12 Permanent, Procurement jobs in Kilbirnie, North Ayrshire

About the role

This is an exciting opportunity to support Scotland Excel's work with organisations who provide a nurturing home for children and young people who are Care Experienced. Based within our Children & Families Team, the successful candidate will support colleagues to oversee a range of National Contracts, including Secure Care, Fostering & Continuing Care and Children's Residential Care with Education. The successful candidate with undertake a range of activities within the lifetime of our current Contractual Framework, and also support us as we identify and prepare for future opportunities. We would welcome applications from colleagues who have a background in either Strategic Commissioning or Procurement: we would also welcome applications from colleagues who have experience of operational service delivery within Secure Care, Foster Care and Residential Childcare.  

Key tasks for which the post holder will be responsible:

• Support and coordinate all stages of Scotland Excel’s approved procurement process in order to deliver high value / high risk contracts; advise and guide others as required.
• Support User Intelligence Groups to develop and implement innovative procurement strategies, ensuring that key objectives and critical success factors are achieved
• Support the delivery of contract recommendations through the development of consistent and robust assessments, and in accordance with agreed procurement principles
• Support sustainable procurement policy and practice in the delivery of contracts to local authorities
• Through effective use of business and market intelligence, carry out analysis and distribution of costs, quality, usage and other key data to support local authority local strategic commissioning objectives
• Assist in developing, preparation and distribution of a range of reports required to monitor the performance and effectiveness of care & support providers and the sector more generally
• Prepare key stakeholder assessments for input to managing/developing contract solutions which ensure effective service delivery
• Undertake research to identify new service delivery options, conducting market, provider and financial appraisals as appropriate
• Involved in assessing financial documentation submitted to assist in identifying potential concerns of provider sustainability and flagging up possible risks of service disruption
• Engage with stakeholders (including the people who use services), ensuring that the business is represented in an effective and professional manner.
• Assist the successful implementation and management of contracts, through a cycle of continuous improvement from initiation to expiry, ensuring that all relevant Scotland Excel publications are uploaded and maintained with contract information that meets customer requirements
• Monitor developments in commissioning best practice
• Ensure that own work activities comply with Scotland Excel’s commitment to health and safety regulations and Scotland Excel’s HR policy, procedures and practices
• Coordination, instruction, advising and guidance of team members
• Deputise for the Senior Procurement Specialist as/when required

The desired post holder will meet the following criteria:

• HND in a business or care related subject
• Significant experience in a commissioning/procurement environment
• Involved in managing the commissioning/ procurement of services from initiation through to contract management and renewal
• Demonstrable commercial aptitude and ability to deliver results to agreed timescales in a demanding work environment
• Skilled in Microsoft Office applications and relevant software systems used to process contracts & management information

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.

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 including a 9 day fortnight.

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.

Applying for the post

We welcome and encourage applications from all individuals, regardless of background, and encourage candidates from underrepresented groups to apply.

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 cover letter.

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

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

Submissions without a cover 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.