NHS Supply Chain is recruiting a Category Manager to lead one of its nationally critical medical technologies categories, with applications closing on Tuesday 24 November 2026. The hybrid role is based at the organisation's Wakefield office, with two days a week on site.

The post, advertised on 10 November 2026, carries a starting salary of £47,874, with the potential to rise to £56,322 over three years. It is a nine-month fixed-term contract in the Commercial function, covering medical technologies.

What the Category Manager will do

The successful candidate will develop and put in place category strategies that strengthen the supply chain, reduce risk, create competitive advantage and deliver sustainable savings for the NHS. Working closely with Category Lead colleagues, the postholder will set the vision, strategic direction and culture for their category teams, supporting continuity of supply and future growth.

Day-to-day work includes managing a category plan in line with the organisation's commercial strategy, supporting framework development and renewal, and working with suppliers through regular supplier relationship management. The role also involves close work with clinical teams to make sure framework products meet quality, cost and time requirements, and building relationships with NHS customers, regulators and other public organisations.

NHS Supply Chain says the roles are pivotal to its future delivery and need agile thinking, creativity and the ability to operate at pace in a complex and evolving environment. The postholder will balance competing priorities and respond to changing demographics and system pressures, so that category strategies support safe, high-quality patient care.

Pay, benefits and working pattern

Alongside the salary, NHS Supply Chain offers hybrid working, 27 days of holiday plus bank holidays, annual bonus schemes, and a pension in which the employer contributes 12 per cent when the employee contributes 6 per cent. Staff also receive one day of paid wellbeing leave, two days of paid volunteering leave, access to a flexible benefits scheme, and discounts through the Blue Light Card and NHS Discounts.

The role requires occasional travel to Sheffield and Nottingham to support supplier relationship work and attend team training and development sessions. The advert says applicants whose experience does not match every requirement are still encouraged to apply.

About NHS Supply Chain

NHS Supply Chain sources, delivers and supplies healthcare products, services and food for NHS trusts and healthcare organisations across England and Wales. It serves every NHS trust, works with more than 1,000 suppliers, and delivers more than 8,000,000 orders each year to more than 17,000 locations.

How to apply

Applications are made through the Apply Now link on the official NHS Supply Chain vacancy page, which leads to the organisation's online application form. The closing date is Tuesday 24 November 2026, but NHS Supply Chain reserves the right to close the vacancy early once it has received enough applications to shortlist, so candidates are advised to apply without delay. Anyone who needs support completing the form can contact the Talent Acquisition team at careers@supplychain.nhs.uk. The full vacancy details are on the NHS Supply Chain website.