At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage supplier relationships and ensure efficient procurement processes for our schools.
- Company: Join the vibrant ESMS family, a pioneer in education with over 300 years of legacy.
- Benefits: Enjoy generous holidays, enhanced sick pay, and access to fitness facilities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on education while developing your career in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in procurement and strong relationship management skills are essential.
- Other info: Be part of a community that values kindness, confidence, and innovation.
The predicted salary is between 25328 - 25328 ÂŁ per year.
Erskine Stewart’s Melville Schools are currently recruiting for a Procurement Officer to join the Finance Department on a permanent basis from May 2026 (subject to satisfactory pre‑employment checks). This is a permanent, part‑time role, working 29 hours per week (equivalent to 0.8FTE), with a pro rata salary of £25,328.
If you are a strong manager of key business stakeholder relationships and thrive in delivering key financial services to a high standard, this role could be for you. This is a key role responsible for ensuring the compliance and management of supplier relationships. The purpose of the role is to centralise procurement across the organisation for office suppliers, provisions, and materials whilst ensuring efficient processes are implemented and maintained.
The successful post holder will also be a key stakeholder in the delivery of high‑quality education and services by ensuring that all goods, works and services are procured efficiently, ethically, and sustainably in line with the School’s financial regulations and strategic objectives. The successful candidate will have experience creating and preparing reports and financial information and is able to create policies and procedures which support centralised procurement. Proven experience in leading process improvements is essential whilst working in an education environment and supporting teaching and professional staff is desirable.
Eligibility: ESMS is unable to sponsor the employment of international workers in this role. International applicants will therefore be unable to apply for and secure a Skilled Worker visa. The successful candidate will only be able to take up this role if they can demonstrate an alternative right to work in the UK.
Benefits: Staff are offered a range of benefits including:
- Generous holiday allowance
- Enhanced sick pay
- Family friendly policies
- Use of the Schools’ swimming pool and fitness room outside school hours
- Membership of the ESMS Discount and Benefits Scheme, including a range of discounts at 130,000 retail and entertainment locations
Employees get access to a range of additional benefits including:
- Fee remission from Nursery to S6
- Free school lunches
- Free Sports’ Club membership, including access to pool and fitness suites
- Generous pension
- Death in service benefit
- Family friendly policies, including enhanced maternity leave
- Employee Assistance Service
- Cycle to work scheme
- Car leasing salary sacrifice scheme
- Annual professional review process
- Regular salary reviews
- Funding towards professional qualifications
Values: We are looking for individuals who can embody and promote ESMS values of Kindness, Confidence, Resilience, Integrity, and Curiosity while role‑modeling behaviours in line with our school pillars of Ambition, Innovation, and Community. ESMS is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. Applicants must undergo child protection screening, including checks with past employers and Disclosure Scotland. All staff working at ESMS have direct access to young people therefore all posts within the school are considered exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.
About ESMS: Welcome to the ESMS, a vibrant family of independent schools, set in beautiful grounds in the heart of Edinburgh. We offer a co‑educational nursery and junior school, single‑sex but closely twinned secondary education, and a co‑educational sixth form. We are a consistently award‑winning School, with an educational legacy that stretches back more than 300 years. Our Schools have always been pioneers of rounded education. Children’s education is underpinned by our values: kindness, confidence, resilience, integrity and curiosity. From virtual reality headsets in the classroom to developing one of the first outdoor learning programmes in Scotland, we are always searching for new ways to develop the whole child. The people that work for us are passionate, pioneering and strive for excellence in everything they do. We value the incredible contributions they make to school life, we invest in their careers and we support their ambitions so they flourish professionally and personally.
Enquiries: Any enquiries about this position should be directed to the ESMS Recruitment Team at recruitment@esms.org.uk.
Closing date for applications: The closing date for applications is 12pm on Friday 10 April, 2026. We anticipate interviews will be held shortly after.
PROCUREMENT OFFICER employer: ESMS: Erskine Stewart's Melville Schools
Contact Detail:
ESMS: Erskine Stewart's Melville Schools Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land PROCUREMENT OFFICER
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the education sector or procurement field. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about job openings that aren't even advertised yet.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching ESMS and its values. Show us how you embody kindness, confidence, and integrity in your work. Tailor your examples to highlight your experience in procurement and stakeholder management.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Conduct mock interviews with friends or family. This will help you articulate your thoughts clearly and boost your confidence when discussing your procurement experience.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows us you’re genuinely interested in joining the ESMS family.
We think you need these skills to ace PROCUREMENT OFFICER
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your experience aligns with the role of Procurement Officer. Use keywords from the job description to show that you understand what we're looking for.
Showcase Your Skills: Don’t just list your skills; demonstrate them! Provide examples of how you've managed supplier relationships or improved procurement processes in your previous roles. We want to see your impact!
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use clear language and avoid jargon. We appreciate a well-structured application that’s easy to read and gets straight to the heart of your qualifications.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to submit your application through our website. It’s the best way to ensure it reaches us directly and is considered promptly. Plus, it’s super easy to do!
How to prepare for a job interview at ESMS: Erskine Stewart's Melville Schools
✨Know Your Procurement Stuff
Make sure you brush up on procurement principles and practices. Understand the specific needs of the role at Erskine Stewart’s Melville Schools, especially around compliance and supplier management. Being able to discuss how you've successfully managed supplier relationships in the past will really impress them.
✨Showcase Your Reporting Skills
Since the role involves creating reports and financial information, be prepared to talk about your experience in this area. Bring examples of reports you've created or improved, and be ready to explain how they contributed to better decision-making or process improvements.
✨Emphasise Your Values
ESMS is all about kindness, confidence, resilience, integrity, and curiosity. Think of examples from your past work where you've demonstrated these values. This will show that you not only fit the role but also align with their culture and ethos.
✨Prepare Questions
Interviews are a two-way street! Prepare thoughtful questions about the procurement processes at ESMS, their approach to sustainability, and how they support staff development. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you assess if it's the right fit for you.