Head of Procurement – Fife College
Dunfermline, Scotland, United Kingdom
The Head of Procurement is responsible for contributing directly to the success of Fife College, which is one of the largest colleges in Scotland. It has five campuses located across Fife: Dunfermline, Kirkcaldy, Glenrothes, Levenmouth and Rosyth.
This is an exciting time to join the College, with the newly opened, state‑of‑the‑art Dunfermline City Campus – carefully designed to provide learners with the best possible experience and facilities for their course. It is also the first major development to adopt the Scottish Government’s Net Zero Public Sector Buildings Standard.
This role presents a unique opportunity to collaborate strategically with a strong, pragmatic senior leadership team across a wide range of areas – from Estates and Digital to Professional Services. The postholder will have the College Services: East Team to lean on – a collaborative, experienced, and friendly bunch who are always happy to share best practice.
The prospective Head of Procurement should have demonstrable experience of working within a procurement role with some autonomy, and have relevant tendering experience with appropriate knowledge of EU / Scottish procurement regulations. Of paramount importance are excellent stakeholder management, organisational and communication skills.
The post holder will be required to utilise techniques of cost reduction, supplier selection and demand management, along with production/leverage of enhanced management information, market intelligence and advanced supplier/contract management techniques including monitoring and delivery of improvements in ethical/social and environmental aspects and continue to maintain APUC’s position as a leading Centre of Procurement Expertise.
Responsibilities
* Establish & maintain Procurement Strategy (statutory duty) and the annual Procurement Report (statutory duty).
* Manage senior & operational and key centrally managed supplier relationships.
* Support staff involved in procurement directly employed by Fife College (FC) as required.
* Coordinate, without a direct reporting line, a procurement network within FC of people involved in devolved operation procurement activity / procurement process gatekeeping.
* Undertake appropriate spend analysis activity and manage tendering of institution‑wide specific supplies/services where significant benefit for FC or where proposed by FC senior management.
* Oversee contract & supplier management in partnership with stakeholders across FC.
* Develop and facilitate procurement processes based on the “Procurement Journey” and provide operational guidance for lower‑value procurement exercises below formal tender levels.
* Enshrine robust and relevant sustainable procurement principles within FC supply chain management, within the framework of EU procurement directives, Scot‑Gov, UK‑Gov CE declarations and sector adherence to the Climate Commission targets.
* Implement the Supply Chain Code of Conduct and the Scottish Government Sustainable Procurement Duty.
* Plan and deliver FC‑focused procurement awareness training.
* Provide the key link between FC and the APUC collaborative procurement team and facilitate the implementation of suitable framework agreements.
* Represent FC on the sector‑wide Procurement Strategy Group and contribute to sector‑wide joint initiatives in relation to procurement on behalf of FC.
* Undertake a contract sweep and populate and manage ongoing the Hunter contract register, contract update tools etc.
* Undertake statutory reporting for FC and routine reporting within FC.
* Provide an options appraisal for FC in higher‑risk or grey‑area procurement to enable informed judgement.
Knowledge and Skills
* Effective and highly responsive customer management skills; high intellectual calibre and highest ethical standards.
* Membership of the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply or working towards this (preferred).
* Essential competencies of clarity of purpose, self‑confidence, integrity with strong influencing ability; knowledge of Scottish/UK purchasing legislation as it relates to the HE/FE sector.
* Sound commercial acumen.
Experience
* Proven organisational skills and ability to meet demanding targets and deadlines day‑to‑day.
* Extensive procurement experience including the management of end‑to‑end tender processes, contract drafting and negotiation and contract management.
* Experience in production and manipulation of procurement‑related data and production of management reports; advanced data manipulation skills and the ability to use financial models.
Contacts and Relationships
* Build strong working relationships with relevant stakeholders and develop the reputation of APUC as a source of expert guidance and support to institutional customers and suppliers.
* Influence, negotiate and achieve consensus with clients, colleagues and contractors.
* Maintain a positive, supportive, can‑do attitude and be a role model for less senior staff.
About 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. With collaboration, responsibility, and integrity at the heart of what we do, we help our member institutions achieve their objectives, whether that is putting together framework agreements, reducing sector carbon emissions or working directly in one of our client institutions.
Joining APUC means joining a community of peers and having the chance to network throughout the year.
Why work for us
* Work‑life balance with flexible work options, including compressed hours and on‑site attendance at Fife College’s Dunfermline Campus.
* Hybrid working flexibility.
* Holiday entitlement equivalent to 26 × 7 hour days plus 14 × 7 hour fixed and floating days, prorated for part‑time.
* Flu‑and holiday closure policy and public holiday coverage.
* Automatic enrolment into pension scheme and group life assurance from day 1.
* Enhanced maternity, paternity and shared parental pay.
* Wellbeing activities and events throughout the year.
* Career development with performance reviews and funding for professional and leadership qualifications.
* Cycle‑to‑work schemes, retail and gym discounts via mydiscounts portal.
* Home & Technology benefits.
* Access to Scotwest Credit Union for loans, mortgages and savings.
* Employee Wellbeing Policy, mental health support and Employee Assistance Programme.
* Employee Representative and Consultation Group with quarterly meetings.
How to Apply
Send your CV and covering letter, noting your current salary level and notice period.
Seniority level: Director
Employment type: Full‑time
Job function: Purchasing and Supply Chain
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