Construction Category Manager

Permanent

Location: Paisley or as agreed
Salary: £59,586.18-£63,327.43 (Grade 12)
Ref: CCM95
Closing: 23 November 2025 (23:59)

Scotland Excel are seeking to strengthen the portfolio of construction contracts developed for use by our members. If you are an experienced individual with a strong and proven track record of delivery within a construction procurement and contracting environment this could be your next career move. The post holder will provide leadership to a team of procurement professionals with a focus on bringing knowledge, expertise and practical experience to tackling the challenges current to the work Scotland’s local government community do with the construction sector.

The right individual will have a blend of experience gained from the public or private sector, will have a well-developed understanding of construction contracting practices and public procurement legislation. This appointment is an opportunity for you to make an impact in a high value, high impact category and support our members to deliver on their priorities.

Our portfolio has been developed to provide routes to market for social housing and other public assets; from design to build through to day to day maintenance, repairs and refurbishments – including improving the energy efficiency. These contracts can make a real difference to the living arrangements of tenants, the learning experiences of children in schools and the working environments of public sector workers in Scotland.

Come and join us in striving to bring an innovative and well executed range of contracts into being and to work in collaboration with others to make lives of people across Scotland better.

Principal Role

  • Leads the team on strategic sourcing activities for a specific category spend with the goal of achieving cost reductions, while maintaining / improving quality and services levels.
  • Has responsibility for the commercial management of designated goods, services and works related commodities and the implementation of best procurement practice.
  • Works closely with stakeholders on the development of commodity sourcing strategies and implementation plans.
  • Effectively manages a portfolio of high value/high risk Category B contracts through a number of procurement staff.
  • Responsible for realising the benefits of collaborative procurement by arranging new contracts for Category B goods and services and managing established contracts.
  • Drive commercial excellence through the implementation of well-defined sourcing strategies.
  • Liaise with and positively influence key stakeholders in the procurement process, particularly in respect to best practice, market development and innovation.
  • Identify/assemble and lead User Intelligence Groups for designated contracts to develop and implement innovative procurement strategies throughout the contract life cycle to ensure the delivery of efficiency, effectiveness and value to local authorities
  • Mentor the procurement team to develop and implement procurement strategies that deliver key team targets and goals
  • Ensure compliance with standing orders, statutory provisions, EU directives, other relevant legislation and Scotland Excel policies, procedures and processes

 

Key Responsibilities 

  • Support sustainable procurement policy and practice in the delivery of contracts to local authorities
  • Lead supplier visits in order to achieve effective contract delivery, providing development support where appropriate
  • Conduct negotiations with suppliers in accordance with Scotland Excel policies and procedures, ensuring that the Business is represented in an effective and professional manner
  • Through effective use of management information, carry out analysis and management of price variation requests in support of local authority procurement objectives
  • Develop, prepare and submit a range of reports required to monitor the performance and effectiveness of suppliers and contracts, recommending action plans for any areas of performance improvement to the Strategic Procurement Manager/Head of Strategic Procurement

 

Required Qualifications and Qualities

  • Degree in business related discipline or equivalent qualification
  • Achieved, or working towards full membership of the Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply (CIPS) or equivalent
  • Extensive knowledge of managing the procurement function from initiation through to contract management and renewal
  • Proven ability to plan, organise, persuade, challenge, influence and communicate effectively 
  • Proven leadership and decision making abilities

 

Relevant Experience 

  • Significant experience in a procurement environment
  • Public/private sector experience in a role with responsibility for a wide portfolio of high value/ high risk categories of expenditure
  • Practical/operational experience in people management

 

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 

Our Portfolio

Job Description

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.

Benefits of Working at Scotland Excel 

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

Please note that while hybrid working is offered this post will require regular attendance within our Paisley office. 

 

How to apply

Scotland Excel celebrates diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We encourage applications from people of all backgrounds and identities.

Candidates with disabilities are guarantee an interview providing they 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 below forms 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
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Are you related to an existing employee? *
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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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