Category Buyer

Exciting opportunity to work as a Category Buyer-Surgical for the Devon Procurement Service (DPS). DPS is a collaborative procurement service providing procurement support to NHS partner organisations:

University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust

Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

Livewell Southwest

The job role is very varied, offering daily challenge with the opportunity to grow and develop as a procurement professional in a well-respected and high performing team.

The main responsibility includes the management of procurement activity associated with designated categories of spend across multiple hospital and NHS sites. This often delivers added value and innovation in healthcare technology with clear benefits to the patients of the Devon healthcare community.

The successful candidate will be supported and trained to support the delivery and management of the Procurement Category Management (CM) non pay savings programme.

Please note that applications from temporary workers who have been engaged with the Trust for a minimum of 3 months are welcome.

Work within the Medical and Surgical Procurement Team to support the delivery of the procurement Category Management (CM) non pay savings programme that informs the wider Procurement and Logistics strategy.

Ensure all Procurement is conducted in line with the procurement CM model.

Responsible for sourcing of goods and services to ensure value for money, meeting the needs of stakeholders and comply with corporate governance and UK legislation.

To provide procurement and commercial advice to internal customers and the wider Devon healthcare network.

We are a people business - where every member of staff matters and can make a difference. Patients are at the heart of everything we do. Joining the Devon Procurement Service, hosted by University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust means becoming part of a team of dedicated staff, who are committed to leading the way through innovation, clinical excellence and great customer care.

The Network has great opportunities for career development in a highly progressive working environment. We offer all of this in a vibrant, modern city with a historic reputation for adventure.

PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL COMMUNICATION WILL BE ELECTRONIC, PLEASE CHECK YOUR EMAIL ACCOUNT REGULARLY. If you have any issues with applying online and need additional support including reasonable adjustments with the application process please contact the recruitment team on  We recognise that work life balance is important for our colleagues and so we invite requests from applicants around less than full time/flexible working for our advertised roles.

Please contact the recruiting manager to discuss this prior to your application submission.

We commit to giving this full consideration in each case. We encourage people from diverse backgrounds to apply for our roles, as diversity strengthens our teams. It is sometimes necessary to close vacancies before the closing date. If you have not heard from us within 4 weeks of the closing date, please assume that you have not been shortlisted.

• Maintain relationships with suppliers to ensure performance and value, and collaborate with internal stakeholders to align category strategies with organisational goals.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with external stakeholders, including collaborative partners, NHS Supply Chain, suppliers, and other NHS Trusts.
• Present, explain, and defend commercial information in support of sourcing decisions.
• Use communication, negotiation, and influencing skills to engage a range of staff to ensure the agreement is reached to minimise the level of procurement activity not subject to a full tender.
• Build and maintain the reputation of the procurement service as a professional service with effective business partnering.
• Demonstrate transparency to the procurement service, its Partner Trusts, and supplier organisations to maximise reputation and mitigate risks.

• Knowledge of professional purchasing principles acquired through degree or Chartered…