Flexible, purpose-driven procurement leadership roles where you can shape category strategy, lead a team of procurement professionals and support an organisation that helps save lives across Scotland.
Scottish Fire and Rescue Service
Category Lead
Location: Scotland-wide, primarily home-based with full flexibility, plus access to Cambuslang office and occasional travel for team meetings
Scottish Fire and Rescue Service is the national fire and rescue organisation for Scotland, serving communities across the country every day. Alongside frontline emergency response, it plays a key role in prevention, protection and wider public safety, helping to create safer communities.
They are now looking to appoint a Category Lead into their Procurement Team, offering the opportunity to take ownership of a major spend portfolio, lead strategic procurement activity and manage a team of procurement professionals while influencing procurement outcomes across the organisation.
Although aligned to their Cambuslang headquarters, this role offers full flexibility to work from home, enabling applications from candidates based anywhere in Scotland, with occasional travel required for team meetings. Flexible working patterns are actively supported, including condensed working weeks and adaptable start and finish times.
This role offers the opportunity to lead category strategy across a diverse portfolio of spend, working closely with stakeholders to deliver savings, value, compliance and service improvements in line with public sector procurement best practice.
The Role
- Lead the development and delivery of category strategies aligned to organisational priorities and future service requirements
- Provide leadership across a portfolio of procurement activity, overseeing sourcing projects from strategy development through to contract award and implementation
- Manage and develop a team of Procurement Specialists, providing direction, coaching and support to ensure successful delivery across the category area
- Engage with senior stakeholders to understand business needs, challenge requirements and develop effective procurement solutions
- Ensure compliant tendering processes are delivered in line with public sector legislation, governance standards and organisational policies
- Drive supplier performance, contract management and continuous improvement activity across key contracts and suppliers
- Monitor procurement savings, benefits realisation and category performance against agreed objectives
- Represent Procurement at internal and external forums, deputising for the Procurement Manager where required
The work is diverse and often high impact, spanning areas such as digital and IT, operational equipment, protective clothing, specialist frontline assets and other strategically important areas of expenditure.
Experience/Qualifications
- Degree qualified in a business-related discipline (or equivalent)
- Full MCIPS membership, or actively working towards full membership
- Significant experience developing and implementing category strategies within a complex organisation
- Strong end-to-end procurement experience, including strategic sourcing, tendering, contract award, implementation and contract management
- Practical knowledge and application of public sector procurement legislation and governance frameworks
- Experience managing multiple complex procurement projects simultaneously
- Strong commercial awareness with a proven ability to deliver value-driven outcomes
- Excellent stakeholder management skills, with experience influencing and engaging senior stakeholders
- Previous people management experience, including leadership, performance management and team development
- Experience operating within a regulated or process-driven environment
- Experience within the wider public sector
Salary/Benefits
- Salary: £53,540 to £55,198, plus a £9,620 market allowance
- Annual leave: 28 days, rising to 34 days after 5 years, plus 6 public holidays
- Pension: Local Government Pension Scheme, with very generous employer contributions
- Flexible working: hybrid/home working across Scotland, flexible hours and condensed working options
- Employee benefits: access to VivUp discounts, savings and salary sacrifice schemes
- Career development: clear progression pathways, training and development opportunities, support for continued professional development
- Wellbeing support: health and wellbeing services and family-friendly policies
This is an excellent opportunity for experienced procurement and category management professionals looking to take on a strategic leadership position within an organisation where procurement plays a critical role in supporting frontline services and communities across Scotland.
Recruitment Process
Closing date for applications is Friday 6th November, with interviews likely to be held in November. These will consist of a values and competency-based interview along with a practical, scenario-based assessment.
To stand out, review the role requirements and come prepared with clear examples of how you meet these, especially how you demonstrate the SFRS values of Safety, Teamwork, Respect and Innovation in your work.
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Category Lead in Cambuslang employer: Scottish Fire and Rescue Service
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service is an excellent employer, offering a supportive work culture that values flexibility and inclusivity, particularly for those seeking part-time or job share opportunities. Employees benefit from a commitment to professional growth, with regular performance reviews and the chance to contribute meaningfully to community safety in a dynamic environment. Working from the scenic Inverness Fire Station, staff enjoy a unique blend of office and home-based work, fostering a healthy work-life balance while being part of a vital public service.
Contact Details:
Scottish Fire and Rescue Service Recruitment Team
