Category Lead – DHSC PPE Pandemic Preparedness

Category Lead – DHSC PPE Pandemic Preparedness

Job Title: Category Lead – DHSC PPE Pandemic PreparednessFunction: CommercialLocation: Hybrid arrangement with presence required for 2 days office basedContract type: PermanentSalary: £65,920, with potential to rise to £77,553 over 3 yearsClosing Date: 3rd August 2026

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Category Lead to support the PPE category within the DHSC’s pandemic preparedness programme – a nationally critical capability underpinning the UK’s ability to respond to future health emergencies. The post-holder will shape and deliver the strategy for a stockpile exceeding 100,000 pallets and manage over £150m of public investment, ensuring PPE supply is resilient, cost‑effective, and operationally viable for the UK through any future pandemic wave. The role operates across DHSC, NHS Supply Chain and the wider health system, requiring close collaboration with senior stakeholders and suppliers to deliver national priorities.

• Develop and deliver the national PPE category strategy, ensuring stockpile readiness aligned with preparedness objectives, commercial priorities and regulatory requirements.
• Lead the transformation of PPE supply chains through innovative solutions such as supplier‑managed inventory, stock rotation programmes and adoption of reusable PPE, improving resilience and sustainability.
• Manage a high‑value PPE portfolio, delivering significant cost savings, cost avoidance and value‑for‑money outcomes while reducing financial exposure from expiring or obsolete stock.
• Provide expert commercial and strategic advice to senior stakeholders, supporting governance, ministerial approvals and informed decision‑making across complex procurement activities.
• Build and maintain strong partnerships with DHSC, NHS Supply Chain, NHS providers and suppliers to enhance supplier performance, strengthen market capability and improve operational readiness.
• Identify and mitigate key risks relating to supply disruption, stock expiry and financial exposure, ensuring successful delivery of programmes and workplan objectives on time and to quality standards.

What can we offer you?

• Hybrid working opportunities, giving you the flexibility to work collaboratively in the office and remotely.
• Annual bonus schemes, long‑service recognitions and colleague awards.
• 27 days holiday plus bank holidays, with the option to purchase an additional 5 days.
• Dedicated development support: in‑house training, external qualifications and growth opportunities.
• Well‑being benefits: 1 day of paid well‑being leave and free access to a 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme.
• Generous pension scheme (12% employer contribution with a 6% employee contribution).
• Flexible Benefits Scheme allowing selection of benefits such as Life Insurance, Critical Illness Cover, Income Protection, Health Cash Plan, Dental Insurance and additional pension contributions.
• 2 days of paid volunteering leave.
• Discounts via the Blue Light Card and NHS discounts.

About NHS Supply Chain: We support the NHS to save lives and improve health by sourcing, delivering and supplying healthcare products, services and food for NHS trusts and healthcare organisations across England and Wales. We serve every NHS Trust and operate a national network of distribution centres, managing relationships with more than a thousand suppliers and delivering more than 8,000,000 orders each year to over 17,000 locations.

What skills will help you thrive in this role?

• Extensive leadership experience in commercial, procurement and category management roles, driving strategic sourcing and value delivery across complex organisations.
• Proven track record of achieving successful outcomes in high‑value, fast‑paced environments through effective commercial and operational decision‑making.
• Strong stakeholder management and influencing capabilities, engaging and collaborating effectively with senior executives and cross‑functional teams.
• Demonstrated ability to navigate ambiguity, manage competing priorities and deliver results in dynamic, rapidly changing business environments.

We reserve the right to close any vacancy from further submissions once we have received sufficient applications to make a shortlist. Please apply promptly if you wish to be considered for this role.