Kimberley Kay: My Journey in Procurement
Every month, we highlight various teams in NOE CPC to showcase their skills and achievements and help you get to know them better. Today, we are proudly handing over the reins to Kimberley Kay, Category Procurement Specialist for Healthcare Services, so that she can share more about her remarkable commitment to developing her professional skill and industry understanding. Kimberley's journey is a testament to the many routes into procurement and becoming the expert that you can trust. Now over to Kimberley…
My career in procurement began in the stores department of an NHS organisation, as a Logistics Operative. Previously I’d had numerous jobs in the private sector, which were great for life experience but didn’t give me that sense of giving back that I was looking for. My choice to move into the public sector was heavily influenced by my mum, who from early on in my career had encouraged me to seek a more fulfilling career path.
While working as a Logistics Operative and booking in deliveries, I realised that 'actual people' were placing these orders on behalf of the Trust, so when an internal secondment opportunity came up in the procurement team I jumped at the opportunity and successfully secured the eProcurement Buyer role. Since then, I haven't looked back, I've gone on to hold various positions, including IT Procurement Assistant, Clinical Procurement Specialist, Clinical Procurement Manager, and my current role here at NOE CPC.
I have always been resourceful and driven, and love to learn, not only to keep up to date with changes in this industry, but because I get a huge sense of achievement from learning new things and improving my skills. As such, in my career working for the NHS, I have earned over 60 CPD certifications in Administration, Finance, Management, and Procurement.
Professional certifications
Since starting at NOE CPC I have taken part in workshops focusing on the regulations for the Procurement Act 2023 (PA23) and the Provider Selection Regime 2023 (PSR) among many others. I regularly attend legal webinars to keep up to date and help further my understanding of the intricacies of the PSR regulations and their impact on our organisation as an accredited framework host.
I had the privilege of officially launching NOE CPC’s first-ever PSR-compliant framework, Advocacy Services for Health and Social Care, which was incredibly rewarding and has significantly enhanced my ability to provide valuable guidance and support to our customers.
Essential skills
As a mixed-race woman working in NHS procurement, attending EDI training has been essential in shaping my understanding of the diverse needs of both colleagues and service users. Over the years, I have taken part in a range of important sessions, including:
- Let’s Talk About Race in the Workplace
- Inclusion Essentials
- Inclusive Language and Communication
- Mental Health Awareness
- The Impact of Micro-behaviours
- Equality and Diversity
- Emotional Intelligence.
These training sessions have not only deepened my awareness of the challenges faced by underrepresented groups but also strengthened my ability to contribute to a more inclusive and respectful workplace. In a system as vital and diverse as the NHS, ongoing EDI learning is not just important, but essential for fair, informed, and compassionate decision-making, and I will continue to be a voice in these discussions, striving for a truly inclusive future.
Being an advocate for work based learning
With such an eagerness to learn and following discussions with my line manager at STH, I was encouraged to participate in the CIPS Level 4 Diploma. I was super excited to get started on this qualification and mostly enjoyed the experience, with the minor exception of the exams! I moved to NOE CPC halfway through this qualification and they supported me to complete it. Despite feeling confident in the content – and my understanding of it – I still had self-doubt and an overwhelming fear of failure. When I found out I had passed my exams, it taught me the valuable lesson of having faith in my own capabilities. I now proudly display my certificate to look at whenever I feel self-doubt, to remind myself, I can do this!
This month (April 2025), I began my CIPS Advanced Practitioner Corporate Award and aim to achieve full MCIPS by late 2026. I chose to continue my CIPS journey because it is a globally recognised qualification that will provide credibility and recognition of my procurement career and I consider it to be a significant personal accomplishment.
Industry recognition
Through a combination of this qualification and my membership with The Health Care Supply Association (HCSA), I had the privilege of participating in the HCSA Procurement Development Programme, and was delighted to win the prestigious Lord Philip Hunt Award for April 2024. This achievement has led to my permanent membership in the Future Leaders Network, further enhancing my aspirations to contribute to innovative leadership skills and broadening my impact within the NHS.
It goes without saying that throughout all of my training and development the team at NOE CPC, and those from my previous trusts, have been incredibly supportive of my development. They consistently encourage my ambition and provided valuable guidance on a daily basis. Their unwavering support has been instrumental in my growth, and I am grateful for the collaborative and nurturing environment that has helped me thrive.
If you or a colleague are looking to embark on your own development journey my advice would be to put the work in, because it will be worth it in the end!
On a more practical level I would recommend using the support that is offered to you. If you have the opportunity to participate in workshops for the CIPS modules, don't hesitate to ask the tutors questions. If workshops aren't an option, make sure you have a strong support system among your colleagues and don't be afraid to seek their guidance. Don't let the fear of studying and achieving qualifications through employment hold you back.
I didn't attend university, and I always secretly worried that it would limit my success. However, I am now on my way to achieving an industry specific and highly recognised qualification that is comparable to a bachelor's degree with honours.
I don’t see this as the end of my journey, my future aspirations include continuing to advance in the field of procurement, engaging with stakeholders across the public sector, and creating a unified, forward-thinking approach to healthcare service commissioning that supports patients and the wider public.
Watch our short video of Kimberley's full training timeline on the NOE CPC LinkedIn: Kimberley Kay: My Journey in Procurement