As a procurement graduate trainee entering work directly from university, my biggest initial challenge when I joined the Hub was my lack of procurement knowledge. Through the Pathways 2 NHS Procurement graduate scheme training, studying for my Level 4 CIPS qualification and exceptional support from my colleagues, I developed the foundation I needed to lead to my first procurement project: Lift Systems for East Suffolk and North Essex Foundation Trust. This blog post shares my experience and key learnings that have shaped my early procurement career.
My career journey at the Hub has involved many invaluable learning opportunities which I will be able to apply in future projects. Firstly, understanding the ITT (invitation to tender) documentation including specifications and requirements and learning to navigate Atamis, our online tendering system, was essential. Throughout the process, I worked closely with my line manager, Patrick Pereira, who supported me in gaining the knowledge needed to tackle the
Stakeholder engagement emerged as a crucial aspect of the project. Through my apprenticeship, I learned to create a Mendelow Matrix for stakeholder mapping, which helped me visualise and manage key relationships effectively. Regular communication with stakeholders proved fundamental to the project’s success.
The first issue we encountered was a ‘semi-comprehensive contract’ within the specification, which could signify costly maintenance and repair bills in the future, given the age of the lifts. However, with Patrick’s guidance and collaborative teamwork, we quickly resolved this issue and got back on track. My strategy going into the project was to approach it with a curious mindset and to openly ask questions, as well as breaking down complex requirements into manageable components.
Furthermore, I led my first consensus evaluation meeting with the support of the head of our division, Simon Norden, which was a success. My previous experience supporting colleagues from the Estates, Digital and Transport team with their consensus meetings gave me the confidence and understanding to manage this effectively.
I have been able to use the knowledge I gained from this project on other procurements including Fire Doors and Building Management Systems (BMS) for Essex Partnership University Trust. Each experience has built my confidence and expanded my procurement knowledge.
Looking back, my first project has been transformative for my professional development as I have grown confidence around my skills in procurement. After completing these projects, I will continue my rotation to a different team and learn new systems. I’ve learned that every challenge presents an opportunity for growth, and I am excited for the new opportunities to come.