At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead high-value procurement projects and optimise value for money.
- Company: Join the Scottish Government and make a difference in public procurement.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, flexible working, and a generous pension scheme.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for professional development and career growth.
- Why this job: Shape procurement strategies that support sustainability and local businesses.
- Qualifications: CIPS Level 5 or equivalent experience required.
The predicted salary is between 49401 - 59152 £ per year.
Location: Edinburgh, UK
Salary: 49,401 - 59,152 per year
Employment: Full time
Category: Procurement
Posted: 2026-09-11
Valid to: 2026-10-09
Employer: Scottish Government
Job summary
Are you looking for a role where you can use your procurement and commercial skills and build relationships with a huge range of people? If so, then this exciting procurement opportunity could be for you. As Senior Procurement Specialist you will play a crucial role in ensuring compliance with the public procurement regulations, identifying opportunities for savings and benefits and contributing to the wider government agenda, including improving business for Small & Medium Enterprises and delivering the sustainability agenda. The level of Delegated Purchasing Authority for this role is 5 million.
Reporting to the Procurement and Contract Services Portfolio Manager you will lead high value regulated tendering projects and manage, vary and extend contracts for a wide range of goods, services and works.
Job description
- Lead the development, planning and implementation of procurement strategies for high-value, high-risk procurements optimising value for money for customers.
- Be able to lead and manage all stages of the end-to-end public sector procurement process.
- Ensure that all stages of your procurement delivery address the Sustainable Procurement Duty and contribute to the government’s sustainability agenda.
- Work effectively with a wide range of key stakeholders, including customers, colleagues and external markets to build professional commercial relationships and deliver credible procurement strategies and contracts.
- Actively manage suppliers and engage with customers advising them on their contractual agreements and options using contract and market knowledge.
- Manage a number of activities and projects concurrently and therefore need to have effective time and task management skills.
- Support procurement initiatives that help NRS deliver and achieve its organisational Procurement Strategy objectives.
- Work flexibly within the team and across the organisation to help deliver the organisation’s wider goals in line with the Directorate and Corporate Plans.
This post may in future have an element of staff management responsibility and will require a high degree of stakeholder management.
Person specification
Qualifications
- CIPS Level 5 Advanced Diploma, WCC Advanced Practitioner Certification or relevant equivalent.
- Significant evidenced experience operating and delivering at an advanced level may be considered as equivalent when accompanied by a commitment to attaining an accreditation once in post.
This is a specialist role which requires evidence of a commitment towards continuous professional development, including external, advanced level professional accreditation of CIPS Level 5 Advanced Diploma, WCC Advanced Practitioner Certification or relevant equivalent; or a commitment to attaining such an accreditation once in post.
Proof of qualifications will be checked at the assessment stage.
Success profile
Success profiles are specific to each job and they include the mix of behaviours, experience and technical criteria (if applicable) that candidates will be assessed on.
Technical / Professional Skills:
- Commercial Competence and Business Acumen - Level 3: Practitioner
- Legislation - Level 4: Expert
- Contract Law and Terms and Conditions - Level 3: Practitioner
The procurement competency framework sets out the common standard across the public sector in Scotland and details the capability requirements for this post.
Experience
- Proven track record in the delivery of 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 with experience of building and maintaining relationships at all levels and working in collaboration with internal and external colleagues.
Behaviours:
- Making Effective Decisions - Level 3
- Communicating and Influencing – Level 3
- Delivering at Pace – Level 3
How to apply
Apply online, providing a CV and Supporting Statement (of no more than 1000 words) which provides evidence of how you meet the skills, experience and behaviours listed in the Success Profile above.
If invited for further assessment, this will consist of an interview and a presentation.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools can be used to support your application, but all statements and examples provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience.
Assessments are scheduled for w/c 2nd November 2026, however this may be subject to change.
Sponsorship
Skilled Worker sponsorship is not available for this role. As a result, we are unable to appoint candidates who require Skilled Worker sponsorship now or in the future. Applicants must have an existing and ongoing right to work in the UK.
Recruitment Principles
As a government organisation, we adhere to the recruitment principles and we investigate any received in relation to recruitment cases.
Benefits
- Alongside your salary of 49,401, Scottish Government contributes 14,311 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme.
- Learning and development tailored to your role
- An environment with flexible working options
- A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
- A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%
Selection process details
This vacancy is using Success Profiles, and will assess your Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
Successful candidates must undergo a basic (or equivalent) criminal record check.
People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard checks.
Nationality requirements
This job is broadly open to the following groups:
- UK nationals
- nationals of the Republic of Ireland
- nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
- nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
- individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
Further information on nationality requirements.
Working for the Civil Service
The Civil Service Code sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.
The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities.
Contact point for applicants
Job contact: Name: Charles Kennedy Email: Charles.Kennedy@nrscotland.gov.uk
Recruitment team Email: scotttishgovernemntrecruitment@gov.scot
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