Meet our new Supplier Relationship Managers
The relationship between the NHS and suppliers in the market is more important than ever before. Supplier relationship management is a strategic objective for NOE CPC; and forms part of our overall vision to strive toward delivering unrivalled value as an integral partner to the NHS. In order to support this NOE CPC have recruited two supplier relationship managers.
Building positive supplier relationships works both ways. It helps us to develop a sustainable supply chain, build unrivalled knowledge of the supply markets in the category areas we specialise in, and actively manage and minimise supply risks on behalf of our NHS customers. The advantages for suppliers include building strong working relationships with the NHS and sharing new and innovative products and supply solutions with the healthcare industry.
NOE CPC Procurement Director, Stephen Sercombe said: “We want to build productive working relationships with both our existing and new suppliers; they play a vital part in ensuring a functioning and successful NHS.
“Our suppliers help us make changes and improvements that impact on patient care, the NHS Net Zero target, and social value. Developing a sustainable local and regional supplier base has positive local economic and health impacts for our communities”.
NOE CPC has created two Supplier Relationship Manager roles covering three primary category areas: i) Technology (ICT), ii) FM, Property and Business Services, and iii) Healthcare Services and Pharmacy. These roles will help achieve our goal of working more closely with the NHS supplier base and form part of our long-term aspiration to build supplier relationships to achieve our strategic aims.
Leo Shippam joined our team in March 2022 as a Supplier Relationship Manager for our Technology (ICT) and Healthcare Services categories after spending several years in the private sector. Following the pandemic, he decided he wanted to make a difference by applying his skills within the NHS.
Leo said: “After a couple of months at NOE CPC I can tell that people here have a lot of pride in what they do, and I hope I can use my knowledge and experience to make a difference.
“The people and the culture are what attracted me to the role in the first place and I hope to use these to anchor the approach of the supplier relationship management and to build strong and lasting relationships between our framework suppliers and NOE CPC.”
Ruth Burns joined the team in June 2022 as a Supplier Relationship Manager for the FM, Property, Business Services, and Pharmacy categories. She started her career in the NHS before spending 30 years in commercial organisations.
She said: “I was looking for a role back in the NHS where I believed I could have a positive impact and having spent three decades in commercial roles I felt it was a great fit.
She added: “I am hoping the role will enhance the existing relationships to a true partnership with the supply network by having open and honest communication providing clarity to all parties, which will hopefully lead to innovative approaches to how we work with suppliers.”
Further information about the development of our Supplier Relationship Management function will be available via our newsletters, website, and social media over the coming months.