Description QUALITY MEAT SCOTLAND THE APPOINTMENTS ARE FOR FOUR YEARS FROM NOVEMBER 2025 Quality Meat Scotland is the public body responsible for helping the Scottish red meat sector improve its efficiency, sustainability, integrity and profitability and maximise its contribution to Scotland's economy. Our internationally recognised and approved assurance schemes cover over 90% of livestock farmed for red meat in Scotland. With centuries of tradition behind them, Scottish red meat farmers pride themselves on meeting the very highest standards demanded by modern consumers. QMS will promote and protect the Scotch Beef, Scotch Lamb and Specially Selected pork brands through clear, effective communication to ensure consumers fully understand what sets our brands apart – the Scotch Difference. QMS also provide quality assurance initiatives to build the brand of Scotch Beef, Scotch Lamb, and Specially Selected Pork, and are dedicated to delivering professional services that help protect the Scottish meat industry and enable growth in domestic and international markets. See the QMS 5 year strategy 2024-2028 here Responsibilities BOARD MEMBER ROLE Board members of QMS are appointed entirely on merit, to maintain the mix of skills, knowledge and experience required to allow the Board to successfully fulfil its duties as a Public Body. A board member’s responsibilities include: setting the strategic and cultural direction of the organisation; providing oversight on issues of strategy, performance and resources; monitoring the reporting of performance and holding management to account through purposeful and constructive challenge and scrutiny; contributing to decision-making and to the work of board committees and advisory groups; acting as “ambassadors” for QMS by communicating clearly and effectively and establishing and promoting the work of QMS in the industry and community. The Person Specification sets out the skills, knowledge and experience required across the three new board members. The operational work of the organisation is delivered by around 31 QMS staff led by the Chief Executive, Sarah Miller. Levy Payers It is written in legislation that at least 50% of Board Members must be levy payers. At this time there are 50% of levy payers on the board and as such from the three appointments being made in this round, it is not an essential requirement to appoint levy payers, however that would not deter from us appointing levy payers* to ensure the 50% level is maintained ‘Levy Payers’ means a producer, slaughter or exporter of cattle, sheep or pigs, or the owner of any of these animals at the time of slaughter (this includes employees of those businesses and/or family members who are involved in such activities). Further information For further information about Quality Meat Scotland and the roles, please contact the QMS Chief Executive, Sarah Millar at smillar@qmsscotland.co.uk You can also find out more about QMS at www.qmscotland.co.uk/. REMUNERATION AND TIME COMMITMENT Members of the Board receive £198.36 per day, as at 1 July 2025. Expenses incurred as a result of carrying out the duties of the appointment, including reasonable travel and subsistence costs and dependant carer and childcare expenses, will be reimbursed. The appointment is non-pensionable. The Board meets six to eight times each year with Members of the Board committed to a maximum of 20 days per year. By the nature of a non-executive member role, the time commitment will vary from week to week. It involves a mix of activities including preparing for and attending Board meetings and undertaking other duties and responsibilities such as engaging with stakeholders and occasionally attending events. Qualifications SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE In respect of these posts, both the priority and essential criteria are a mandatory requirement. The priority criterial will be tested at both application and at interview stage. The essential criterial will only be tested an interview stage. Priority Criteria To apply, applicants need to demonstrate evidence of at least one of the priority criteria and should consider where they have strengths - applicants can if they chose demonstrate evidence of more than one of the priority criterion, but this is not mandatory. Knowledge and experience of animal production (specifically pig or sheep) Knowledge and experience of financial and risk management with particular reference to audit processes and internal control of resources Knowledge and experience of red meat processing Essential Criteria At interview, applicants will be asked to evidence the priority criteria chosen and will need to evidence all three elements of the essential criteria: Ability to challenge constructively and contribute to high quality decision making and priority setting within a Board or team environment. Ability to communicate clearly and effectively to a range of stakeholders. Ability to contribute effectively to strategic planning and risk management processes. QMS value very highly the benefits of having different experience and points of view on our Board. We particularly welcome applications from those with protected characteristics that are currently under-represented on the QMS Board. These include women, disabled people, LGBTI people, those from black and minority ethnic communities. We also welcome applications from people living within rural and islands communities who have knowledge and insight of the work of QMS and how it impacts on the needs and aspirations of those communities. If you have a disability and require an adjustment at any stage of the public appointments process, please get in touch with the Scottish Government, Public Appointments Team by email at public.appointments@gov.scot. APPLICANT INFORMATION PACK To assist in your application, please read the Applicant Information Pack. The Pack includes further information on the role and additional details on the criteria being assessed. TO APPLY FOR THESE ROLES, FOLLOW THESE INSTRUCTIONS: Download and save the Applicant Information Pack to refer back to. Read the ‘person specification’ and ‘how to apply’ section in the pack. Navigate back to this job advert and click ‘apply’. Complete the personal information and conflict of interest questions. Respond to the application questions against the criteria being assessed, noting the word limits in the application pack. PLEASE NOTE you do not need to submit any attachments or links, when prompted to, please skip this step. PLEASE NOTE you do not have the option to edit your application once you click ‘submit’. You must have all your information and attachments to hand before submitting your application. Late applications cannot be considered by the panel. Full details on how to apply, and the evidence that should be submitted at the application stage, are set out at pages 9 – 12 of the Applicant Information Pack. Completed applications must be submitted by 23:59 on 18 August 2025. If you require a reasonable adjustment at any stage of the appointments process or if require further support with your application, please contact the Scottish Government, Public Appointments Team by email at public.appointments@gov.scot. ABOUT PUBLIC APPOINTMENTS Public appointments are made by Scottish Ministers. The appointments process is regulated by the Ethical Standards Commissioner you can find out more about the Commissioner here: Public appointments | Ethical Standards Commissioner EQUALITY STATEMENT Scottish Ministers value highly the benefits of diverse Public Body Boards. People from all walks of life are encouraged to apply for public appointments. Find out more about our commitment to diversity and how we offer and support recruitment adjustments for anyone who needs them. FURTHER INFORMATION Public Appointments - Guidance and Support for applicants FAQ’s about the application process .