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., 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.,

• Own the day-to-day management of allocated corporate (non-clinical) categories.
• Manage a defined portfolio of contracts, ensuring performance, compliance, and value for money.
• Lead contract renewals, variations, and low-to-medium 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 non-financial 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, 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.
  
  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 criteria
• 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 of managing complex procurement projects including business case, options appraisal, tender documentation, tender evaluation and contract award processes.
• Knowledge of Category Management techniques and experience of the development and implementation of category management plans and processes across significant categories of expenditure.
• Strong understanding of unlocking value from procurement & supply chain, such as sourcing, tendering, demand management, standardisation and contract management.
• Experience in Supplier Relationship Management, including supplier performance, continuous improvement and innovation .
• Experience of consistently delivering savings and benefits targets.
• Excellent numeracy skills and the ability to analyse and interpret spend data and undertake market analysis.
• Meets tight deadlines in a fast, dynamic environment with consistently high levels of performance
• Strong Commercial acumen within procurement with proven negotiation skills.
• Experience of contributing to a developing service improvement, transformation or business change initiatives.
• Experience of developing, implementing or reviewing policies, procedures or governance frameworks.
• Demonstrable ability to influence organisational practice beyond own area of responsibility.
Desirable criteria
• Previously worked within an NHS Procurement Function
• Knowledge of Trust SO/SFIs & NHS finances
• Experience of managing outsourcing and outsourced contracts
• Experience of people management, coaching, mentoring supporting and developing staff. Experience of people management, coaching, mentoring supporting and developing staff.
• Strong knowledge of the NHS/Public Sector, of public sector procurement rules, NHS terms and conditions & contract law., Good knowledge of Microsoft Office software, particularly Microsoft Excel and Power BI
• Experience of using specialist e-procurement tools including e-tendering, e-sourcing and reverse auctions., Ability to plan and develop complex projects in short, medium and long term with appropriate detail.
• Good organisational and administrative skills, and an ability to prioritise work and meet deadlines.
• Ability to deliver accurate information in a timely manner.
• Driven to self-manage and perform within a challenging, complex, and busy healthcare environment.
  
  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 of four hospitals - the John Radcliffe Hospital, Churchill Hospital and Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre in Headington and the Horton General Hospital in Banbury. 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., 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., Sexual Safety Charter: In 2023 NHS England launched its first sexual safety charter, and our Trust proudly signed it. We pledge zero tolerance for inappropriate sexual behaviour and commit to the ten core principles Oxford University Hospitals promotes a safe, respectful hiring environment. If you want to make a difference with us, come and join our team. Together, we will uphold the highest standards of care and professionalism.