Senior Procurement Specialist (Flexible Procurement)

Ref: 114487

Closing: 01 November 2026 (23:59)     

Interviews: week commencing 16 November 2026

Help shape the future of public sector procurement across Scotland.

Scotland Excel is a recognised centre of excellence for public sector procurement, delivering innovative procurement solutions and expert support to local authorities and public sector organisations across Scotland.

As demand for our specialist services continues to grow, we're looking for an experienced and motivated Senior Procurement Specialist to join our busy and expanding Flexible Procurement Services Team on a 24-month fixed-term contract.

This is an exciting opportunity to work in a fast-paced, client-focused environment where no two days are the same. If you're passionate about procurement, enjoy building strong stakeholder relationships, and want to make a tangible difference to public services and local communities, we'd love to hear from you.

Why join our Flexible Procurement Team?

Over the last five years, our Flexible Procurement team has delivered:

• 135 awarded contracts
• £39 million in total contract value
• Bespoke procurement solutions for public sector organisations across Scotland

Unlike Scotland Excel's national collaborative procurement activity, the Flexible Procurement team works directly with individual public bodies to deliver local procurement projects tailored to their unique needs. This means you'll enjoy a highly varied role with significant client engagement, autonomy, and opportunities to develop your expertise.

About the Role

As a Senior Procurement Specialist, you'll play a leading role in delivering high-quality procurement services for our member organisations while ensuring excellent customer service throughout the procurement lifecycle.

You will:

• Effectively manage and deliver a wide-ranging portfolio of contracts, including high-value, high-risk, regulated and non-regulated procurements
• Lead end-to-end procurement exercises for goods, works and service contracts from strategy development through to contract award and mobilisation
• Build strong relationships with clients and stakeholders, ensuring their needs are understood and translated into effective procurement solutions
• Drive commercial excellence through the development and implementation of well-defined sourcing strategies
• Manage all stages of procurement activity to deliver a high-quality, compliant and customer-focused service
• Ensure compliance with standing orders, statutory provisions, procurement legislation, organisational procedures and relevant policies
• Support sustainable procurement policy and best practice in the delivery of contracts
• Make recommendations on contract awards and coordinate subsequent contract placement and mobilisation activities
• Monitor and apply emerging procurement practices, innovations and e-procurement technologies
• Provide coordination, instruction, advice and guidance to team members, supporting their development and capability
• Support the implementation of organisational policies, procedures and practices as required
• Ensure all work activities comply with Scotland Excel's commitment to health and safety requirements

About You

We're looking for a procurement professional who combines significant procurement expertise with strong leadership, client relationship and project management skills.

You'll ideally have:

• Significant experience delivering public sector procurement exercises, ideally within a Category C environment
• Experience managing a diverse portfolio of contracts, including high-value and high-risk procurements
• A strong understanding of public sector procurement legislation, governance requirements and best practice
• Experience developing sourcing strategies and delivering procurement activities to agreed performance measures
• Proven experience building and managing client relationships within public sector organisations
• Experience leading procurement projects from planning through to implementation and mobilisation
• Strong organisational, analytical and project planning skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities effectively
• The ability to assess stakeholder needs and develop procurement solutions that support effective service delivery
• Experience reviewing financial information, standing orders and organisational requirements across a range of public sector environments
• A Degree or HND in a business-related discipline (or equivalent qualification)
• CIPS membership (or equivalent), or be actively working towards achieving it
• A collaborative leadership style and a commitment to continuous improvement and procurement excellence

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

What's in it for You?

At Scotland Excel, we pride ourselves on investing in our people and supporting them to achieve their career aspirations.

In addition to a competitive salary, you'll benefit from:

• Excellent Pension Scheme
  Access to the Strathclyde Pension Fund, with combined employer and employee contributions typically ranging from 24–32%.
• Generous Annual Leave
  33 days including public holidays, increasing with service by up to an additional 10 days.
• Flexible Working
  Hybrid working arrangements and a nine-day fortnight to support a healthy work-life balance.
• Learning & Development
  Access to a wide range of training opportunities, including our award-winning Academy.
• Employee Benefits Platform
  Exclusive discounts and offers through Perkbox.
• Christmas & New Year Office Closure
  Additional time to recharge during the festive period.
• Award-Winning Culture
  Join an organisation recognised with a Gold Investors in People Award, committed to employee engagement, wellbeing and development.

Most importantly, you'll work alongside passionate colleagues who are committed to delivering better public services and creating social, environmental and economic value for communities across Scotland.

Ready to Apply?

We welcome applications from candidates with experience in either the public or private sector. Secondment opportunities may also be available, subject to agreement between your current employer and Scotland Excel.

We're committed to creating an inclusive workplace and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds. We guarantee an interview to applicants with disabilities who meet the essential criteria for the role and will make reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process where required.

All applicants must have the right to work in the UK and will be required to provide appropriate documentation before employment commences.

Click "Apply" to submit your CV and tailor your cover letter to take the next step in your procurement career with Scotland Excel.