Job summary
- Main area
- Contracts
- Grade
- Band 8c
- Contract
- Permanent
- Hours
- Full time - 37.5 hours per week
- Job ref
- 290-NWLP-470
- Employer
- North West London Pathology
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- St Mary's Hospital
- Town
- London
- Salary
- £88,250 - £100,355 pa inclusive
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Closing
- 17/11/2026 23:59
Employer heading
Head of Procurement
Band 8c
North West London Pathology (NWLP) is an NHS pathology partnership joint venture between Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, Chelsea & Westminster NHS Foundation Trust and The Hillingdon Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. NWLP is modelled as a shared services organisation jointly owned by the three Trusts. The organisation is hosted by Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust and as the legal entity for NWLP our staff are employed by Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust.
NWLP is based on a ‘hub and spoke’ structure; the majority of routine, specialist and non-urgent activity is centralised at our hub site at Charing Cross Hospital. Urgent tests required for immediate patient management and treatment are performed in 24/7 Essential Service Laboratories based on-site within the seven hospital sites in the group.
The partnership has created an innovative and sustainable service that delivers outstanding quality to users and patients alike. This innovative approach allows the service to better manage demand, standardise operations, improve value for money and make use of state-of-the-art technology.
Our values are to be patient-focused, collaborative, expert and caring.
Job overview
Head of Procurement – North West London Pathology
North West London Pathology (NWLP) is seeking an experienced and commercially astute Head of Procurement to lead our procurement and commercial function across one of the largest pathology networks in the UK.
This is a senior leadership role with responsibility for shaping and delivering a modern procurement and commercial strategy that supports NWLP’s operational priorities, transformation programmes and long-term strategic objectives.
The post will play a key role in major procurement programmes across pathology, including Managed Equipment Services, Laboratory Information Management Systems, automation, digital pathology, capital investment and associated support services.
Working closely with the NWLP Executive Team, Finance, North West London Procurement Services, clinical and operational leaders, suppliers and external partners, you will provide expert commercial advice and lead complex procurement activity from early market engagement through to contract award, mobilisation and ongoing supplier management.
Experience within healthcare, pathology, diagnostics, technology or another complex regulated environment would be advantageous.
Main duties of the job
- Lead the development and delivery of NWLP’s procurement and commercial strategy.
- Provide strategic and operational leadership across procurement, commercial and supply chain activity.
- Lead complex and high-value procurement exercises, including MES, LIMS, automation and digital infrastructure.
- Develop procurement workplans aligned to transformation, operational priorities and Cost Improvement Programme objectives.
- Lead commercial negotiations with suppliers and strategic partners.
- Ensure procurement activity is legally compliant, commercially robust, transparent and auditable.
- Provide expert advice on procurement legislation, governance, commercial risk, contract management and supplier performance.
- Lead the identification and delivery of procurement savings and value-for-money opportunities.
- Support major business cases, investment appraisals and transformation programmes.
- Develop strong procurement governance, reporting, KPIs and supplier management arrangements.
- Represent NWLP in local, regional and national procurement forums.
- Provide leadership, coaching and professional development to procurement and commercial colleagues.
Working for our organisation
Benefits include career development, flexible working, staff wellbeing programmes, staff awards and recognition scheme. We also have available benefits including Cycle to Work, car lease schemes, season ticket loan or membership options for onsite leisure facilities.
Environmental sustainability
Climate change and poor air quality is a health emergency that harms people’s health and wellbeing and widens health inequalities. The Trust is also committed to reducing its impact on the environment by reducing our greenhouse gas emissions to Net Zero by 2045. All our employees have a role to play, and we have an active green network that supports staff to act in ways that ensures that our services are efficient, sustainable and reduce our impact on the environment www.imperial.nhs.uk/about-us/our-strategy/green-plan
NWLP Induction
The NWLP induction will run on the first Monday of each month (provided it does not fall on a bank holiday) and includes laboratory training (for relevant laboratory roles). All new staff must attend the NWLP induction during their first week with NWLP.
2026-2027 start dates which you will be able to book once you have completed all your pre-employment checks.
Monday 7 December 2026
Monday 4 January 2027
Monday 1 February 2027
Monday 1 March 2027
Monday 5 April 2027
Candidates are advised to consider these start dates before agreeing end of service date with their current employer.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
The full job description provides an overview of the key tasks and responsibilities of the role and the person specification outlines the qualifications, skills, experience and knowledge required.
For both overviews please view the Job Description attachment with the job advert.
Person specification
Education
Essential criteria
- Educated to Degree Level or equivalent.
- Membership of the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply gained by examination or equivalent experience.
- In-depth professional knowledge in a number of disciplines including financial management, performance management, information systems, and significant staff management acquired as a Senior Procurement Manager.
Desirable criteria
- MBA (Master of Business Administration)
Skills/abilities
Essential criteria
- Ability to successfully link strategy and operations.
- Detailed knowledge of contracting, legislation and contract law relating to procurement and its application.
- Ability to identify, develop, nurture and promote innovate approaches to service development.
- Ability to develop an inclusive, team based approach to problem solving and decision making.
Desirable criteria
- Commercial acumen within procurement.
Experience
Essential criteria
- Substantial experience leading procurement activities.
- A track record of leadership, performance improvement and organisational change.
- Well-developed political awareness, influencing, negotiation and conflict resolution skills.
- Well-developed delegation, people and workload management skills.
Desirable criteria
- Project management skills
Employer certification / accreditation badges
Documents to download
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Allen Widdowson
- Job title
- Finance & Commercial Director
- Email address
- [email protected]
- Telephone number
- 07825 034 301
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