Head of Procurement - Fife College in Dunfermline

The Head of Procurement is responsible for contributing directly to the success of Fife College, which is one of the largest colleges in Scotland. It has five campuses located across Fife: Dunfermline, Kirkcaldy, Glenrothes, Levenmouth and Rosyth. This is an exciting time to join the College, with the newly opened, state-of-the-art Dunfermline City Campus - carefully designed to provide learners with the best possible experience and facilities for their course. It is also the first major development to adopt the Scottish Government's Net Zero Public Sector Buildings Standard.

This role presents a unique opportunity to collaborate strategically with a strong, pragmatic senior leadership team across a wide range of areas — from Estates and Digital to Professional Services. The postholder will have the College Services: East Team to lean on — a collaborative, experienced, and friendly bunch who are always happy to share best practice.

The prospective Head of Procurement should have demonstrable experience of working within a procurement role with some autonomy, and have relevant tendering experience with appropriate knowledge of EU / Scottish procurement regulations. Of paramount importance are excellent stakeholder management, organisational and communication skills.

The post holder will be required to utilise techniques of cost reduction, supplier selection and demand management, along with production/leverage of enhanced management information, market intelligence and advanced supplier/contract management techniques including monitoring and delivery of improvements in ethical/social and environmental aspects and continue to maintain APUC's position as a leading Centre of Procurement Expertise.

• Establish & Maintain Procurement Strategy (statutory duty) and the annual Procurement Report (statutory duty).
• Manage senior & operational and key centrally managed supplier relationships.
• Support directly employed by Fife College (FC) staff involved in procurement (if/as required).
• Coordinate (not direct reporting line) a procurement network within FC of people involved in devolved operation procurement activity / procurement process gatekeeping.
• Undertake appropriate spend analysis activity and manage tendering of institution wide specific supplies/services where either the Procurement Manager believes there to be significant benefit for FC or where proposed by FC senior management.
• Undertake / oversee (as appropriate) Contract & Supplier management in partnership with stakeholders across FC.
• Develop & Facilitate procurement processes based on the "Procurement Journey" and provide operational guidance for/to those involved in lower value procurement exercises below formal tender levels.
• Enshrine robust and relevant sustainable procurement principles in the way that procurement at FC supply chain is managed, within the Framework of (currently) EU procurement directives, Scot-Gov, UK-Gov CE declarations and the sectors adherence to the Climate Commission targets.
• Implement the Sustain Supply Chain Code of Conduct and the Scottish Government Sustainable Procurement Duty.
• Plan and deliver FC focussed procurement awareness training.
• Provide the key link between FC and the APUC collaborative procurement team and for facilitating the implementation of suitable framework agreements.
• Represent FC on the sector-wide Procurement Strategy Group, and contribute to sector-wide joint initiatives in relation to procurement on behalf of FC.
• Undertake a contract sweep and populate and manage ongoing the Hunter contract register, contract update tools etc.
• Undertake statutory reporting for FC and routine reporting within FC.
• In relation to aspects of procurement related law and procedures which may require judgement applied on risk, or fall into higher-risk present "grey" areas, they would provide an options appraisal for FC in order to make an informed judgement.

• Have effective and highly responsive customer management skills.
• Be of high intellectual calibre, with the highest ethical standards.
• Membership of the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply or working towards this (preferred).
• Have the essential competencies of clarity of purpose, self-confidence, integrity with strong influencing ability.
• Have knowledge of Scottish/UK purchasing legislation as it relates to the HE/FE sector.
• Demonstrate sound commercial acumen.

• Have proven organisational skills and be capable of meeting demanding targets and deadlines on a day-to-day basis.
• Have extensive procurement experience including the management of end-to-end tender processes, contract drafting and negotiation and contract management.
• Experience in production and manipulation of procurement related data and production of management reports.
• Advanced data manipulation skills and the ability to use financial models.

The post holder must build strong working relationships with relevant stakeholders and develop the reputation of APUC as a source of expert guidance and support both to institutional customers and suppliers; and, must be able to influence, negotiate and achieve consensus with clients, colleagues and contractors. They must maintain a positive, supportive, can-do attitude at all times and be a role model for less senior staff.

Advanced Procurement for Universities and Colleges (APUC) is the Centre of Procurement Expertise for, and owned jointly by, all of Scotland's Universities and Colleges. With collaboration, responsibility, and integrity at the heart of what we do, we're all about helping our member institutions achieve their objectives, whether you are putting together Framework Agreements, reducing the sector's carbon emissions or working directly in one of our client institutions.

Joining APUC means joining a community of peers, and getting the chance to get together often and having network opportunities throughout the year. Peer support and collaboration is integral to who we are at APUC.

We currently employ around 90 people, most of whom are based within Colleges and Universities but with some based in our regional offices in Stirling (HQ), Glasgow and Edinburgh.

We aim to provide a work life balance for colleagues and offer flexible work options for all including flexible start and end times and options to take longer or shorter lunches as preferred. Full time hours are 35 hours per week and can be compressed to work either 4.5 days per week, 9 days per fortnight (so a long weekend every 2 weeks) or work 5 x 7 hour days per week.

Hybrid working - the role is flexible but will require on-site attendance at Fife College's Dunfermline Campus (KY11 8SJ). Talk to us about what your preferences are - we can be flexible!

Your holiday entitlement (given in hours) is equivalent of the total of 26 x 7 hour days and 14 x 7 hour fixed and floating days which will be pro rated for part time hours to cover bank holidays and the festive break. We are closed for the festive period (between Christmas and New Year) and Good Friday and Easter Monday. Every year!

You will be automatically enrolled into our pension scheme and our Group Life Assurance which is based on your annual salary from day 1 of employment. We offer enhanced maternity, paternity, and shared parental pay (subject to eligibility criteria).

Wellbeing activities and events are organised throughout the year in accordance with key national mental and physical health awareness dates. Career development is important to us and all staff have regular performance reviews and there is a variety of funding options to enable staff to pursue professional and leadership qualifications, as well as other learning and development opportunities such as access to our Procurement Skills Development Programme and internal workshops.

Cycle-to-work schemes are available with Cycle Solutions and Halfords (maximum value of £3,000). Retail and gym membership discounts & offers with access to our mydiscounts portal.

Home & Technology benefit is an affordable way of accessing new technology by making savings on National Insurance. Products include tablets, laptops, desktops, SmartTV's, games consoles along with garden furniture and equipment, home improvement tools and more.

Access to Scotwest Credit Union which offers a range of affordable loans, mortgages and savings accounts. We have an Employee Wellbeing Policy and Annual Plan, a team of trained Mental Health First Aiders, and all of our people managers are trained in providing support for employees experiencing mental health issues. Our EAP (Employee Assistance Programme) can be accessed through an online portal which gives access to a library of health and wellbeing articles, as well as allowing you to book counselling sessions.

We have an Employee Representative and Consultation Group, who meet quarterly. We regularly ask for feedback in a variety of ways at company events or through surveys.

Send your CV and covering letter, noting your current salary level and notice period.