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by Will Mitten, Category Manager – Health NHS Shared Business Services. |
Five years ago, I was working full time at McDonalds, having started as an apprentice on the management scheme. Feedback was that I didn’t “have ketchup in my blood”. I was disappointed, but stayed on as crew trainer, making lots of friends and even more chicken nuggets!
Then came the Covid lockdown. I looked into what was next for me – it was clear that a life of chicken nuggets wasn’t to be. As the world shut down around us, it sparked an interest in me of how the world was going to continue operating and the agility many industries had to show to keep their logistics flowing. After a lot of research into my next steps, I was led on the path of applying for the Business Management with Logistics and Supply Chain Management (SCM) degree at Edge Hill University.
There were hundreds of business students at Edge Hill, but only seven of us on the specific Logistics and SCM course which helped me to form close bonds. As I progressed through the course, I developed a passion for purchasing, particularly the idea of negotiating different aspects of a contract and benchmarking different prices/products and the like. This informed my decision for choosing a ‘strategic purchasing’ module for my second and third year.
During the latter stages of second year, lecturers and advisors prompted us to start applying for job opportunities and graduate schemes. A former student on the same course shared his story since graduating, which included a place on the ‘Pathways to NHS Procurement graduate scheme at York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. He provided insights into applying for roles and encouraged us to look at the graduate scheme as a potential option.
Fortunately, I was successful in applying for a graduate scheme and joined NHS Shared Business Services (NHS SBS) in the health team in September 2023 as a trainee Category Buyer. I was embedded in the team and with the support and guidance of Kate Johnston, Senior Category Manager, and my “buddy” Mike Hughes, who had become a Category Manager earlier that year, and the wider team. I was given ample opportunity to learn and develop in the role.
I spent the first few weeks meeting the team, shadowing team members and quickly realised I had joined an inspiring team. I also signed up for one of the volunteering days, (we get three a year, which is a brilliant opportunity for us) which was a great way to meet even more colleagues in a less formal setting (although the Manchester October weather made some of the gardening and heavy lifting tasks tougher than anticipated!).
I grew in the role and was given the opportunity to shadow Adam Connell, another Category Manager on his Medical Gases Framework Agreement, before leading it myself from January 2024. Being given the responsibility to manage this framework agreement was a great boost in confidence, and I was able to apply learnings from the CIPS L4 course and teachings from the brilliant sessions delivered by the Pathways to NHS Procurement graduate scheme coordinators.
In spring of 2024, I spent some time with our Compliance and Quality Assurance team further boosting my knowledge and understanding of NHS SBS and upcoming legislation changes. A short stint shadowing the Sustainability and Social Value team in the summer also gave me a greater understanding of their impact and objectives for the remainder of the year. I have attended several conferences such as Procurex and HCSA, assisting on the NHS SBS’s stand, providing advice and support to customers and suppliers, something I wouldn’t have felt confident doing a year or so ago.
I had remained contract managing the Medical Gases Framework Agreement throughout this time, growing in confidence week by week. By the end of the year, we had commenced the framework agreement renewal, which provided the opportunity for me to lead the tender. Going through the process has been such a valuable experience for me and has given me great insight into what I see as my future career. Feedback I have been given along the project journey has always been positive, fair and honest and I have taken it onboard each time, continuing to build my skills and knowledge.
The graduate scheme itself is a route I would encourage anyone with an interest in procurement to consider, regardless of professional/educational background, as the amount of support and training provided can be real boost in setting you up for success. My journey on the graduate scheme ended in September 2025, and I have been successful in securing a permanent role as a Category Manager, something I am very proud of and grateful to have attained with the support of colleagues and the scheme coordinators. This has coincided with the outcome the Medical and Industrial Gases Framework Agreement renewal which is due to go live early in 2026. I am striving to continue the success of the existing framework agreement and the relationships I have developed with both suppliers and customers alike.
My journey from Maccies to Medical Gases has been an interesting one but “I’m lovin’ it”!
If you would like to hear more about the graduate scheme or the soon to be launched Medical and Industrial Gases Framework Agreement and how it can support your organisation, please get in touch.
