Trust procurement policies, procedures and guidance documents, ensuring alignment with current legislation, NHS requirements and organisational priorities.
• Provide specialist advice to managers and stakeholders on the interpretation and application of procurement policies, Standing Financial Instructions, Standing Orders and relevant procurement regulations.
• Support the development of standard operating procedures, templates and governance frameworks that improve consistency, compliance and organisational effectiveness. Adopt responsibility for formalising and documenting the above in the procurement handbook

Job responsibilities

Category Management

• Own the daytoday management of allocated corporate (nonclinical) categories.
• Manage a defined portfolio of contracts, ensuring performance, compliance, and value for money.
• Lead contract renewals, variations, and lowtomedium complexity sourcing activity.
• Monitor supplier performance and address issues relating to cost, quality, service, or risk.
• Ensure all procurement activity complies with public procurement regulations, Trust policies, and NHS standards.

People Management & Capability Development

• Line manage and support the development of Assistant Category Business Partners and a Buyers.
• Coach and mentor direct reports to grow their commercial skills, confidence, and contract portfolios.
• Set clear objectives linked to benefits delivery, contract ownership, and professional development.
• Actively identify opportunities for progression, stretch assignments, and skills development.

Benefits & Performance Delivery

• Ensure all contracts and category activity deliver quantifiable financial and nonfinancial benefits.
• Track savings, benefits and service improvements in line with Trust requirements.
• Conduct appropriate procurement process activities (e.g., FTS tendering, quotations, etc.) for allocated products and services in full accordance with current best practice, law, statutory guidance and environmental requirements.
• Use relevant internal and external reporting, information and management tools, including project management, contract management, spend analysis and benefits tracking tools.
• Identify opportunities to improve procurement processes, contract management arrangements and stakeholder engagement models, delivering measurable improvements in efficiency, value and customer experience.
• Support the development and implementation of service improvement initiatives within allocated categories, ensuring procurement activities support organisational transformation and strategic objectives.
• Analyse procurement, contract and performance data to identify trends, risks and opportunities, developing recommendations to improve service delivery and financial performance.
• Promote innovation and adoption of best practice procurement methodologies, working collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders.

Stakeholder & Supplier Engagement

• Act as a key procurement contact for stakeholders within allocated categories providing category advice and expertise.
• Build effective working relationships with internal customers to support service needs.
• Engage with suppliers to support performance management, continuous improvement, and innovation.
• Contract Management do it and support ACBP to do it
• Be able to develop networks and communicate appropriately with stakeholders and key communication links which may include:

Governance & Compliance

• Contribute to the development, review and implementation of Trust procurement policies, procedures and guidance documents, ensuring alignment with current legislation, NHS requirements and organisational priorities.
• Provide specialist advice to managers and stakeholders on the interpretation and application of procurement policies, Standing Financial Instructions, Standing Orders and relevant procurement regulations.
• Support the development of standard operating procedures, templates and governance frameworks that improve consistency, compliance and organisational effectiveness. Adopt responsibility for formalising and documenting the above in the procurement handbook

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Degree level education or equivalent
• Recognised continuing personal/career development at an advanced level
• Evidence of highly developed specialist knowledge underpinned by theory and experience.
• Management skills and knowledge acquired through training and experience.

Desirable

• Prince2 or other recognised project management qualification
• Member of Chartered Institute of Purchasing & Supply (or equivalent relevant experience)
• Member of category specific professional body
• Personal/career development to Masters level or equivalent.

Experience & Skills

Essential

• oExperience of managing complex procurement projects including business case, options appraisal, tender documentation, tender evaluation and contract award processes.
• oKnowledge of Category Management techniques and experience of the development and implementation of category management plans and processes across significant categories of expenditure.
• oStrong understanding of unlocking value from procurement & supply chain, such as sourcing, tendering, demand management, standardisation and contract management.
• oExperience in Supplier Relationship Management, including supplier performance, continuous improvement and innovation .
• oExperience of consistently delivering savings and benefits targets.
• oExcellent numeracy skills and the ability to analyse and interpret spend data and undertake market analysis.
• oMeets tight deadlines in a fast, dynamic environment with consistently high levels of performance
• oStrong Commercial acumen within procurement with proven negotiation skills.
• oExperience of contributing to a developing service improvement, transformation or business change initiatives.
• oExperience of developing, implementing or reviewing policies, procedures or governance frameworks.
• oDemonstrable ability to influence organisational practice beyond own area of responsibility.

