Category Lead - DHSC PPE Pandemic Preparedness

Reporting to Head of Category (Surgical Consumables and PPE), this role provides senior commercial leadership for the PPE category within the Department of Health and Social Cares pandemic preparedness programme - a nationally critical capability underpinning the UKs ability to respond to future health emergencies. The post-holder will be responsible for shaping and delivering the strategy for a stockpile exceeding 100,000 pallets and representing over £150m of public investment. The role ensures PPE supply is resilient, cost-effective, and operationally viable, with sufficient readiness to support the UK through the first wave of a future pandemic. The pandemic preparedness stockpile is a large-scale, high-value national asset designed to ensure rapid response capability in the event of a public health emergency. Significant recent investment in PPE and ongoing requirements to manage stock expiry, cost pressures, and supply chain resilience mean there is a need to transform the current operating model into a more dynamic, sustainable, and efficient system. The role operates across DHSC, NHS Supply Chain, and the wider health system, requiring close collaboration with senior stakeholders and suppliers to deliver national priorities. This is an exciting opportunity to lead a high-profile PPE category that plays a vital role in the UK's pandemic preparedness. You will be responsible for developing and delivering category strategies that ensure stockpile readiness, drive value for money, and strengthen supply chain resilience. Working closely with senior stakeholders across government, the NHS, and supplier partners, you will provide expert commercial leadership and support key strategic decision-making. You will drive innovative supply chain solutions, including inventory optimisation and sustainability initiatives, while managing commercial performance across a complex and high-value category. Success in the role will be measured through maintaining PPE readiness, reducing financial risk, delivering commercial benefits, and improving supplier performance and resilience.

• Lead the development and delivery of the DHSC PPE category strategy, aligned to national preparedness and commercial objectives
• Ensure the stockpile meets required readiness levels while balancing cost, risk, and operational constraints
• Drive supply chain transformation, including implementation of supplier-managed inventory, stock rotation, and reusable PPE solutions
• Manage a high-value category, delivering cost savings, cost avoidance, and value for money
• Provide expert commercial advice to senior stakeholders, including supporting ministerial decision-making and approvals
• Build and maintain effective relationships across DHSC, NHS Supply Chain, NHS providers, and suppliers
• Shape supplier markets to improve resilience, innovation, and sustainability
• Identify, assess, and manage risks relating to supply disruption, stock expiry, and financial exposure
• Ensure all activity is delivered in line with procurement regulations and governance requirements.
• Lead delivery of programmes and initiatives within agreed timelines in a fast-paced and evolving environment Key Accountabilities / Outcomes
• Maintenance of effective PPE readiness to support the UKs pandemic first-wave response
• Reduction in financial exposure from expiring or obsolete stock
• Successful implementation of innovative and sustainable supply chain solutions Delivery of measurable commercial benefits, including cost savings and efficiencies
• Strengthened supply chain resilience and supplier performance
• Delivery of agreed workplan objectives to time and quality, Effective PPE readiness maintained to support the UK's pandemic first-wave response.
• Financial exposure from expiring, obsolete, or surplus stock reduced.
• Innovative and sustainable supply chain solutions successfully implemented.
• Measurable commercial benefits delivered, including cost savings and operational efficiencies.
• Supply chain resilience and supplier performance strengthened.
• Agreed workplan objectives delivered to time and quality standards. The successful candidate will bring significant experience in commercial, procurement, category management, or supply chain leadership, along with strong stakeholder management skills and the ability to deliver results in a fast-paced, complex environment. Experience of supply chain strategy, large-scale inventory programmes, or working within the public sector would be advantageous, Essential:
• Significant experience in commercial, procurement, or category management leadership roles.
• Strong understanding of the NHS and wider healthcare system.
• Proven track record of delivering outcomes within complex, high-value, and strategically important environments.
• Excellent stakeholder management and influencing skills, including experience engaging with senior leaders and executive-level stakeholders.
• Ability to operate effectively and make decisions in fast-paced, complex, and ambiguous environments.
• Desirable: