Job vacancy: Head of Supply Chain, 279 University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust, Worthing

Job summary

Main area

Procurement

Grade

Band 8b

Contract

Permanent

Hours

Full time
Flexible working

37.5 hours per week (Monday to Friday)

Job ref

279-7380501-AUG25

Employer: 279 University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust
Employer type: NHS
Site: Worthing
Town: Worthing
Salary: £64,455 - £74,896 per annum pro rata
Salary period: Yearly
Closing: 24/08/2025 23:59

Head of Supply Chain

Band 8b

About our Trust

At UHSussex we’re proud to be at the heart of the NHS. As one of the UK’s largest acute Trusts, we’re a leading example of the excellence, the ambition and the values that have embodied the NHS for over 70 years.

Our hard-working, talented and dedicated people work together towards a common goal – to always put our Patient First . In fact our mission is summed up by our ‘where better never stops’ motto and you will play a part in driving us forwards and in improving the lives of patients across Sussex.

At UHSussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us always put the Patient First. Your uniqueness and experiences will be part of our creative and innovative community where everyone is encouraged to succeed. We have a range of Staff Networks to help break down barriers, and can offer a buddy to help new members settle in. We’re proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 2) and a Veteran Aware Trust.

We treat our patients and staff with the same compassion and empathy we expect for ourselves. We’re here for them when they need us, and we go above and beyond to meet their needs. This can be seen in our Wellbeing Programme for staff which is extensive and designed to support you when you need it, including where possible, flexible working to support work life balance - because we know that to look after others we must first look after ourselves.

As a university trust and a leader in healthcare research, we value learning, teaching and training so that we can be the best that we can be. From the moment you start with us and throughout your career we will help you to grow and develop. We hope that in choosing UHSussex you are choosing a long and happy career where you will be able to see the difference you make and feel valued for all that you do.

We look forward to receiving your application and the start of your journey with UHSussex.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Engage with and influence stakeholders at all levels and in sensitive situations, delivering difficult messages where required to Executive and Trust Directors and senior clinical and operational leaders.
Build and maintain the reputation of the Procurement and Supplies service as a highly professional and enabling business partnering service.
Champion procurement and promote the benefits of leading procurement practices internally and externally, resulting in procurement having a visible and high profile within the Trust.
Provide expert guidance and counsel in relation to procurement logistics, regulations and procurement-related areas of Standing Financial Instructions. This will include regular review of internal policy documents, proposing and implementing changes as required.
Produce reports on supply chain activity for internal audiences including Sustainability Committee and Trust Management Board as well as external audiences including NHS England and the Sussex Health and Care Partnership.
Participate in the response to Procurement & Supplies related Freedom of Information requests, liaising with the Trust’s FOI team as needed and ensuring that

Person specification

Experience & Qualifications

Essential criteria

Senior leadership experience in Supply Chain Logistics, preferably NHS
MCIPS, CILTS or Chartered Professional Status;
Additional professional development through taught courses, seminars or other workplace experience, equivalent to a Masters level qualification
MBA or Masters Degree in a relevant field e.g. Purchasing, Supply, Logistics, Business etc

Skills

Essential criteria

Excellent written, oral and presentational skills
Able to present and explain complex commercial matters in formal and other settings to range of audiences.
Able to influence and negotiate with senior managers within the Trust and in external organisations, where they may be differing objectives and priorities
Excellent skills to enable planning and delivery of service plans for the forthcoming year and in the medium term
Able to develop policy and procedure for operational procurement areas
Able to work to tight deadlines
High level of competency in word processing, spreadsheet and presentational software packages
Knowledge and understanding of electronic procurement systems and development of those systems

Specific Role Related Requirements

Essential criteria

Experience in procurement leadership positions within a complex, service-delivery focussed organisation
Knowledge and awareness of developments in NHS Procurement operating model.

Desirable criteria

Knowledge and understanding of NHS 10 Year Plan and other policy developments that will affect the NHS

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion

Essential criteria

Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues
Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role).

Important information for applicants:

A Note on AI Use in Applications
We value the individuality and authenticity that each candidate brings to the application process. While AI tools are increasingly accessible, we strongly discourage their use in completing your application. Your responses should reflect your own voice, experiences, and motivations—elements that are essential to a fair and accurate evaluation.
Applications that rely heavily on AI-generated content may misrepresent your abilities and could result in your application being rejected. We encourage you to take the time to present your genuine self, as this helps us better understand your potential and ensures a transparent selection process.

Closing Adverts Early: In the event of exceptional interest, we may close adverts earlier than specified.

Some of our adverts are capped for a limited number of applications; therefore, the advert will close once the cap has been reached. We therefore encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible if you are interested in the position to prevent you from missing out on applying for the opportunity.

Flexible Working: If you would like to explore potential options regarding flexible working please speak with the appropriate recruiting/line manager.

DBS Checks: As part of our commitment to a safe working environment, we undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service check on all new employees where the role is eligible for a criminal record check . We make offers in line with the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1975.

Skilled Worker Visa: Applications for Skilled Worker sponsorship are welcome for the roles that meet the Visa and Immigrations eligibility criteria. For further information please visit the gov.uk website searching for Skilled Worker. It is your responsibility as the applicant to ensure that you meet this criteria.

UHSussex reserves the right to close the role early if we receive a high volume of applications

Further Information

For help with the application process for Nursing vacancies, please email [email protected].

For help with the application process for Non-Nursing vacancies, please email [email protected].

Applicant requirements

This post will require a submission for Disclosure to be made to check for any unspent criminal convictions.

Documents to download

Apply online now

Further details / informal visits contact

Name

Amy Chima

Job title

Associate Director of Procurement

Email address

[email protected]

Telephone number

01903 205111

Additional information

Full details can be found on the attached job description and person specification

To arrange an informal discussion or for further information, please contact Zoe Gates, Commercial Team Coordinator via email on [email protected]

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Job summary

Employer heading

Head of Supply Chain

Band 8b

Job overview

Main duties of the job

Working for our organisation

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Person specification

Experience & Qualifications

Essential criteria

Skills

Essential criteria

Specific Role Related Requirements

Essential criteria

Desirable criteria

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion

Essential criteria

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Applicant requirements

Documents to download

Further details / informal visits contact

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