At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead procurement strategies and manage high-value contracts for public sector projects.
- Company: Join Scotland Excel, a leading centre of procurement expertise in the public sector.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, generous holiday allowance, and flexible working options.
- Other info: Access to extensive training and career development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on local communities through strategic procurement and sustainable practices.
- Qualifications: Experience in procurement and strong negotiation skills are essential.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Overview
Scotland Excel is continuing to experience a growing demand for our capability as a centre of procurement expertise for public sector, from local authorities across Scotland and other organisations in the public domain. We are currently recruiting for two Senior Procurement Specialists within our Contract Delivery and Flexible Procurement teams.
- Position: Senior Procurement Specialist (x2)
- Location: Paisley (or as agreed)
- Contract: 1 x Permanent and 1 x Fixed Term
- Closing Date: 19 October 2025, 23:59
Ref: 102545 - Senior Procurement Specialist - Contract Delivery
(Permanent, 35 hours per week)
This role offers an exciting opportunity within the Construction division of the Contract Delivery team, supporting operational leadership and overseeing both current contract plans and future procurement pipelines. The postholder will drive commercial excellence through strategic sourcing, manage a diverse portfolio of high-value contracts, and ensure compliance with relevant legislation and policies. Key responsibilities include leading User Intelligence Groups, negotiating with suppliers, developing procurement strategies, managing tender processes, and preparing performance reports. The role also involves coordinating team efforts, implementing continuous improvement, supporting sustainable procurement practices, and analysing price variation requests to meet local authority objectives effectively.
Ref: 115256 - Senior Procurement Specialist - Flexible Procurement
(Fixed term for 24 months, 35 hours per week)
The Flexible Procurement Services team at Scotland Excel operates in a unique, client-facing environment, delivering local contracts for individual public bodies rather than national collaborative agreements. This role emphasizes customer relations and procurement best practices, requiring a solid understanding of public sector procurement regulations and the ability to adapt to various organisational procedures. Experience in Category C procurement is beneficial, as the team handles tenders across diverse areas including IT, construction, facilities management, HR/finance, social care, consultancy, and environmental services—though contract management is not part of the remit. Key responsibilities include managing a wide portfolio of contracts, ensuring compliance with relevant legislation and internal policies, developing sourcing strategies, supporting sustainable procurement, coordinating team activities, and contributing to HR policy implementation, all while maintaining high standards of service delivery and stakeholder engagement.
About Scotland Excel
Scotland Excel is an award-winning Centre of Procurement Expertise providing a wide range of procurement, commissioning, consultancy, and learning and development services for our members.
Since 2008, we have helped to establish procurement as an effective driver for local and national economic growth and wellbeing. Our £2bn portfolio of collaborative contracts supports the delivery of savings, social value, community benefits, fair work practices and environmental policy, and covers a wide range of public services including construction, roads, transport, environment, corporate and education.
Scotland Excel also develops and manages arrangements which support the commissioning of care services for children and adults. Our national care contracts are developed in partnership with care professionals, including care providers, to support person-centred outcomes embedded within national policy.
We also provide procurement and consultancy services to help our members get the most from their procurement resources, ranging from ad-hoc tendering support through to transformation programmes and strategic procurement partnerships.
The Scotland Excel Academy offers applied learning programmes leading to accredited qualifications in procurement, leadership and management, coaching and mentoring, project management and business analysis, as well as short courses and workshops.
Scotland Excel is a non-profit organisation working with members from across the public sector including local authorities, health and social care partnerships, housing associations, and other public and third sector organisations.
