Assistant Procurement Specialist

24-month fixed-term

Location: Paisley or as agreed
Salary: £32,338.96 - £34,127.46
Post Ref: 107770
Closing Date: 22 October 2025
Interviews: W/c 10 November 2025

Scotland Excel is continuing to experience a growing demand for our capability as a centre of procurement expertise for public sector, from local authorities across Scotland and other organisations in the public domain.

Due to an internal promotion, we are looking for an Assistant Procurement Specialist to join our Contract Delivery team on a fixed-term contract for 24 months. We’re looking for a flexible team player with strong analytical skills and a commitment to delivering value through public sector procurement. Join our dynamic procurement team supporting local authorities across Scotland.

Principal Role

  • Actively participate in our contract delivery plan and support the preparation and issue of contract documentation for the team
  • Close liaison with Scotland Excel Customer Account Managers to monitor/ensure effectiveness of contracts and suppliers
  • Contribute towards the realisation of the benefits of collaborative procurement by assisting in the delivery of our frameworks to customers
  • Flexible in approach working across all areas of procurement as directed by managers
  • Support managers to initiate and organise User Intelligence Groups for designated commodities to ensure that efficiency, effectiveness and value are delivered to local authorities
  • Undertake a range of research and analysis duties as directed in support of the procurement teams’ contracts process

Key Responsibilities 

  • Source and assess new suppliers for our contract portfolio.
  • Analyse supplier performance data and present findings.
  • Support sustainable procurement practices.
  • Assist in preparing and issuing tender documentation.
  • Maintain accurate contract information across Scotland Excel platforms.
  • Collaborate with Customer Account Managers to monitor contract effectiveness.
  • Contribute to the delivery and benefits of collaborative procurement frameworks.
  • Participate in User Intelligence Groups to ensure value and efficiency.
  • Conduct research and analysis to support procurement activities.

Desired Qualifications and Qualities

  • Higher National Certificate, SVQ Level 3 in a business-related subject or equivalent qualifications/experience
  • Willing to work towards membership of the Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply or equivalent social care qualification
  • Ability to engage effectively and appropriately with colleagues, customers and associates
  • Effective communication and analytical skills
  • Flexible in approach, ability to work effectively on own and as part of a team
  • Highly organised in terms of work management and delivery of work targets

Relevant Experience 

  • Committed to the provision and development of excellent customer service
  • Demonstrable understanding of Scotland Excel’s customer care focus and continuous service improvement objectives
  • Experience in a local authority procurement environment
  • Experience of stakeholder, customer and supplier engagement
  • Experience of working to support a team of professionals in procurement, social care commissioning, project management or similar, or experience in an academic course of study which has enabled the development of complex analysis and stakeholder engagement skills
  • Financial/budgetary experience

The following values are at the heart of everything we do at Scotland Excel and the successful candidate will be expected the demonstrate these daily:

  • Professional
  • Respectful
  • Courageous
  • Integrity

Relevant Documents 

Assistant Procurement Specialist - Job Description 

Assistant Procurement Specialist  - Person Specification

About Scotland Excel

Scotland Excel is an award-winning Centre of Procurement Expertise providing a wide range of procurement, commissioning, consultancy, and learning and development services for our members.

Since 2008, we have helped to establish procurement as an effective driver for local and national economic growth and wellbeing. Our £2bn portfolio of collaborative contracts supports the delivery of savings, social value, community benefits, fair work practices and environmental policy, and covers a wide range of public services including construction, roads, transport, environment, corporate and education.

Scotland Excel also develops and manages arrangements which support the commissioning of care services for children and adults. Our national care contracts are developed in partnership with care professionals, including care providers, to support person-centred outcomes embedded within national policy.

We also provide procurement and consultancy services to help our members get the most from their procurement resources, ranging from ad-hoc tendering support through to transformation programmes and strategic procurement partnerships.

