Senior Procurement Specialist - B3

Procurement is much more than buying the goods, services or works the public sector need. Colleagues in the profession balance cost, quality and time considerations. It's also about ensuring we use our collective spending power to innovate and to deliver social, economic and environmental outcomes aligned to Scotland's National Performance Framework.

The Agriculture and Rural Economy (ARE) Directorate works to support Scotland's sustainable economic growth, especially in the rural economy, making the most of Scotland's environment, natural assets and advantages - its people, landscapes, biodiversity, agriculture, food & drink and animal welfare.

As a Senior Procurement Specialist within ARE's Agriculture Digital and Data Division (AD&D), you will play a crucial role in ensuring compliance with the public procurement regulations, identifying opportunities for savings and benefits and to contribute to the wider government agenda including improving business for SMEs, equality awareness and delivering the sustainability agenda.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development, planning and implementation of procurement strategies for high-value, high-risk procurements optimising value for money for stakeholders within AD&D.
• You will be able to lead and manage all stages of the end-to-end public sector procurement process. This includes from initial conception, strategy development, through the full procurement delivery cycle, to contract award, ensuring compliance with relevant public procurement legislation and Scottish Government procurement policies.
• Ensure that all stages of your procurement delivery addresses the Sustainable Procurement Duty and contribute to the government's sustainability agenda.
• Work effectively with a wide range of key stakeholders, including customers, colleagues and external markets to deliver credible procurement strategies and contracts.
• Actively manage suppliers and engage with customers advising them on their contractual agreements and options using product and market knowledge.
• You will be required to manage a number of activities and projects concurrently and therefore need to have effective time and task management skills.
• Work flexibly within the team, Division and across the Directorate to help deliver the organisation's wider goals in line with the Directorate Plan.