Category Buyer - Fixed Term Contract

Who are we? 

Newmedica are one of the leading providers of NHS ophthalmology services in England, providing outpatients appointments, diagnostic testing and eye surgery.  We aim to change lives through better sight and eye health.    

We care for thousands of NHS and private patients a year in our specialist eye clinics across the country.  

We are thrilled to say that following an independently conducted survey of Newmedica colleagues to tell us what it’s like to work here, we have been certified as a Great Place to Work for the third-year running. The feedback has directly contributed to Newmedica being listed among the UK’s top 50 Best Workplaces™ for 2025. 

Role Overview

We have an exciting opportunity for a Category Buyer to to join our Procurement team on a fixed term basis for 12 months. This is a remote role with some travel to our suppliers, clinics and offices in Nottingham and London.

This is a pivotal role responsible for securing the continued supply of goods and services across our clinical and non‑clinical operations, ensuring Newmedica receives optimum value from its supplier base.

This role offers substantial autonomy and influence. You will work with stakeholders across the organisation to define requirements, source suppliers, negotiate commercial terms, and manage supplier relationships — all with a focus on achieving cost savings, improving value, and supporting the future strategy of the procurement function.

What Will I Be Doing?

In this role, you will develop procurement and negotiation strategies and lead the negotiations required to achieve agreed commercial goals. You will analyse spend and performance data to identify opportunities that deliver cost savings or risk‑reduction benefits for Newmedica.

Working closely with stakeholders across the business, you will define supplier requirements and manage competitive selection processes to ensure the best commercial outcomes. You will also negotiate and draft robust supplier contracts in collaboration with project stakeholders and the Group Legal team.

As part of your responsibilities, you will prepare and present recommended sourcing strategies, their associated benefits, and implementation plans to senior leaders. In addition, you will support initiatives that reduce total inventory while maintaining continuity of service, and you will cultivate strong ongoing relationships with suppliers.

You will make use of insight and data from Newmedica’s stock management system to drive product efficiencies, rationalise ranges, and support the achievement of category strategies. As an advocate for Procurement, you will help elevate the function’s influence across the organisation.

What Skills and Experience Do I Need?

To be successful in this role, you should have experience managing procurement categories in a way that clearly delivers financial and non‑financial benefits. You will be able to identify and mitigate commercial risks using a range of techniques, including sourcing strategy development, negotiation, and benchmarking.

Strong interpersonal and influencing skills are essential, along with a sound understanding of supplier contracts. You should be confident in analysing purchasing data to identify commercial opportunities and experienced in managing contract negotiations.

We are looking for someone who is capable of working effectively with cross‑functional stakeholders and is comfortable operating with autonomy in a remote environment. The ability to build rapport with senior stakeholders, suppliers and colleagues will be key, and while not essential,  working towards CIPS qualification is preferred.

If you are shortlisted, you will be asked to complete a short video interview as the next stage of the process.

What we’re offering 

Up to £46,000 depending upon experience 

25 days annual leave plus bank holidays plus 1 day birthday leave

On target bonus of 15%

Group profit share scheme

A company pension scheme 

Private health and dental care

Access to a range of benefits including free eye tests, discounted or free glasses, a free 24/7 well-being/counselling/advice service and a retail/technology discount scheme. 

An environment where your learning and development is supported through a range of various learning tools and courses. 

Our employment offers are subject to receipt of satisfactory pre-employment checks. Applicants must have the right to work in the UK and a Disclosure and Barring Service check will be necessary in the event of a successful application which we will pay for. 

At Newmedica, we actively promote diversity and equal opportunities, and we are committed to this in both the running of our services and how we recruit our staff. We actively encourage applications from everyone with the essential requirements of the job, regardless of any protected characteristics. 

Newmedica is fully committed to safeguarding the welfare of all people, irrespective of gender, age, disability, sexual orientation, race, language, religion, ethnic or social origin.