This month, we’re pleased to introduce Category Manager, Harry Taylor.
What is your background?
I’m actually fortunate enough to have a mixed experience of both procurement and sales. I started in procurement for my family business as soon as I finished sixth form and then took a job working in sales so that I could live with my girlfriend (now wife) during her university studies in London. When she finished and moved back home to Kent, I followed her and re-started my procurement career in private manufacturing.
After years of wanting to do more than simply ‘achieve financial numbers’, I finally moved into NHS procurement in December 2019. I started in a mental health trust which covered Kent, and then moved to a more senior role at Medway NHS Foundation Trust. I then joined NHS LPP as a Category Support Specialist before starting my role in the Workforce team as Category Manager. I’m lucky to have a very wide view and experience of procurement.
What is your role within the NHS Workforce Alliance and what does it involve?
I am working as a Category Manager – focusing on supporting trusts with following agency rules through various forms of engagement such as sharing best practices, challenging in a constructive way and providing solutions to their workforce problems.
Why are you passionate about this?
I’m passionate about creative problem solving, especially where the final benefits aren’t necessarily simply financial. During my various roles, I’ve worked with many different teams within the NHS and I’ve seen the impact that they’ve had for the general public – regardless of whether they’ve been patient facing or not. I’d like to hope that at the end of my working career I can quietly say I played my small part in that.
What is the greatest challenge you face at work?
Keeping myself organised during the increasing demand. I’ve always been really open with my ADHD diagnosis and it’s something that I have to put a particular extra focus on to ensure it doesn’t impact my work. This is especially difficult for me as I’m naturally somebody that wants to be involved in absolutely everything and I’ve had to learn my own human capabilities.
What was your first job and how has it impacted your career?
Technically, my first job was as a supporting tennis coach when I was a young teenager, but my first significant role was being in charge of procurement for my family’s business once I left school. I learnt a lot about business and, more importantly, strategic and long-term thinking from my dad but I also learnt that easy, familiar surroundings are not always the best for development and I’ve been comfortable out of my comfort zone ever since.
How would you spend a perfect day off?
I feel like I should state the obvious, at the risk of being cheesy, that it would be filling my day spent with my amazing wife and fantastic 17-month old son – whatever the activity, as long as it’s with them it’ll be perfect. Or playing 12 solid hours of Football Manager. Either/or!