Director of Procurement

Job summary

An exceptional opportunity has arisen to lead one of the most ambitious procurement transformation programmes in the NHS.

We are seeking a highly experienced and visionary Procurement Director to lead the One Dorset Procurement Service (ODPS), a shared procurement and supply chain service serving Dorset County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust, and University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust as part of the Dorset Integrated Care System.

As Procurement Director, you will provide strategic leadership for all procurement and supply chain activity across the partnership, ensuring the delivery of value for money, commercial excellence,sustainabilityand innovation. You will act as the recognised procurement and commercial expert, working closely with Chief Finance Officers, Executive Directors,cliniciansand system partners to deliver outstanding outcomes for our organisations and the communities we serve.

This is a rare opportunity to shape the future of procurement across Dorset, leading a high-performing service through its next phase of development and embedding a single, integrated approach across our provider organisations.

Main duties of the job

The Procurement Director will provide strategic and operational leadership to the One Dorset Procurement Service, leading a team of approximately 60 staff and ensuring the successful delivery of procurement, supplychainand commercial services across the partnership.

Key responsibilities include:

• Leading the implementation and ongoing development of the One Dorset Procurement Service and its Target Operating Model.

• Providing strategic procurement and commercial advice at Board and Executive level.

• Delivering sustainable financial benefits, value for money and supply chain improvements across partner organisations.

• Building strong relationships with clinicians, senior leaders, systempartnersand external stakeholders to support organisational and system-wideobjectives.

• Leading organisational change, servicetransformationand workforce development to create a high-performing, innovative and customer-focused procurement function.

• Ensuring compliance with procurement legislation, governance requirements and NHS best practice whilst driving continuous improvement and innovation.

Recruitment Timeline

Advert closes: Sunday 30th August 2026

Shortlisting: Tuesday 1st September 2026

Stakeholder and interview assessments: Thursday 10th September 2026

Previous applicants need not apply.

About us

Dorset is a fantastic place to live and work, offering an outstanding quality of life alongside a rewarding senior leadership opportunity within the NHS.

The One Dorset Procurement Service is a shared serviceoperatingacross three NHS provider organisations and forms an important part of Dorset's wider Integrated Care System. Working collaboratively across organisational boundaries, the service plays a critical role in supporting the delivery of high-quality patient care through effective procurement, commercialleadershipand supply chain management.

The successful candidate will join an ambitious and forward-thinking leadership community committed to collaboration, continuousimprovementand delivering value for the people of Dorset. You will have the opportunity to influence decisions at the highest levels, work with a wide range of partners and lead a service with significant strategic importance.

We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone can thrive and where diversity of thought, experience and background is valued.

Job responsibilities

Reporting to the Chief Finance Officers of the Dorset Provider Trusts, the Procurement Director will lead the strategic direction, operationaldeliveryand ongoing development of the One Dorset Procurement Service.

The successful candidate will:

• Act as the executive lead for procurement and supply chain services across Dorset's provider organisations.

• Drive the continued implementation and evolution of the One Dorset Procurement Service and its Target Operating Model.

• Lead strategic procurement, commercial and supply chain programmes that support organisational priorities and improve patient care.

• Deliver measurable financial benefits, commercialvalueand service improvements.

• Develop andmaintaineffective relationships with Trust Boards, Executive Directors, clinicians, Integrated CareBoardsand wider system partners.

• Champion procurement best practice, governance,sustainabilityand social value across the partnership.

• Lead, inspire and develop a large multidisciplinary procurement workforce, creating a culture of collaboration,innovationand continuous improvement.

• Represent Dorset at regional and national forums and contribute to the wider NHS procurement agenda.

We are looking for a senior procurement leader with substantial executive-level experience, a strongtrack recordof leading complex transformation programmes, excellent commercialacumenand the ability to influence and inspire across organisational boundaries.

Person specification

Qualifications / Professional Registration

Essential

• Current Member of the Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (MCIPS).
• Educated to Master's level or equivalent experience.

Experience

Essential

• Significant senior-level procurement and supply chain leadership experience within a large, complex organisation.
• Demonstrable experience of leading large-scale procurement transformation and service improvement programmes.
• Experience of leading and managing multidisciplinary procurement and supply chain teams.
• Experience of developing and delivering procurement strategies and achieving measurable financial savings and value outcomes.
• Experience of operating at Board, Executive or equivalent senior leadership level.

Knowledge

Essential

• Extensive knowledge of procurement legislation, governance and best practice.
• Strong understanding of strategic procurement, commercial management and supply chain operations.
• Demonstrable understanding of partnership working across organisational boundaries.

Desirable Shortlisting Criteria

Essential

• NHS procurement and supply chain leadership experience.
• Experience of leading shared services, mergers, collaborations or system-wide transformation programmes.
• NHS Leadership qualification.
• Experience of representing organisations at regional or national level.