Job requirements
Essential
33 listedRequirements the employer expects applicants to meet.
- Skills
Advanced keyboard skills for document writing and complex spreadsheet work
- Skills
Ability to analyse information, interpret and/or present in a clear, comprehensive format for multi disciplinary audience
- Skills
Ability to work proactively with the ability to work on own initiative
- Skills
Ability to manage own time effectively
- Skills
Ability to maintain confidentiality to the highest degree
- Skills
Ability to influence others and gain credibility, in a clinical and management environment
- Skills
Strong interpersonal skills
- Skills
Prioritisation skills which include the ability to be methodical, numerate, a good problem solver, motivated, influential, assertive with tact and diplomacy
- Skills
Ability to meet tight deadlines and targets
- Skills
Methodical with attention to detail
- Skills
Ability to work under pressure with a high level of concentration
- Skills
Ability to lead teams and facilitate meetings
- Knowledge & Experience
Demonstrable and significant experience within a specific category management area
- Knowledge & Experience
Experience of procurement projects including ongoing revenue and capital projects
- Knowledge & Experience
Evaluation and management of clinical and non-clinical products/service selection processes
- Knowledge & Experience
Independent ability to produce specifications, quotations, tenders, evaluation criteria, in accordance with UK legislation, Trust Standing Financial Instructions and Standing Orders
- Knowledge & Experience
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
- Knowledge & Experience
Proven track record of contract management with demonstrable evidence of this covering different contracts
- Knowledge & Experience
Good communication skills with ability to disseminate essential and complex information to multidisciplinary groups.
- Knowledge & Experience
Computer literate with detailed knowledge of standard computer packages e.g. Microsoft Office, Internet scheduling and ordering systems.
- Knowledge & Experience
Good verbal and written skills (including report writing)
- Knowledge & Experience
Supply market dynamics analysis.
- Knowledge & Experience
Some commercial knowledge and idea of different approaches.
- Knowledge & Experience
Current knowledge of EU, SFI’s, SO’s and procurement directives and legislation
- Knowledge & Experience
Current knowledge of contract law, contracting and purchasing legislation (including EU procurement)
- Knowledge & Experience
Experience of working within, and leading an operational procurement team
- Education, Training & Qualifications
Educated to degree level or equivalent level of education, training or experience
- Education, Training & Qualifications
Working towards CIPS NVQ Level 4 or above, or have appropriate level of experience
- Education, Training & Qualifications
Evidence of continual professional development
- Key Competencies/ Personal Qualities & Attributes
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
- Key Competencies/ Personal Qualities & Attributes
Able to demonstrate a commitment and understanding of the importance of treating all individuals with dignity and respect appropriate to their individual needs.
- Key Competencies/ Personal Qualities & Attributes
Ability to operate in a multi-disciplinary environment and to develop effective internal and external relationships at all levels including director level.
- Key Competencies/ Personal Qualities & Attributes
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).
Desirable
4 listedAdditional qualities the employer would prefer.
- Skills
Ability to project manage effectively
- Knowledge & Experience
Experience in a senior healthcare purchasing position.
- Knowledge & Experience
Negotiation and financial adjudication of complex high value contracts.
- Education, Training & Qualifications
Full membership of CIPS
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.
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.
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.
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Applying for this NHS job
This advert is for Category Assistant with Kettering General Hospital NHS Foundation Trust in Kettering, England. It is listed as a Band 5 Assistant role. The advertised salary is £32,073 - £39,043 Per Annum pro rata. The contract type is Permanent. The application deadline is 04 Nov 2026.
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