Procurement Specialist

Your new company

My client is a non-departmental public body that's committed to delivering a high quality public service; a service that listens and responds to meet their customers' expectations and needs. Part of this is their commitment to openness and transparency, coherent corporate governance and informed communications, enabling their people based across Scotland to deliver the best they can.

Your new role

You will perform a key role in the delivery of the organisation's sustainability strategy through the sourcing, negotiation, and management of contracts across multiple portfolios, providing specialist procurement support and identifying and delivering value-adding opportunities. You will also lead the relationship with at least one portfolio in the organisation.
Key responsibilities:

• To develop strategy and undertake the tendering and negotiation of contracts with suppliers, including Contract terms and conditions for various directorates and identified commodity groups. Recommend and advise Budget Holders on the expenditure of their finances for goods, works and services in line with Standing Financial Instructions.
• Aid the organisation in the form of expert and professional Procurement and commercial advice, supporting contract and strategy development and managing any contractual claims to a satisfactory conclusion, always assuring that the agency's interests are protected. Commitment of budgetary expenditure through the placing of Official Purchase Orders and ensuring that formal Awards of Contract are structured in accordance with Purchasing & Procurement controls.
• Work with stakeholders to identify and deliver value-adding opportunities for the assigned portfolio, incorporating the portfolio needs. Monitor contracts under the capital expenditure programme to ensure delivery and financial commitments are achieved. Report anticipated under/over expenditure to the Sustainable Procurement Manager and Deputy Head of Finance.
• Develop an effective relationship with suppliers to help ensure operational standards for delivery, quality, technology, environmental impacts, accuracy of paperwork and flexibility to the agency's changing needs are met. Host regular supplier meetings for all suppliers under your responsibility.
• Represent the Organisation externally, ensuring National Contracts are renegotiated to include it and in the best interests of IS directorate requirements. Investigate, evaluate, and implement alternative channels of supply in order to maximise cost opportunities for the organisation. Deputise for the Sustainable Procurement Manager at internal/external meetings and 1st and 2nd Tier Supplier meetings as necessary. Assist the Sustainable Procurement Manager in drafting and implementing the Procurement Operating Plan.

Key relationships:

• Undertake the negotiation of KPI's and Contracts with 1st Tier suppliers for agency wide Agreements
• Meet with internal customers on a scheduled and frequent basis to establish requirements and feedback on progress/problems.
• Host supplier meetings with 1st Tier suppliers to keep occasional consultative contact with the Scottish Government and other relevant Public Sector organisations.

What you'll need to succeed:

Knowledge & Technical Skills:

• Organisational Knowledge - Understand structure, strategy and expenditure plans.
• Scientific/Technical - Significant knowledge of procurement, methods/techniques
• Managerial - Specialist level relationship management with senior staff internally and at external bodies and suppliers - Specialist
• Legislation - Specialist level knowledge of EU / Treasury / Scottish Executive laws relating to Public sector expenditure. Generation and interpretation of Terms and Conditions for purchasing goods, works and services.
• Other - Significant demonstrable skills in Communication and Negotiation.

Essential Qualifications:

• Working towards Chartered Institute of Purchase and Supply membership or similar.
• Relevant business related degree or equivalent.

Experience Required:

• Relevant professional experience. Procurement and/or commercial (Essential)
• Budgetary management experience (Essential)
• Use of relevant equipment and systems e.g. Public Contracts Scotland, Contracts Finder, etc. - (Desirable)
• Customer and/or supplier relationship management experience (Essential)

Communication Skills:

• Written communication - Contracts and formal letters to suppliers.
• Report writing - Tender evaluations and internal reports.
• Oral - Supplier negotiations & building rapport with key stakeholders.
• Presentations - Internal and external meetings.

What you'll get in return

• Salary of £44,000 - 48,000 with annual increases
• 35-hour working week for full-time employees.
• Initial 37 days Annual Leave + 1 Wellbeing day + 2 Volunteering days
• Buy up to 10 days extra Annual Leave
• Request flexible working arrangements (reduced hours/change to location).
• Exceptionally generous Flexi-time Scheme.
• Local Government Pension Scheme
• Generous Health Benefits - sick pay, parental leave schemes, Employee Assistance Programme
• Training & Development
• Staff Discount Benefits
• Cycle to work scheme

What you need to do now

If you're interested in this role, click 'apply now' to forward an up-to-date copy of your CV, or call us now. If this job isn't quite right for you, but you are looking for a new position, please contact us for a confidential discussion about your career.

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