The Scotland Excel Academy offers applied learning programmes leading to accredited qualifications in procurement, leadership and management, coaching and mentoring, project management and business analysis, as well as short courses and workshops.

Scotland Excel is a non-profit organisation working with members from across the public sector including local authorities, health and social care partnerships, housing associations, and other public and third sector organisations.

As well as a competitive salary, you will have:

  • Access to a defined benefits pension with Strathclyde Pension Fund. Current combined contribution of employee and employer varies depending on earnings but can be between 24-32%
  • A generous holiday allowance of 33 days including public holidays. This increases on a sliding scale up to an additional ten days subject to length of service
  • Flexible working opportunities including hybrid working and a nine-day fortnight
  • Access to staff discounts through Vivup employee benefit platform
  • Time off during office closure over Christmas and New Year (included in holiday allowance)
  • Our commitment to employee engagement including regular corporate and team events as recently recognised by us retaining Gold Investors In People Award
  • A wealth of training opportunities including from our own award-winning Academy

How to apply

We welcome applications from all backgrounds, whether it is public or private sector. Secondment opportunities may also be available subject to agreement from current employer and Scotland Excel. Applications are also welcome from candidates with disabilities and guarantee an interview to those candidates who meet the essential requirements for the position. If you have a disability, please make us aware when submitting your application.

To be considered for this post, please complete the forms below and attach your CV (max 3 pages).

Submissions received after the closing date may not be considered.

All applicants will be asked to provide proof of their right to work in the UK and any offer of employment will be conditional upon verifying documentary evidence before employment commences.

Further information can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/prove-right-to-work

Candidate Information Form

Personal Details
where are you currently living
Do you have the right to work in the UK? * We must check if an applicant has the right to work in the UK. Please select one of the options below: For further information on right to work please see www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk Please note Scotland Excel does not hold a sponsorship licence and cannot offer a right to work sponsorship visa.
This will allow us to check you have relevant right to work. This does not apply to British citizens or those with a permanent right to remain.
This is required along side your share code to review right to work status.
Use this section to demonstrate why you think you would be suitable for the post by linking to the job profile and person specification. Please include all relevant information, whether obtained through formal employment or voluntary/leisure activities. (700-word limit)
Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974
Do you have any convictions that are unspent under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exclusions and Exceptions (Scotland) Order 2013 as amended? * If you have select yes and are invited for interview, you will be required to provide further details.
Protecting Children and Vulnerable Adults
Are you aware of any police enquiries undertaken following allegations made against you, which may have a bearing on your suitability for this post? * This information may be required if the post you are applying for has a requirement for a Disclosure Scotland check.
Conflict of Interest Statement
If appointed, do you have any interests or hold any appointments that may conflict with employment by Scotland Excel in the role for which you have applied? * e.g. your partner is employed by a Scotland Excel framework supplier
Declaration
located on the job advert e.g. Ref: 123456
Are you related to an existing employee? *
Would you like to be notified of future vacancies? *
All personal data will be processed securely in line with the Data Protection Principles as set out in the Data Protection Act 2018 and in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulations (EU) (2016/679) and the Privacy and Electronic Communications (EC Directive) Regulations 2003.
Reasonable Adjustments/Arrangements for Interview
Scotland Excel has an obligation under Public Sector Equality Duty in Scotland to request your equality information to help ensure our policies, employment practices and services are fair, reasonable, and meet your needs. Completion of this form is not mandatory but is very much appreciated. In accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation 2018, all information provided will be treated in confidence and will be used solely by the Human Resources department for the purpose of providing statistics for equal opportunities monitoring. We have only asked for your name so that monitoring can take place at both application and shortlisting stages. Once an appointment has been made, the data given on this form will be stored electronically in an anonymised format and the form will then be destroyed. This information does not form part of your application and will not be shared with the recruiting panel, with anyone else or be used for any other purpose. If you have any questions, please contact recruitment@scotland-excel.org.uk
(e.g. 112345, the number will be on the advert)
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