Senior Procurement Specialist

• Lead the development, planning and implementation of procurement strategies for high-value, high-risk procurements
• Optimise value for money for customers
• Lead and manage all stages of the end-to-end public sector procurement process, from conception and strategy development through procurement delivery to contract award
• Ensure compliance with public procurement legislation and Scottish Government procurement policies
• Address the Sustainable Procurement Duty and contribute to the government’s sustainability agenda
• Build professional commercial relationships with customers, colleagues and external markets
• Manage suppliers and advise customers on contractual agreements and options using contract and market knowledge
• Manage multiple activities and projects concurrently
• Support procurement initiatives aligned with NRS’s Procurement Strategy objectives
• Represent NRS with suppliers and stakeholders and monitor commercial targets
• Work flexibly across the organisation to deliver Directorate and Corporate Plan objectives
• Report to the Procurement and Contract Services Portfolio Manager
• Potentially undertake staff management responsibilities in future

Requirements

• CIPS Level 5 Advanced Diploma, WCC Advanced Practitioner Certification or relevant equivalent
• Commitment to continuous professional development and external advanced-level professional accreditation, or commitment to attaining accreditation once in post
• Proven track record delivering the full end-to-end public procurement cycle, including sourcing strategy development, tendering, and contract and supplier management
• Established interpersonal, influencing and stakeholder management skills
• Experience building and maintaining relationships at all levels and collaborating with internal and external colleagues
• Commercial Competence and Business Acumen – Level 3: Practitioner
• Legislation – Level 4: Expert
• Contract Law and Terms and Conditions – Level 3: Practitioner
• Making Effective Decisions – Level 3
• Communicating and Influencing – Level 3
• Delivering at Pace – Level 3
• Must complete Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) checks before appointment
• Must have existing and ongoing right to work in the UK; Skilled Worker sponsorship is unavailable
• CV and supporting statement of no more than 1000 words required
• Must provide truthful, factually accurate application statements and examples based on own experience

Core Competencies

Demonstrates expertise in leading end-to-end public procurement processes, ensuring compliance with legislation and optimizing value for money. Strong ability to build relationships and manage suppliers while contributing to sustainability initiatives.

Highest-signal resume keywords

• CIPS Level 5 Advanced Diploma
• End-to-End Public Procurement Cycle
• Commercial Competence and Business Acumen
• Stakeholder Management
• Contract Law and Terms and Conditions

Hard Skills

• Procurement Strategy Development
• Tendering
• Contract Management
• Sourcing Strategy Development
• Supplier Management

Soft Skills

• Interpersonal Skills
• Influencing Skills
• Decision Making
• Communication Skills
• Collaboration

Certifications & Qualifications

• WCC Advanced Practitioner Certificate
• Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS)

Industry Keywords

• Public Procurement Legislation
• Sustainable Procurement Duty
• Scottish Government Procurement Policies
• Commercial Relationships
• Procurement Strategy Objectives