Director of Supply Chain

Job overview

Are you a senior Supply Chain Leader looking for an opportunity to join one of the largest Supply Chain functions in the NHS.  As a member of the Senior Leadership Team, you will have a key role in the development and implementation of the new Procurement and Supply Chain operating model and Patient Centric Supply Chain strategy across Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation and the ‘Smart Together’ Shared Service*.

Our Transformation Programme is well underway and we are now seeking a forward-thinking, innovative strategic supply chain expert to lead our large, complex supply chain function.  The service includes, multiple site Materials Management, Inventory Management, and Receipt and Distribution functions.  Offsite, there are warehousing and consolidation capabilities as well as transport functions and an opportunity to consider further integrated logistics.

Main duties of the job

Reporting to the Chief Procurement Officer, you will be a member of the Senior Leadership Team, engaging with multi-functional teams across Guy’s and St Thomas’, as well as with shared service members.  From the most senior clinical and non-clinical colleagues through to providing support and direction to our up and coming colleagues, you will be adept at working across all levels.  You will also work closely with external stakeholders, such as, suppliers, professional associations, advisory boards, NHS England and other NHS organisations and partners to provide a forward-thinking, resilient and cohesive supply chain service that is integral to supporting the Trusts' to deliver patient care.

The Director of Supply Chain is the most senior position within the Supply Chain function, leading a team of c.120 individuals to deliver on our ambition of a Patient Centric Supply Chain to all areas of GSTT and the Shared Service.  Providing specialist, expert support to enable the clinicians and front-line staff to deliver the highest possible quality of patient care.

You will strive to deliver best practice, utilising advancements in technology, data and information, unpinned by the rigour of clearly documented processes and procedures, including, the department Business Continuity Plan, and the Supply Resilience Strategy. You will lead on the optimisation of our Patient Centric Supply Chain strategy and ensure we operate a culture of continuous improvement and high standards.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

A full Job Description and Personal Specification can also be downloaded.

Professional Leadership and Direction

• To lead, manage and develop a highly complex and extensive operational Supply Chain service across all GSTT and Shared Service sites, on-site, this includes Materials Management, Stock Management and Receipt and Distribution functions, and, off-site the warehousing and transport function.
• To lead with compassionate leadership that promotes care and growth of team members, building trust and ensuring accountability is present throughout a multidisciplinary workforce.
• To communicate effectively with all staff levels, from the senior members of the Trust Board to junior staff in support functions, undertake presentations to staff groups and managers and deal with the wider business community, other NHS Trusts and members of the public.
• Create strategic alliances and partnerships with external organisations to enhance the delivery of services.
• Promote the Trust through attendance at relevant professional Supply Chain forums, working groups, and industry advisory boards.
• Provide pro-active direction and leadership to the GSTT’s Procurement Shared Service Trust Boards regarding all supply chain matters including guidance on strategies for enhancing opportunities to achieve value for money and to improve the performance of the service.
• To be visible and proactive in supporting front line staff, maintaining clinical service credibility and commanding respect of the professional and managerial workforce.
• Manage highly complex, sensitive situations that require a high level of decision making and be able to command the authority and respect of the clinical and managerial workforce.
• Provide professional leadership as appropriate across GSTT’s Procurement Shared Service – both for local services and regional networks across London and the South East.
• Building trust-based supportive relationships with stakeholders across and beyond the Trust and our Shared Service Partners. Developing and agreeing SLA and KPIs with all customer areas aligning with organisational aims of providing high quality patient care.
• The development and implementation of supply chain policy, processes and procedures to ensure good practice, efficient and effective workflows, utilising SMART operational metrics and performance reporting, including governance, compliance and assurance.
• To professionalise the supply chain teams, fostering a positive, customer-focused team culture and growth mindset.
• Development and maintenance of supply chain risk assessment, management and mitigation approach, enhancing resilience and performance.
• Leads the development and management of the supply chain function’s business continuity and disaster recovery plan and procedures, ensuring regular knowledge sharing and plan testing is carried out.
• To explore and exploit opportunities for collaborative working internally and externally, and pro-actively network with key current and future suppliers, professional bodies and local, regional and national supply chain colleagues.
• Manages a complex inbound supply chain, including a large off-site consolidation centre to ensure optimised and efficient use of these assets to support in-hospital logistics and patient care.

