Assistant Director, Group Vendor & Contract Management(10538)

Overview

The Assistant Director, Group Vendor & Contract Management (GVCM) provides strategic leadership and oversight for the “Surgical” and “Non-Clinical & Corporate” Groupings within GVCM; across the full contract lifecycle, from contract planning and sourcing through contract mobilisation, performance management, review, and renewal. The role works closely with clinical, corporate, and other stakeholders to drive standardisation, collaboration, commercial optimisation, and continuous improvement across the Group. The role is responsible for developing and implementing effective procurement and contract management strategies across the assigned groupings, ensuring that procurement activities are aligned with organisational priorities, deliver value for money, manage commercial and supply risks, and optimise supplier performance.

Responsibilities

1) Contract Planning & Strategy

• Lead the development and implementation of contract planning and strategy.

• Identify opportunities for Group-wide demand aggregation, standardisation, and commercial optimisation.
• Monitor market developments, supplier trends, emerging technologies, and supply risks.
• Provide strategic advice to senior management and stakeholders on contract and commercial matters.

2) Procurement & Sourcing

• Oversee the procurement activities, ensuring robust, transparent, and effective procurement processes.
• Provide direction on sourcing strategies, tender approaches, evaluation methodologies, and commercial models.
• Work with stakeholders to develop appropriate specifications, evaluation criteria, and contractual requirements.
• Ensure appropriate governance and compliance throughout the procurement process.
• Ensure procurement activities achieve optimal outcomes in terms of value, quality, risk, and total cost of ownership.

3) Contract Management & Performance

• Provide oversight of the effective management of contracts.
• Drive supplier performance, service improvements, cost containment, and resolution of contractual issues.
• Monitor contract performance, commercial outcomes, risks, and key obligations.
• Ensure timely contract reviews, renewals, extensions, variations and exits.
• Identify opportunities to leverage contracts across institutions and strengthen Group-level commercial outcomes.

4) Stakeholder & Supplier Management

• Develop effective relationships with clinical, corporate, operational and Group stakeholders to understand requirements and drive effective procurement and contract outcomes.
• Establish effective supplier relationships while maintaining appropriate commercial governance and accountability.

5) “Surgical” Grouping

• Provide leadership for procurement and contract management relating to surgical requirements.
• Work closely with clinical stakeholders to balance clinical requirements, patient safety, operational needs, and commercial considerations.
• Promote appropriate standardisation and rationalisation of products and suppliers, where clinically and operationally appropriate.
• Develop strong supplier and market intelligence for surgical categories.

6) “Non-Clinical & Corporate” Grouping

• Provide leadership for procurement and contract management of non-clinical and corporate requirements, including non-clinical equipment and services.
• Identify opportunities to consolidate demand, standardise requirements and improve commercial outcomes across institutions.
• Work with relevant specialist Group functions to ensure clear ownership, appropriate interfaces and effective governance for categories that intersect with their areas of responsibility.
• Develop the Group's capabilities and portfolio for non-clinical and corporate procurement as the scope of GVCM evolves.

7) Team Leadership & Capability Development

• Lead, develop and motivate staff.
• Build category and contract management capabilities, commercial acumen, and professional expertise within the team.
• Promote collaboration and knowledge sharing across GVCM.

8) Transformation & Continuous Improvement

• Drive continuous improvement in procurement and contract management processes, systems, tools, and practices.
• Identify opportunities for digitalisation, automation, data-driven decision-making, and improved contract visibility.
• Support the development and implementation of GVCM frameworks, policies, playbooks, and standards.
• Lead or contribute to Group-wide transformation initiatives relating to procurement, vendor, and contract management.

Required Competencies and Qualifications

• Degree in procurement, supply chain management, business, finance, or a related discipline.

• Minimum 10 years of professional experience in procurement, contract management, strategic sourcing, and/or vendor management, preferably in a healthcare, public sector, or large institutional environment.

• Demonstrated experience managing complex and high-value procurement and contractual portfolios.

• Strong commercial, negotiation, analytical and stakeholder management capabilities.

• Experience in leading teams and developing procurement and contract management capabilities.

• Demonstrated ability to work across organisational boundaries and influence senior stakeholders.