Desirable

• oPreviously worked within an NHS Procurement Function
• oKnowledge of Trust SO/SFIs & NHS finances
• oExperience of managing outsourcing and outsourced contracts
• oExperience of people management, coaching, mentoring supporting and developing staff.oExperience of people management, coaching, mentoring supporting and developing staff.
• oStrong knowledge of the NHS/Public Sector, of public sector procurement rules, NHS terms and conditions & contract law.

IT Skills

Essential

• oGood knowledge of Microsoft Office software, particularly Microsoft Excel and Power BI
• oExperience of using specialist e-procurement tools including e-tendering, e-sourcing and reverse auctions.

Organisational & Planning

Essential

• oAbility to plan and develop complex projects in short, medium and long term with appropriate detail.
• oGood organisational and administrative skills, and an ability to prioritise work and meet deadlines.
• oAbility to deliver accurate information in a timely manner.
• oDriven to self-manage and perform within a challenging, complex, and busy healthcare environment.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Degree level education or equivalent
• Recognised continuing personal/career development at an advanced level
• Evidence of highly developed specialist knowledge underpinned by theory and experience.
• Management skills and knowledge acquired through training and experience.

Desirable

• Prince2 or other recognised project management qualification
• Member of Chartered Institute of Purchasing & Supply (or equivalent relevant experience)
• Member of category specific professional body
• Personal/career development to Masters level or equivalent.

Experience & Skills

Essential

• oExperience of managing complex procurement projects including business case, options appraisal, tender documentation, tender evaluation and contract award processes.
• oKnowledge of Category Management techniques and experience of the development and implementation of category management plans and processes across significant categories of expenditure.
• oStrong understanding of unlocking value from procurement & supply chain, such as sourcing, tendering, demand management, standardisation and contract management.
• oExperience in Supplier Relationship Management, including supplier performance, continuous improvement and innovation .
• oExperience of consistently delivering savings and benefits targets.
• oExcellent numeracy skills and the ability to analyse and interpret spend data and undertake market analysis.
• oMeets tight deadlines in a fast, dynamic environment with consistently high levels of performance
• oStrong Commercial acumen within procurement with proven negotiation skills.
• oExperience of contributing to a developing service improvement, transformation or business change initiatives.
• oExperience of developing, implementing or reviewing policies, procedures or governance frameworks.
• oDemonstrable ability to influence organisational practice beyond own area of responsibility.

Desirable

• oPreviously worked within an NHS Procurement Function
• oKnowledge of Trust SO/SFIs & NHS finances
• oExperience of managing outsourcing and outsourced contracts
• oExperience of people management, coaching, mentoring supporting and developing staff.oExperience of people management, coaching, mentoring supporting and developing staff.
• oStrong knowledge of the NHS/Public Sector, of public sector procurement rules, NHS terms and conditions & contract law.

IT Skills

Essential

• oGood knowledge of Microsoft Office software, particularly Microsoft Excel and Power BI
• oExperience of using specialist e-procurement tools including e-tendering, e-sourcing and reverse auctions.

Organisational & Planning

Essential

• oAbility to plan and develop complex projects in short, medium and long term with appropriate detail.
• oGood organisational and administrative skills, and an ability to prioritise work and meet deadlines.
• oAbility to deliver accurate information in a timely manner.
• oDriven to self-manage and perform within a challenging, complex, and busy healthcare environment.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Additional information

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Employer details

Employer name

Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Address

OUH Cowley

Oxford

OX4 2PG

United Kingdom

Employer's website

https://www.ouh.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Address

OUH Cowley

Oxford

OX4 2PG

United Kingdom

Employer's website

https://www.ouh.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Job responsibilities

Category Management

• Own the daytoday management of allocated corporate (nonclinical) categories.
• Manage a defined portfolio of contracts, ensuring performance, compliance, and value for money.
• Lead contract renewals, variations, and lowtomedium complexity sourcing activity.
• Monitor supplier performance and address issues relating to cost, quality, service, or risk.
• Ensure all procurement activity complies with public procurement regulations, Trust policies, and NHS standards.

People Management & Capability Development

• Line manage and support the development of Assistant Category Business Partners and a Buyers.
• Coach and mentor direct reports to grow their commercial skills, confidence, and contract portfolios.
• Set clear objectives linked to benefits delivery, contract ownership, and professional development.
• Actively identify opportunities for progression, stretch assignments, and skills development.