What we can offer you
As well as a competitive salary, you will have:
- Access to a defined benefits pension with Strathclyde Pension Fund. Current combined contribution of employee and employer varies depending on earnings but can be between 24-32%
- A generous holiday allowance of 33 days including public holidays. This increases on a sliding scale up to an additional ten days subject to length of service
- Flexible working opportunities including hybrid working and a nine-day fortnight
- Access to staff discounts through Vivup employee benefit platform
- Time off during office closure over Christmas and New Year (included in holiday allowance)
- Our commitment to employee engagement including regular corporate and team events as recently recognised by us retaining Gold Investors In People Award
- A wealth of training opportunities including from our own award-winning Academy
How to apply
Visit our website where you can view more details on each of the posts and apply online.
Closing Date: Midnight on Sunday 19th October 2025.
Interviews: Week commencing 3rd November 2025.
Senior Procurement Specialist (x2) in Paisley employer: EVH
Scotland Excel is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in Paisley that fosters professional growth and development. With a strong commitment to employee engagement, competitive benefits including generous holiday allowances and flexible working options, and access to an award-winning Academy for continuous learning, Scotland Excel empowers its staff to excel in their procurement careers while making a meaningful impact in the public sector.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Procurement Specialist (x2) in Paisley
✨Get Savvy with Industry Perks
Join procurement and purchasing forums or groups where pros hang out, like CIPS (Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply). They'll share the inside scoop on job openings that might not show up on traditional job boards!
✨Show Off Your Skills
Consider creating a portfolio that outlines your achievements in procurement, like cost-saving initiatives or supplier management strategies. Having tangible evidence of your skills can really set you apart when applying to companies like EVH.
✨Tap into Your Network
Leverage LinkedIn to connect with professionals in procurement—follow relevant hashtags, join groups, and engage in discussions. This is a great way to get noticed by potential employers before they even post a job!
✨Keep Your Eyes on Job Boards
With full-time positions, timing can be everything. Set alerts on job boards specifically for procurement roles. Don't wait for a job posting to close; apply through our website as soon as you see a fit—being proactive can give you the edge!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Procurement Specialist (x2) in Paisley
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Procurement Know-How:When you're crafting your CV, make sure to highlight any procurement-specific skills you've got. Talk about your experience with supplier negotiations, cost analysis, or inventory management. If you’ve used software like SAP or Oracle, don’t forget to mention that too – it shows you know your way around the tech side of things!
Quantify Your Achievements:In procurement, numbers matter. Use your CV and cover letter to showcase any quantifiable achievements you've made in reducing costs or improving efficiencies. For example, mentioning that you helped save 20% on purchasing costs last year is way more impressive than just saying you managed the budget!
Tailor Your Cover Letter to EVH:Your cover letter should read like you’re chatting directly to EVH. Research the company’s procurement strategy, mention how your skills align with their goals, and share your enthusiasm for contributing to their success. This personal touch can really set you apart from the crowd!
Professional Certs Can Go a Long Way:If you've got any procurement-related certifications, such as CIPS or APICS, make sure they're front and centre on your CV. These qualifications show you're serious about your career in procurement and are committed to continuous learning. It’s a great way to signal your expertise and dedication to potential employers like EVH.
How to prepare for a job interview at EVH
✨Show Off Your Negotiation Skills
In procurement, strong negotiation skills are key. Be ready to share examples of past negotiations where you've successfully saved costs or improved supplier terms. We want to hear how you approached those situations and the strategies you used to achieve positive outcomes!
✨Know Your Tools
Make sure you’re familiar with procurement software and tools commonly used in the industry, such as SAP Ariba or Coupa. Come prepared to discuss any experiences you've had with these tools or similar platforms, as we need someone who can hit the ground running at EVH!
✨Understand Market Trends
As a procurement professional, being aware of market trends can set you apart. Brush up on recent developments in supply chain management or procurement best practices and think about how they could impact your role at EVH. Bringing a current perspective will show your enthusiasm for the industry.
✨Demonstrate Your Team Player Attitude
A full-time position means you'll be working closely with various teams. Be prepared to discuss how you collaborate with others, manage conflicts, and build relationships with stakeholders. Sharing anecdotes about past teamwork experiences will highlight your ability to fit into EVH's culture.
