Description
Job Description
Are you a strategic thinker, passionate about sustainability and opportunities for renewable energy, with the ability to innovate and influence the future strategy for the purchase of energy for the public sector in Scotland?
We are looking for an innovative, ambitious senior procurement manager to join our National Collaborative Procurement Division (NCPD), leading the procurement of the national Utilities Frameworks. This role requires a blend of strong commercial skills, expert technical and market knowledge and a desire to deliver creative and transformative solutions supporting our drive for future renewable energy contracts in Scotland. As Senior Procurement Manager of the Utilities team, you will lead the procurement of the Scottish Government’s flagship national collaborative utilities frameworks. With an annual spend of over £1.18 bn and targeted annual savings in the region of £72m, these high value / high risk commodities require strategic and innovative thinking and strong market knowledge.
In this role you will support our ambitions to tackle the Climate Emergency and support our journey to Net Zero by developing our strategy to deliver more renewable energy options to the public sector which could include the establishment of a framework agreement for Power Purchase Agreements. As well as being responsible for the management of a portfolio team, you will be a member of the NCPD Senior Management Team, responsible for leading delivery of the NCPD Service Enhancement Plan, working with the Head of Collaborative Procurement to implement a change programme which will help to deliver even greater efficiencies for the public sector, with a strong focus on the customer experience and increasing delivery of savings.
Responsibilities
* Provide clear direction and leadership to those within the team, and also external stakeholders to encourage the delivery of key business objectives.
* Engage and influence senior stakeholders to maximise use of frameworks and contracts and deliver value for money outcomes through procurement.
* Work across the organisation, sharing experience and input to the identification and deployment of best practice.
* Advise on legal, policy and other requirements pertaining to public procurement.
* Be an expert in your portfolio, pushing boundaries with innovative approaches.
* Proactively manage and develop the supply base to continually improve customer service and value for money whilst delivering sustainable procurement benefits in line with procurement policy.
* Drive the delivery through leading and accelerating benefits for the Scottish public sector. You will realise identifiable savings and other benefits to the wider government economic and sustainability agenda.
* Work flexibly both within the Division and across the Directorate to help deliver the organisation’s wider goals in line with the Directorate Plan.
* The level of Delegated Purchasing Authority for this role is commonly in the region of £25 million.
Qualifications
This is a specialist role which requires evidence of a commitment towards continuous professional development, including external, advanced level professional accreditation of MCIPS/FCIPS, WCC Expert Certification or relevant equivalent*; a pass at the UK Government Commercial Organisation assessment centre at an appropriate level; or a commitment to attaining such an accreditation once in post.
* ‘Equivalent’ may include accreditation from another relevant professional body or a relevant academic qualification at degree or post graduate level. Significant evidenced experience operating and delivering at an advanced level may be considered as equivalent when accompanied by a commitment to attaining an accreditation once in post.
Success Profiles
Success profiles are specific to each job and they include the mix of skills, experience and behaviours candidates will be assessed on.
Technical / Professional Skills
1. Commercial Competence (Level 4 Expert)
2. Managing High Performing Teams (Level 4 Expert)
3. Risk Management (Level 5 Master / Leader)
You can find out more about the skills required here: procurement competency framework
Experience
Strong knowledge and experience in all aspects of the full end-to-end procurement process with clear working knowledge of public procurement legislation. Experience in strategic procurement techniques, supplier management and negotiation will be essential.
Behaviours
* Behaviour 1 – Making Effective Decisions (Level 4)
* Behaviour 3 – Communicating and Influencing (Level 4)
* Behaviour 4 – Changing and improving (Level 4)
You can find out more about Success Profiles Behaviours, here: Behaviour levels - Success profiles: candidate guide - gov.scot
How to apply
Apply online, providing a CV and Supporting Statement (of no more than 1500 words) which provides evidence of how you meet the skills, experience and behaviours listed in the Success Profile above.
If invited for further assessment, this will consist of an interview and a power point presentation.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools can be used to support your application, but all statements and examples provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, and presented as your own) applications will be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance for more information on acceptable and unacceptable uses of AI in recruitment.
Assessments are scheduled for w/c 01/12/25 however this may be subject to change.
About us
The Scottish Government is the devolved government for Scotland. We have responsibility for a wide range of key policy areas including: education, health, the economy, justice, housing and transport. We offer rewarding careers and employ people across Scotland in a wide range of professions and roles.
Our staff are part of the UK Civil Service, working for Ministers and senior stakeholders to deliver vital public services which improve the lives of the people of Scotland.
We offer a supportive and inclusive working environment along with a wide range of employee benefits. Find out more about what we offer.
As part of the UK Civil Service, we uphold the Civil Service Nationality Rules.
Working Pattern
Our standard hours are 35 hours per week and we offer a range of flexible working options depending on the needs of the role. From October 2025, the Scottish Government will require staff in hybrid-compatible roles to work in-person 40% of the time, either in an office or other agreed work location. If you have specific questions about the role you are applying for, please contact us.
Security checks
Successful candidates must complete the Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS), before they can be appointed. BPSS is comprised of four main pre-employment checks – Identity, Right to work, Employment History and a Criminal Record check (unspent convictions).
You can find out more about BPSS on the UK Government website, or read about the different levels of security checks in our Candidate Guide.
Equality statement
We are committed to equality and inclusion and we aim to recruit a diverse workforce that reflects the population of our nation.
Find out more about our commitment to diversity and how we offer and support recruitment adjustments for anyone who needs them.
Further information
Find out more about our organisation, what we offer staff members and how to apply on our Careers Website.
Read our Candidate Guide for further information on our recruitment and application processes.
Apply before; 27th October (23:59)
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