Assistant Procurement Specialist (Flexible Procurement Services)

About the role

Applicants should be aware of the unique working environment within the Flexible Procurement Services team. Whereas the core business of Scotland Excel is collaborative at the national level for the 32 Scottish local authorities (councils) and our member organisations, this team works on behalf of our member organisations delivering local contracts for use by individual public bodies. As such, this is a client-facing position with a focus on customer relations and client satisfaction. 

In this role, you will:

• be client-facing with a focus on customer relations and client satisfaction
• support preparatory work for Category C contracts delivering tender exercises for our member organisations
• be responsible for realising the benefits of collaborative procurement for Category C goods and services
• assist in implementing procurement strategies to deliver team targets and goals
• liaise with and co-ordinate feedback from key stakeholders
• monitor developments in new procurement practices and techniques, including e-technologies
• provide a wide range of support to the team including on the job training
• be responsive to the instruction and advisement given by team members
• support full compliance with statutory provisions, legislation, policies, procedures and processes e.g. health and safety
• support the delivery of Category C contract recommendations through the development of consistent and robust assessments, in accordance with procurement principles
• undertake a range of research and analysis duties

The successful candidate will have the following qualifications and relevant experience: 

• Educated to HNC level in a business-related subject or equivalent qualification/experience
• Achieved, working towards or willing to work towards full membership of the Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (CIPS) or equivalent
• Effective communication and analytical skills
• Highly organised in terms of work management and delivery of work targets
• Demonstrable understanding of Scotland Excel’s customer care focus and continuous service improvement objectives
• Skilled in the use of relevant software systems used to process contracts and management information
• Experience of working to support a team of professionals in project management or similar, or experience in an academic course of study which has enabled the development of complex analysis and stakeholder engagement skills

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

• Professional
• Respectful
• Courageous
• Integrity

Relevant Documents

Job Description - Assistant Procurement Specialist 

Person Specification - Assistant Procurement Specialist 

Online Equality Monitoring Form (Quote the above ref. for question 1)

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.

What we can offer you

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%
•  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 our Gold Investors In People award
• A wealth of training opportunities including from our own award-winning Academy

Find out what makes Scotland Excel an employer of choice and what benefits we can offer you https://home.scotland-excel.org.uk/work-for-us/

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.

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

Email your CV (max 3 pages) to recruitment@scotland-excel.org.uk  before 5pm on Tuesday 2 September 2025. Please quote the reference number when applying.