Benefits & Performance Delivery

• Ensure all contracts and category activity deliver quantifiable financial and nonfinancial benefits.
• Track savings, benefits and service improvements in line with Trust requirements.
• Conduct appropriate procurement process activities (e.g., FTS tendering, quotations, etc.) for allocated products and services in full accordance with current best practice, law, statutory guidance and environmental requirements.
• Use relevant internal and external reporting, information and management tools, including project management, contract management, spend analysis and benefits tracking tools.
• Identify opportunities to improve procurement processes, contract management arrangements and stakeholder engagement models, delivering measurable improvements in efficiency, value and customer experience.
• Support the development and implementation of service improvement initiatives within allocated categories, ensuring procurement activities support organisational transformation and strategic objectives.
• Analyse procurement, contract and performance data to identify trends, risks and opportunities, developing recommendations to improve service delivery and financial performance.
• Promote innovation and adoption of best practice procurement methodologies, working collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders.

Stakeholder & Supplier Engagement

• Act as a key procurement contact for stakeholders within allocated categories providing category advice and expertise.
• Build effective working relationships with internal customers to support service needs.
• Engage with suppliers to support performance management, continuous improvement, and innovation.
• Contract Management do it and support ACBP to do it
• Be able to develop networks and communicate appropriately with stakeholders and key communication links which may include:

Governance & Compliance

• Contribute to the development, review and implementation of Trust procurement policies, procedures and guidance documents, ensuring alignment with current legislation, NHS requirements and organisational priorities.
• Provide specialist advice to managers and stakeholders on the interpretation and application of procurement policies, Standing Financial Instructions, Standing Orders and relevant procurement regulations.
• Support the development of standard operating procedures, templates and governance frameworks that improve consistency, compliance and organisational effectiveness. Adopt responsibility for formalising and documenting the above in the procurement handbook

Qualifications

Essential

• Degree level education or equivalent
• Recognised continuing personal/career development at an advanced level
• Evidence of highly developed specialist knowledge underpinned by theory and experience.
• Management skills and knowledge acquired through training and experience.

Desirable

• Prince2 or other recognised project management qualification
• Member of Chartered Institute of Purchasing & Supply (or equivalent relevant experience)
• Member of category specific professional body
• Personal/career development to Masters level or equivalent.

Experience & Skills

Essential

• oExperience of managing complex procurement projects including business case, options appraisal, tender documentation, tender evaluation and contract award processes.
• oKnowledge of Category Management techniques and experience of the development and implementation of category management plans and processes across significant categories of expenditure.
• oStrong understanding of unlocking value from procurement & supply chain, such as sourcing, tendering, demand management, standardisation and contract management.
• oExperience in Supplier Relationship Management, including supplier performance, continuous improvement and innovation .
• oExperience of consistently delivering savings and benefits targets.
• oExcellent numeracy skills and the ability to analyse and interpret spend data and undertake market analysis.
• oMeets tight deadlines in a fast, dynamic environment with consistently high levels of performance
• oStrong Commercial acumen within procurement with proven negotiation skills.
• oExperience of contributing to a developing service improvement, transformation or business change initiatives.
• oExperience of developing, implementing or reviewing policies, procedures or governance frameworks.
• oDemonstrable ability to influence organisational practice beyond own area of responsibility.

Desirable

• oPreviously worked within an NHS Procurement Function
• oKnowledge of Trust SO/SFIs & NHS finances
• oExperience of managing outsourcing and outsourced contracts
• oExperience of people management, coaching, mentoring supporting and developing staff.oExperience of people management, coaching, mentoring supporting and developing staff.
• oStrong knowledge of the NHS/Public Sector, of public sector procurement rules, NHS terms and conditions & contract law.

IT Skills

Essential

• oGood knowledge of Microsoft Office software, particularly Microsoft Excel and Power BI
• oExperience of using specialist e-procurement tools including e-tendering, e-sourcing and reverse auctions.

Organisational & Planning

Essential

• oAbility to plan and develop complex projects in short, medium and long term with appropriate detail.
• oGood organisational and administrative skills, and an ability to prioritise work and meet deadlines.
• oAbility to deliver accurate information in a timely manner.
• oDriven to self-manage and perform within a challenging, complex, and busy healthcare environment.