Category Manager, Medical Equipment Lead

MISSION Neko is redefining what prevention means, from treating illness when it arrives, to sustaining health before it's ever at risk. Our mission: make data-driven, preventative care accessible to more people, before symptoms appear. In a single, non-invasive visit under an hour, proprietary technology and direct clinical care combine to deliver personalised, actionable insights. It's a team that thinks in 10x, not 10%. Every role here plays a part in building a world where prevention is the norm, and where your work genuinely helps people live longer, healthier lives. ROLE PURPOSE We are seeking a specialist Category Manager to lead the strategic procurement of medical equipment for Neko Health globally. This is a senior role that will shape Neko's procurement strategy for third-party medical devices and capital equipment – one of the most critical and regulated spend categories in the business. The role requires a unique blend of procurement expertise and medical device market knowledge. The ideal candidate will bring a background in healthcare or medical technology environments, with direct experience procuring blood laboratory equipment, cardiovascular diagnostic devices, ultrasound systems, or related capital medical equipment. They will be expected to manage complex multi-party supplier relationships, navigate regulatory requirements, and lead strategic sourcing initiatives that directly support Neko Health's clinical proposition. WHAT YOU'LL DO IN THE FIRST 6-12 MONTHS - Develop and own the global procurement strategy for Neko Health's medical equipment categories, including but not limited to: blood laboratory analysers, ultrasound systems, cardiovascular diagnostic equipment, ECG devices, and ancillary medical hardware. - Manage strategic supplier relationships for third-party medical device manufacturers and distributors, acting as the primary procurement interface for key partners. - Lead the end-to-end sourcing process for medical equipment, including market analysis, RFP development, supplier evaluation, commercial negotiation, and contract award. - Drive value for money through multi-year supply agreements, bulk purchase strategies, direct manufacturer partnerships, and co-development or co-investment opportunities. - Lead commercial negotiations with medical device suppliers, balancing cost, quality, service levels, and regulatory compliance requirements. - Manage supplier contracts through their full lifecycle including execution, performance monitoring, renewals, and terminations. - Collaborate closely with the Engineering, Manufacturing, and Clinical teams to understand equipment performance requirements, quality standards, and regulatory specifications including MDR and FDA requirements. - Support the Generation 2 (Gen 2) equipment programme and new product introduction (NPI) activities requiring procurement engagement. - Develop and maintain procurement playbooks for the medical equipment category, including device selection criteria, supplier qualification frameworks, and contract templates. - Monitor the medical device market for technology developments, pricing trends, regulatory changes, and emerging suppliers to inform Neko's medium-term equipment strategy. - Manage and monitor supplier performance against agreed service levels, quality KPIs, and delivery commitments. - Create and manage Purchase Orders in compliance with internal policies and approval authorities. - Manage the full logistics lifecycle for medical equipment, including international shipping, customs clearance, and last-mile delivery to manufacturing and clinic sites. - Prepare reports and dashboards to track category performance, cost savings, and strategic milestones. MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS - Proven experience in strategic procurement in the medical device, healthcare technology, or life sciences sector. - Direct experience procuring capital medical equipment – blood laboratory systems, ultrasound, cardiovascular diagnostics, or equivalent categories – is essential. - Background or formal training in a medical, biomedical, or clinical sciences discipline is highly desirable. - Strong understanding of source-to-contract activities in regulated environments, including familiarity with EU MDR, ISO 13485, and FDA requirements as they relate to supplier qualification and device procurement. - Demonstrated ability to manage complex, multi-stakeholder supplier relationships with global medical device OEMs. - Commercial acumen with a track record of delivering measurable cost savings and contract value in capital equipment categories. - Proficiency in Microsoft 365 and ERP systems. - Excellent communication, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills. - Ability to work across time zones and travel internationally as required. - CIPS or equivalent professional procurement certification is a plus.