About the role

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.

As a result, we are seeking to recruit a Commercial Lead on a 2-year fixed term basis to join our National Savings Team or Projects Team.

The successful candidate will have a good understanding of public sector procurement and enjoy working across various clients, services, and opportunities simultaneously. We are seeking individuals with a strong commercial acumen combined with a thirst to drive procurement savings and efficiencies. Excellent negotiation skills and analysis experience will be key to the role. In addition, we are looking for someone who has significant experience in a commercial environment, experience of solving complex business problems and translating these into a clear strategy and plan, and experience of managing stakeholder relationships at all levels within an organisation.

Key responsibilities

Assume ownership for developing and implementing process improvement initiatives to delivery greater efficiencies;
Responsible for review and analysis of established sourcing arrangements and implementing refined processes to realise the benefits of collaborative procurement;
Drive commercial excellence through the implementation of well-defined sourcing strategies;
Liaise with and positively influence key stakeholders in the procurement process to ensure optimum solutions are delivered;
Identify savings opportunities and implement innovative procurement strategies throughout the contract life cycle to ensure the delivery of efficiency, effectiveness, and value to local authorities;
Implement robust performance reporting framework to monitor effectiveness of projects delivered; and
Ensure compliance with standing orders, statutory provisions, EU directives, other relevant legislation and key stakeholder policies, procedures and processes.

Desired qualifications

Educated to degree level or equivalent qualification or experience
Project management qualification and/or experience
Achieved, working toward or willing to work towards full membership of the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply (CIPS) or equivalent

Essential qualities

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

What we can offer you

As well as a competitive salary, you will have access to all the benefits of working for a public sector organisation including a defined benefits pension scheme, generous holiday allowance, hybrid working (1 day office, 4 days remote working at present) and other flexible working options.

You will have access to staff discounts and a range of other initiatives which reflect our commitment to creating a positive work-life balance for all our employees.

Find out what makes Scotland Excel an employer of choice and what benefits we can offer you on our Work For Us page.

How to apply

We welcome applications from all backgrounds, whether it is public or private sector.

The fixed term post may be open to secondment for applicants already working within public sector, providing agreement from your current employer.

We welcome applications 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 of it in your covering letter.

In order to be considered for this post we ask that you provide

a CV (max.3 pages)
a cover letter in which you should describe how your work experience to date and personal qualities would make you an excellent fit for this position.

Click the apply button to submit your application.

Submissions without a covering letter or 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