At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the procurement process and develop contract solutions for public sector organisations.
- Company: Scotland Excel, a key player in public sector procurement in Scotland.
- Benefits: Flexible work options, generous holiday allowance, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Join a diverse team committed to improving procurement standards across Scotland.
- Why this job: Make a real impact through smarter procurement and collaborative working.
- Qualifications: Degree or HND in business, strong organisational skills, and experience in public sector procurement.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.
Scotland Excel is the Centre of Procurement Expertise for the local government sector in Scotland. Established in 2008, their remit is to work collaboratively with the 32 local authority membership in Scotland and suppliers to raise procurement standards, secure best value for customers and to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of public sector procurement in Scotland. Scotland Excel continues to see growing demand for its procurement expertise from local authorities and other public sector organisations across Scotland.
We are seeking an experienced and motivated Senior Procurement Specialist to join their busy and expanding Flexible Procurement Services team for a fixed-term two-year period. While the core business of Scotland Excel is collaborative at the national level for the 32 Scottish local authorities (councils) and their member organisations, the Flexible Procurement Services team operates in a unique, client-facing environment. This team works on behalf of their member organisations delivering local contracts for use by individual public bodies with a focus on customer relations and client satisfaction as well as procurement best practice.
Responsibilities
- Oversee the end-to-end procurement process, make contract award recommendations, coordinate contract placement and mobilisation, and keep up to date with emerging procurement technologies and techniques.
- Provide guidance to team members, support the application of HR policies, and ensure all activity meets health and safety requirements.
- Work closely with key stakeholders to understand their needs and develop contract solutions that ensure effective service delivery.
- Oversee every stage of the procurement process, embedding sustainable procurement principles and maintaining a consistently high standard of service.
Qualifications
- Educated to degree or HND level in a business-related field and ideally working toward CIPS membership.
- Strong organisational and analytical skills, collaborative leadership approach, and enthusiasm for process improvement and project planning.
- Good understanding of public sector procurement regulations and the ability to understand financial/standing orders of member organisations and adapt to clients' ways of working across various organisations.
- Experience delivering to performance measures, managing client relationships and leading project activity.
Benefits
We offer a hybrid and flexible approach to work which can include a nine-day fortnight, a defined benefits pension scheme, generous holiday allowance and opportunities for professional development.
If you’re motivated by the opportunity to make a real impact through smarter procurement and collaborative working, we’d love to hear from you.
How to apply
To apply, please send a tailored CV and a covering letter (max. 2 pages), outlining your relevant experience and motivation for applying by Sunday 28th June.
Diversity and inclusion
Scotland Excel is committed to diversity and inclusion and welcomes applications from all backgrounds. Candidates with disabilities who meet the essential criteria are guaranteed an interview; please let us know when applying.
Senior Procurement Specialist (Flexible Procurement) - 476984 in Paisley employer: Scotland Excel
Scotland Excel is an exceptional employer, offering a collaborative and inclusive work culture that empowers employees to make a meaningful impact in public sector procurement. With flexible working arrangements, generous holiday allowances, and a commitment to professional development, team members can thrive both personally and professionally while contributing to the efficiency of local government services across Scotland.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Procurement Specialist (Flexible Procurement) - 476984 in Paisley
✨Get Involved in Local Procurement Meetups
Join local procurement and purchasing groups on platforms like Meetup or Eventbrite. These gatherings are great for networking with industry professionals, sharing insights, and potentially hearing about temporary roles that might not be widely advertised!
✨Seasonal Hiring Cycles are Your Friend!
Keep an eye on seasonal trends in procurement, as many companies ramp up hiring during certain times of the year – especially around end-of-financial-year periods when budgets are being utilised. Be proactive and reach out to companies directly during these windows.
✨Leverage Online Platforms for Temporary Roles
Don’t forget to browse specific job boards dedicated to temporary positions, such as Reed or Indeed. You can filter your search for procurement roles and set up alerts for when new jobs pop up, so you can apply immediately!
✨Showcase Your Skills on Professional Networks
Create short case studies or posts on LinkedIn showcasing your procurement experience or interesting projects you've tackled. This not only builds your visibility but can also attract recruiters looking for temporary talent like you!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Procurement Specialist (Flexible Procurement) - 476984 in Paisley
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Relevant Experience:When applying for a temporary role in procurement-purchasing, it's crucial to highlight any relevant experience you have. Mention specific tasks like negotiating contracts, managing supplier relationships, or optimising inventory. This will show Scotland Excel that you can hit the ground running!
Keep it Concise and Impactful:For a temporary role, we recommend keeping your CV and cover letter concise. Focus on key achievements that showcase your procurement skills and any immediate impact you’ve made in past roles. Use bullet points for clarity—this way, Scotland Excel can quickly grasp your capabilities!
Include Relevant Certifications:If you’ve got any certifications that are relevant to procurement, like CIPS (Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply), don’t forget to mention them! This adds extra weight to your application and shows Scotland Excel that you're serious about your professional development.
Emphasise Flexibility and Availability:Since this is a temporary position, make sure to emphasise your availability and flexibility in your cover letter. Let Scotland Excel know when you can start and that you’re ready to adapt to their needs, making your application even more appealing!
How to prepare for a job interview at Scotland Excel
✨Know Your Procurement Basics
Brush up on key procurement concepts and terms, like 'total cost of ownership' and 'supplier relationships'. We want to impress them with our knowledge! Being able to talk fluently about relevant techniques and tools specific to the procurement field will definitely lend credibility.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
In a purchasing role, you might get thrown some real-world scenarios to assess how you’d handle supplier negotiations or cost-saving strategies. Be ready to demonstrate your problem-solving skills! Practising how you'd tackle these situations in advance will help us shine during the interview.
✨Highlight Your Flexibility and Adaptability
Since it’s a temporary role, emphasise how you can quickly adapt to new processes and environments. Share examples of past experiences where you’ve tackled new challenges with ease, showing they can rely on us to hit the ground running and contribute immediately!
✨Show Off Your Tech Savvy
Being well-versed in procurement software like SAP or Coupa can set us apart from other candidates. If you've got experience with these tools, be sure to mention it! Having a handle on data analysis and reporting will also demonstrate our capability to leverage technology effectively in procurement.
