University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust

About the Company

The two trusts that run Poole Hospital and the Royal Bournemouth and Christchurch Hospitals merged on Thursday 1 October, 2020 to form University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust (UHD), with ambitious plans to improve and transform services for patients.

The new organisation is designated as a ‘university hospital trust’, having formalised the links with Bournemouth University that both hospital trusts have enjoyed for many years. This reinforces the commitment of the new organisation to expanding research, fostering innovation and prioritising education and training.

The new University Hospitals Dorset employs more than 9,000 staff and has an annual turnover of more than £630m. Each hospital – Poole Hospital, the Royal Bournemouth Hospital and Christchurch Hospital – will retain its own name, and will benefit from significant future investment, planned for all three sites as part of the Trust’s ambitious capital programme.

Establishing the new trust makes possible many exciting developments, both now and in the future. We will be a stronger, more resilient organisation, which means we will be able to deliver much improved services for our patients. The new Trust will be a great place to work, and we expect to see talented individuals from across the country choosing to join us, and be part of the exciting transformation plans in Dorset.

Listed Jobs

Company Name

University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust

Job Title

Assistant Category Manager

Job Description

**Job Title** Assistant Category Manager **Role Summary** Support the Senior Category Manager in the Trust’s procurement programme across Corporate, Operations, Clinical Services, and Non‑Clinical SLAs. Manage contract compliance, develop supplier relationships, deliver strategic sourcing solutions, and mentor team members within a fixed‑term maternity cover role. **Expectations** * Demonstrated procurement experience (minimum 2‑3 years). * Strong commercial acumen and proactive “can‑do” attitude. * Ability to build and maintain stakeholder relationships across clinical and non‑clinical teams. * Commitment to UK public procurement rules and Trust regulatory requirements. **Key Responsibilities** * Assist in establishing and managing effective contractual agreements compliant with UK public procurement and Trust regulations. * Promote stakeholder engagement, influence change, and support commitment‑based & collaborative sourcing strategies. * Work with Category Managers and cross‑functional teams to deliver innovative solutions aligned with Trust strategy. * Mentor and coach junior team members; develop and manage vendor/business review programmes. * Lead continuous improvement initiatives, gathering robust product and market intelligence for assigned portfolios. * Act as a departmental ambassador, providing specialist advice to internal customers. **Required Skills** * Procurement & contract management expertise. * Strategic sourcing and supplier development knowledge. * Excellent communication, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills. * Analytical thinking and problem‑solving ability. * Leadership/mentoring capability. * Familiarity with UK public procurement regulations. **Required Education & Certifications** * Bachelor’s degree in Business, Supply Chain, Finance, or related field. * Professional procurement qualification preferred (e.g., CIPS, ACCP, or equivalent).

Bournemouth, United kingdom

On site

29-12-2025