Innovation Specialist
Job Posted: 16 November 2023
Job Updated: 16 November 2023
Job Title: Innovation Specialist
Function: Supplier Relationship Management/ Commercial
Location: Any NHSSC location will be considered. (Nottingham, Chester, Leeds, Sheffield, or Alfreton)/Hybrid
Type: Permanent
SCCL Grade: Hay Grade 17
Job Ref: COM/SRM/INS01
Salary: £51,340 rising in increments to £60,400 in year 3
Closing Date: Friday 1st December 2023
NHS Supply Chain are looking to recruit an Innovation Specialist to join the Supplier Relationship Management Team.
Purpose of the role
Innovation is relevant not only to bring a product to market but also to inform category management, allowing NHS Supply Chain to remain ahead of our competitors and ensure we are developing as the market changes, giving us a unique position to continue to meet our customer needs. This role entails significant stakeholder management to influence wider policies and processes across the innovation pipelines.
As Innovation Specialist you are responsible for building and developing procurement knowledge within external organisations to ensure NHS Supply Chain is deemed as a partner organisation. You will be accountable for helping to create, own and implement the strategy and roadmap.
In this role you will lead all delivery activity for the NHS Supply Chain Innovation pipeline. The innovation pipeline relies on our ability to effectively procure innovation, working with our NHS partners to identify and support the adoption of evidence-based technology with a positive clinical outcome.
Responsibilities
Be a key contact for NHS Key Stakeholder, including customer, colleagues, suppliers, DHSC, NHSE, NICE, and HINs (Health Innovation Network). Provide specialist advice on the interpretation and application of policies and procedures, resolving queries and issues and referring very complex or contentious issues to others.
Implement effective processes to support delivery of the Innovation strategy, including ensuring effective internal and external governance – framework, pipeline, and road map.
Develop procedures, interprets, and applies policy for area of Innovation workstream to achieve specified outputs, or advise the wider business on application of policy, then monitor implementation of those procedures within the organisation.
Supporting delivery of the NHSE policies (e, g. MedTech Funding Mandate (MTFM) and Accelerated Access Collaborative priorities).
Ensure all activities align and support wider NHS Supply Chain strategies including Sustainability, SRM, Resilience and Value Based Procurement
Contribute as part of and manage strong professional relationships with the Senior Management team, actively promoting customer-led procurement and value delivery thinking so that effective strategies are created, and clear direction is given across the NHS Supply Chain team.
Oversight and visibility of innovation in the development, delivery, and implementation of category strategies to meet the future needs of the NHS leading to increased market share and the delivery of better Patient outcomes and ability to adhere to clinical best practice guidelines.
Provide specialist advice on the interpretation and application of policies and procedures, resolving complex or contentious queries and issues and enabling others to take appropriate actions.
Develop and maintain oversight of a Horizon scanning pathway, aligned to NHSEI AAC priorities, which stimulate problem solving approach from suppliers to develop innovative products that solve a specified need in the NHS driven by stakeholders’ requirements.
Assists with Supplier improvement strategies that support the business segment’s needs (SRM)
Ensure alignment to and with the overarching Supplier Relationship Management strategy, framework, and roles within.
Prioritise own workflow and ensure work is completed to the required standards.
of productivity, quality, and timeliness; use performance management systems to
improve personal performance.
Makes sense of complex, high quantity, and sometimes contradictory information
to effectively solve problems. For example, questioning through coaching to help
others get to the heart of complex situations and find strong solutions. Uses a
range of inputs to fully understand and solve problems.
What skills, qualifications, and qualities do I need to be successful?
Educated to Degree level or equivalent with knowledge and experience of relevant specialism (with or without qualification).
Desirable – An extensive level of clinical and/or procurement knowledge within the care delivery landscape
Experience in Microsoft Office
Project Management – desirable
Comprehensive Analytical skills
Clear understanding of the standard process for innovation, strategy direction and linkages into DHSC Medtech Strategy, NHSE and wider NHS family and stakeholder intentions and needs with innovation.
Demonstrable experience required in an associated discipline (healthcare, MedTech, procurement)
Demonstrate ability to influence effectively at the most senior levels in public and private sector organisations.
A proven track record of achievement in delivering projects/ health outcomes on time.
Proven ability to influence strategic thinking.
Relevant experience of risk management, corporate governance and quality management systems.
Excellent communication and facilitation, – ideal for driving group discussions, idea generation, problem solving, and consensus forming activities.
Capacity to drive change whilst continuing to deliver business, team and personal objectives.
High levels of energy to succeed with a strong, positive sense of purpose and commitment to excellence.
Ability to work both independently and as part of a team across all levels within the business.
How you’ll work
Hybrid working; a blend of home and office working 2/3 days in the office and 2/3 days at home.
In return for your passion, enthusiasm, and hard work you will be rewarded with an attractive salary and benefits package, consisting of:
Performance led annual bonus scheme.
27 days holiday plus bank holidays, with the option to purchase up to an additional 5 days.
Generous contributory pension scheme (up to 6% employee / 12% employer contributions of your base salary)
Access to Flexible Benefits Scheme – you will be able to choose from a variety of benefits such Life Insurance, Critical Illness Cover, Income Protection, Health Cash Plan, Dental Insurance and additional pension contributions that suit you.
2 days paid Volunteering Leave
1 day paid Wellbeing Leave
Long Service Awards
Access to the Blue Light Card and NHS Discounts
Flexible working options
National Annual season ticket purchase scheme
Eye Care vouchers
Access to a free 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme
NHS Supply Chain, who are we?
We are a part of the NHS family, and our role is to source, deliver and supply healthcare products, services and food for NHS trusts and healthcare organisations across England and Wales. We make sure the products we supply are always safe, quality assured and delivered efficiently.
We’re always listening to the people who use our products, so that we’re aware of the changing needs across the NHS. In all, we serve every NHS Trust and operate a national network of distribution centres. We also manage relationships with more than a thousand suppliers, delivering more than 8,000,000 orders each year to more than 17,000 locations.
And by doing all of this on behalf of the NHS, this gives NHS staff more time to focus on their main priority of proving excellent patient care.
Our, Purpose, Vision and Strategy are clear. We provide direction, leadership, and commercial focus to improve health outcomes.
Vision: To make it easier for the NHS to put patients first
Purpose: Our role is to support the NHS to save lives and improve health
Values:
Be Authentic
Be Inclusive
Be Driven
Be Enterprising
Be The Difference
Other Information
SCCL is a not an NHS organisation, you will join on SCCL terms and conditions.
For more information on SCCL and the NHS Supply chain please visit: www.supplychain.nhs.uk
For an informal discussion about the role in confidence please email us at Careers@supplychain.nhs.uk
NHS Supply Chain is an equal opportunities employer