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Job overview
Health Procurement Liverpool (HPL) is a single shared procurement service for:
- Alder Hey Children’s Hospital;
- Cheshire & Wirral Partnership;
- Clatterbridge Cancer Centre;
- Liverpool Heart & Chest Hospital;
- The Walton Centre
HPL was established in April 2021 and is hosted by The Walton CentrE. Each of the organisations named above is an equal partner in the service and is responsible for the strategic direction of the function.
The Head of Category Procurement will be responsible for strategic procurement activities supporting the Cheshire & Merseyside Diagnostics and Pathology networks.
The post holder will be required to support and manage the delivery of Procurement schemes, individually leading and delivering a number of high profile complex projects, which will demonstrate and deliver value for money and innovation whilst meeting the needs of all organisation(s) taking part.
The post holder will be required to provide sound Procurement advice to key stakeholders across the network whilst engaging, building and maintaining strategic working relationships with both internal/external colleagues and suppliers.
The post holder will lead on contract management activities across a portfolio of suppliers/contracts, monitoring performance, managing risks and relationships and driving continuous improvement to support key objectives and patient care outcomes of the network.
Main duties of the job
Please see Head of Category Procurement job description and person specification attached which includes details of the main duties of this role.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Please see Head of Category Procurement job description and person specification attached which includes details of the main duties and responsibilities of this role.
Applicant requirements
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Full Chartered Institute of Purchasing & Supply (MCIPS) qualification & Membership by examination or equivalent experience
- Educated to masters level or equivalent
Desirable
- Prince 2 project management
- Evidence of continued professional development
- Contract Management Qualification
- GCF ADC Programme (Commercial Level)
Skills & Atrributes
Essential
- Sound Data Analysis skills
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
- Excellent organisational skills to ensure deadlines are prioritised and met
- Excellent Key Board Skills and proficient in the use of Microsoft Office tools in particular Word and Excel
- Understanding of current best practice in all aspects of supply chain management
- Proven influencing and negotiation skills
- Understanding of the current / future NHS agenda in Procurement
- Ability to build meaningful business relationship both internally across the organisation and externally with suppliers
- Excellent Leadership skills
Knowledge & Experience
Essential
- Relevant experience in an NHS public sector procurement environment with a track record of achievement
- Fully conversant with the application of EU/UK procurement legislation/tendering processes & procedures
- Experience of contract, stakeholder & supplier management
- Project management experience
- Delivery of demanding savings targets through Procurement activities
- Experienced in using a range of computer packages /applications
- Experienced in the use of E-Procurement systems
- Evidence of on-going professional development
- Experience of managing both a strategic and materials management/operational procurement service within an NHS setting
- Commercial and business skills
- Ability to review and interpret complex contractual agreements
Desirable
- Understanding of stock and inventory management systems and solutions
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Applying for this NHS job
This advert is for Head of Category Procurement - Diagnostics with The Walton Centre NHS Foundation Trust in Liverpool, England. It is listed as a Band 8 Manager and corporate role. The advertised salary is £66,582 - £77,368 Per Annum. The contract type is Permanent. The application deadline is 23 Aug 2026.
Before you apply, compare the job description with the person specification and mirror the employer's essential criteria in your supporting information. Use the vacancy title, employer, location, salary, contract type, closing date and posted date (07 Aug 2026) to decide whether this role fits your current NHS job search. If the employer can close applications early, prepare the application before the stated deadline rather than waiting for the final day.
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