Operational and Financial Management

• The management of relevant pay and non-pay expenditure for the supply chain function, including, the identification and management of associated risks and the development and delivery of operational and financial improvements to supply chain service operations.
• To contribute as a member of the Procurement and Supply Chain Senior Management Team to the development of the functions strategic and annual planning process, setting robust objectives and resource plans in relation to service quality, health and safety, operational and financial performance.
• To provide specialist knowledge, support and guidance to the Chief Finance Officer and Finance Directors of the Shared Service to deliver the objectives of Finance Directorate / Trust, as set out in the Strategic and Annual Plans.
• Responsible for developing and supporting income generation schemes for the Trust and Shared Service were appropriate.
• Corporate responsibility GSTT Procurement and Supply Chain policy and service development impacting across the organization and Shared Service.
• Delivery of savings targets in line with departmental and Shared Service requirements, and supporting the delivery of a balanced budget at year-end.
• Responsible for ensuring effective processes and controls are in place to manage pay and non-pay expenditure across the supply chain function.

Workforce Development and Education

• The management and performance of the Supply Chain Team and the development of Shared Service-wide strategic supply chain management processes, integrating key internal stakeholders and suppliers to deliver value within a compliant framework.
• Development of the team in terms of skills and capability building, resourcing, talent management and succession planning, establishing a mentoring and coaching, learning environment.
• Responsible for the full performance management of all first line reporting staff, including recruitment and retention.
• Ensure staff are supported and prepared for future role change as new processes and systems are developed and introduced as part of the move towards digital supply chains and as the Shared Service continues to expand and grow.
• To oversee a structure that will ensure the highest levels of professional integrity and performance throughout the Shared Service.

Strategic Direction and Planning

• To develop and implement supply chain data and knowledge management technology systems, dashboards and other graphical MI platforms, working closely with the other key functions within the Procurement and Supply Chain function, such as, Procurement Excellence and wider Trust stakeholders, analyse and understand this information and use it to make evidence-based decisions.
• Work in collaboration with Strategic Sourcing / Procurement colleagues to develop 3-5 year strategies and lead on the development of supply chain activities across all areas of Trust activity to maximise customer value.
• To implement the strategic vision and direction of all supply chain services ensuring the establishment of professional standards and staff development policies.
• Provide support and leadership to the development and review of service development strategies and ensure that they are consistent with the Shared Service Board’s vision and priorities.
• Establishing a strong sense of direction and develop and implement the supply chain operational strategies in accordance with the wider Procurement and Supply Chain and GSTT strategies across the Trust footprint.
• In addition, this post holder will navigate and plan developments in the supply chain strategy by considering the opportunity to scale the opportunities across the South East London ICS.
• Responsible for overseeing all necessary standards for the Supply Chain function across Shared Service, monitor progress, reviewing and updating to take account of changes in legislation and service developments.
• Responsible for overseeing and planning change management within the team to support delivery of service development initiatives.
• Ensure inventory management systems are optimised and efficient, and that there are systems and processes for integration with other relevant systems (Oracle Fusion, GHX etc.) in use across the wider team.

* ‘Smart Together’ is a shared procurement and supply chain service hosted by Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, one of the leading hospitals in the country and serve the hospitals across south east London.

Smart Together currently provides its services to GSTT and 4 other NHS Trusts, namely, Lewisham & Greenwich NHS Trust, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust, Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust and South London & Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust.

Guy’s and St Thomas’ celebrates, respects and values the diversity of its staff and patients. We review our policies, procedures and practices to ensure that all employees, patients and carers are treated equitable according to their needs. We are actively committed to ensuring that no one who applies for a job, works or study’s at the Trust,  or accesses our services is discriminated against on the grounds of race, ethnicity, nationality, disability, religion or belief, age, gender identity , gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity/paternity, or marital/civil partnership.

Applications are welcomed from applicants with a disability. We can make reasonable adjustments and offer support and advice in a variety of ways throughout the application process. Equality of opportunity is our policy.

As an organisation we are committed to developing our services in ways that best suit the needs of our patients. This means that some staff groups will increasingly be asked to work a more flexible shift pattern so that we can offer services in the evenings or at weekends.

Flexible working

We are committed to supporting all employees to achieve a healthy work life balance and to work in a way that is best for them and our patients. We will consider all requests to work flexibly, taking in to account the individual’s personal circumstances as well the needs of the service. We encourage all prospective applicants to discuss their individual circumstances with the recruiting manager as part of the on-boarding process.

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