Procurement Manager (Operational)

Who are APUC?

Advanced Procurement for Universities and Colleges (APUC) is the Centre of Procurement Expertise for, and owned jointly by, all of Scotland's Universities and Colleges; it provides a wide range of procurement / supply chain related shared services both as a central team and within Universities and Colleges throughout Scotland.

We currently employ around 85 people, many of whom are based in Colleges and Universities but with some based in our regional offices in Stirling (HQ), Glasgow and Edinburgh.

Borders College are ‘Regionally Focused – Globally Engaged’. With their main, modern campus at Netherdale in Galashiels and other campuses in Hawick, Tweedbank and Newtown St Boswells, they ensure that students who choose to study with them will benefit from a 1st class learning environment. Each year, over 5000 students enrol for a wide range of courses and programs to HND level and beyond.

Purpose of the Job

Reporting to APUC’s Senior Procurement Manager for College Services: East, the role holder will cover a variety of spend areas as well as ensuring that the relevant supporting activities including systems management and reporting are completed in line with institutional and statutory needs.

Person Specification

Knowledge and Skills

• Have effective and highly responsive customer management skills;
• Be of high intellectual calibre, with the highest ethical standards;
• Studying towards (or prepared to study towards) achieving Membership of the Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply;
• Have the essential competencies of clarity of purpose, self confidence,integrity and strong influencing power; and
• Have operational knowledge of Scottish/UK procurement legislation as it relates to the HE/FE sector;
• Have a good and developing understanding of the key ethical/social & environmental impacts of multi-level supply chain management
• Be conversant with generic (contract law etc) legal aspects of supply chain management
• Have an understanding of multi round price / supply management negotiation
• Operational knowledge of the principles of contract drafting and negotiation

Experience

• Experience of project management processes and of meeting demanding targets and deadlines on a day to day basis
• Have purchasing experience in an organisation with best in class public sector procurement practices
• Be experienced in the tendering and supply chain management methodologies
• Data analysis experience and production of management reports
• Advanced spreadsheet skills and the ability to use financial models to present efficiency performance

Contacts and Relationships

• The post holder must build strong working relationships with all stakeholders and develop the reputation of APUC as a source of expert guidance and support both to institutional customers and suppliers

Why Work at APUC

• We aim to provide a work life balance for colleagues and offer flexible work options for all including flexible start and end times and options to take longer or shorter lunches as preferred.
• We take a hybrid approach to office and remote working, with colleagues coming in to the office around 5 days per fortnight. Space is available for those who want to come in more than the minimum, and we have in-person and online events throughout the year to make sure we stay well connected.
• Your holiday entitlement (given in hours) is equivalent of the total of 26 x 7 hour days and 14 x 7 hour fixed and floating days which will be pro rated for part time hours to cover bank holidays and the festive break.
• We are closed for the festive period (between Christmas and New Year) and Good Friday and Easter Monday. Every year!
• You will be automatically enrolled into our pension scheme and our Group Life Assurance which is based on your annual salary from day 1 of employment.
• We offer enhanced maternity, paternity, and shared parental pay (subject to eligibility criteria).
• Career development is important to us and all staff have regular performance reviews and there is a variety of funding options to enable staff to pursue professional and leadership qualifications, as well as other learning and development opportunities such as access to our Procurement Skills Development Programme and internal workshops.
• Cycle-to-work schemes are available with Cycle Solutions and Halfords (maximum value of £1,500).
• Retail and gym membership discounts & offers with access to our mydiscounts portal.
• Home & Technology benefit is an affordable way of accessing new technology by making savings on National Insurance. Products include tablets, laptops, desktops, SmartTV's, games consoles along with garden furniture and equipment, home improvement tools and more.
• Access to Scotwest Credit Union which offers a range of affordable loans, mortgages and savings accounts.
• We have an Employee Wellbeing Policy and Annual Plan, a team of trained Mental Health First Aiders, and all of our people managers are trained in providing support for employees experiencing mental health issues. Our EAP (Employee Assistance Programme) can be accessed through an online portal which gives access to a library of health and wellbeing articles, as well as allowing you to book counselling sessions.
• Wellbeing activities and events are organised throughout the year in accordance with key national mental and physical health awareness dates.
• We have an Employee Representative and Consultation Group, who meet quarterly. We regularly ask for feedback in a variety of ways at company events or through surveys.

How to Apply

If you are interested in applying please email your full CV to careers@apuc-scot.ac.uk, along with covering letter, explaining why you feel you would like to work with APUC and in the particular role mentioned, noting your current salary level and notice period.