At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead procurement and contract management for social care services, driving efficiency and innovation.
- Company: Scotland Excel, a non-profit organisation supporting local government in Scotland.
- Benefits: Hybrid work, generous holiday allowance, defined benefits pension, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Diverse and inclusive workplace committed to continuous improvement and community support.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on social care through smarter procurement and collaborative working.
- Qualifications: Experience in procurement or commissioning, strong analytical skills, and project management experience.
The predicted salary is between 51647 - 54786 £ per year.
Paisley (Hybrid) £51,647 - £54,786 (Grade 10) Opportunities for Permanent and 24 month FTC.
Scotland Excel is the Centre of Procurement Expertise for local government in Scotland. Established in 2008, they are a leading public sector shared service and operate as a non-profit organisation funded by Scotland’s 32 local authorities. Scotland Excel has a contract portfolio that supports the delivery of a wide range of essential public services provided by councils and includes contracts for social care. This is designed to maximise the value of council spending through efficiency and innovation and their contracts also facilitate national and local policy priorities, support the local economy, and generate additional social value for Scotland’s communities.
We are seeking an experienced and motivated Senior Procurement Specialist to work within Scotland Excel’s Social Care procurement team and lead on the provision of procurement and contract management activities. Within the role you will develop and share contract, performance and financial intelligence, and produce national and local statistics to inform commissioning and fee negotiations. You will assess commissioner needs, design and deliver innovative procurement strategies, and manage high‑value, high‑risk contracts through the full procurement lifecycle.
The role also involves leading provider engagement and visits, contributing to fee negotiations, supporting local authorities with any contract related queries and providing guidance and leadership to team members, ensuring effective service delivery and continuous improvement across the sector.
The ideal candidate will be an experienced procurement or commissioning professional with a background focussed on social care along with a commercial mindset and a proven ability to manage complex services from initiation through to contract management and renewal. Strong analytical capability, project management experience and advanced skills in Microsoft Office are essential, as is the ability to work collaboratively with a wide range of stakeholders. We are open to candidates whose expertise covers either children or adult social care services.
When joining Scotland Excel, you will have access to a fantastic range of benefits including 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. To apply, please send a tailored CV and a covering letter (max. 2 pages), outlining your relevant experience and motivation for applying by Sunday 10th May.
Scotland Excel is committed to diversity and inclusion and is a Disability Confident registered employer who welcomes applications from all backgrounds. If you wish to be considered under the Disability Confident scheme please let us know when applying or by email to ScotlandExcel@LHH.com.
Senior Procurement Specialists (Social Care) employer: Scotland Excel
Contact Detail:
Scotland Excel Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Procurement Specialists (Social Care)
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the procurement and social care sectors. Attend industry events or webinars, and don’t be shy about introducing yourself. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching Scotland Excel and their procurement strategies. Familiarise yourself with their recent projects and challenges in social care. This will help you showcase how your skills can directly contribute to their goals.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain your experience in managing high-value contracts and your approach to innovative procurement strategies. We want to hear how you can make a real impact in the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! Tailor your CV and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience in social care procurement. Make sure to express your motivation for joining Scotland Excel and how you align with their values.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Procurement Specialists (Social Care)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Senior Procurement Specialist role. Highlight your experience in social care procurement and any relevant achievements that showcase your skills. We want to see how you can bring value to our team!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter should tell us why you're passionate about this role and how your background aligns with our mission at Scotland Excel. Keep it concise, but make sure to include specific examples of your experience in procurement and contract management.
Showcase Your Analytical Skills: Since strong analytical capability is key for this position, don’t forget to mention any relevant projects or experiences where you've used data to inform decisions. We love seeing how you can turn numbers into actionable insights!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us directly and allows you to keep track of your progress. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Scotland Excel
✨Know Your Procurement Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your procurement knowledge, especially in social care. Familiarise yourself with the latest trends, policies, and challenges in the sector. This will help you demonstrate your expertise and show that you're genuinely interested in the role.
✨Showcase Your Analytical Skills
Since strong analytical capability is essential for this position, prepare to discuss specific examples where you've used data to inform decisions or improve processes. Bring along any relevant statistics or case studies that highlight your success in managing complex services.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
This role involves working collaboratively with various stakeholders. Think of examples where you've successfully engaged with different parties, whether it's local authorities or service providers. Be ready to share how you navigated those relationships to achieve positive outcomes.
✨Tailor Your Application
When preparing your CV and cover letter, make sure they are tailored to the job description. Highlight your experience in social care procurement and your ability to manage high-value contracts. This shows that you understand what Scotland Excel is looking for and that you're a perfect fit for the team.