Procurement Officer

**Overview**:
Education Scotland is Scotland's national improvement agency for education. We are an executive agency of the Scottish Government. Our role is to provide assurance and promote improvement, from the early years to adult learning. We are committed to embedding our values of excellence, creativity, integrity and respect in everything we do. Educational improvements have far reaching benefits beyond schools and educational establishments and therefore the work that we do is important for Scottish society as whole.

This post is a great opportunity to work in public procurement within Education Scotland at a hugely exciting time as we deliver on our enhanced remit.

The post holder will support Education Scotland colleagues procure of a wide range of goods and services. They will ensure compliance with the procurement regulations and drive the realisation of identifiable savings and benefits for the organisation, and will also contribute to the wider government economic agenda including improving business for SMEs, Equality awareness and delivering the Sustainability agenda. This will be achieved through the deployment of innovative sourcing techniques and ongoing procurement and supplier management methods.

This role can be based out of one of our Education Scotland office locations Glasgow, Livingston, Aberdeen, Inverness or Dundee.

**Responsibilities**:

- You will effectively manage a range of customers/stakeholders within Education Scotland, leading the development, planning and implementation of commodity strategies for medium-high value, medium-high risk procurements, optimising value for money while ensuring key objectives and critical success factors are achieved. The post holder will need to be able to present business issues in a clear and concise method.
- You will lead and manage all stages of the complete end-to-end public sector procurement process. This includes from initial conception, stakeholder analysis, commodity profiling, market and environmental analysis, strategy development through full regulated threshold (previously EU regulations) procurement process, evaluation to contract award whilst ensuring compliance with procurement policy and procurement regulations.
- You will be required to ensure that all commodity strategies and tender documentation are compliant with legislation, optimise value for money and address Scottish Government policy aspirations such as sustainability, fair work practices and the inclusion of Small to Medium Enterprises (SME) and supported businesses.
- Build and maintain good working relationships with a range of customers within Education Scotland. Resolve conflict between the customers and stakeholders and provide procurement advice and guidance on, policy and procedure requirements to develop competency across Education Scotland. You will be required to deal with a range of stakeholders, from senior leaders to junior colleagues, as well as senior staff from suppliers.
- You will assist your customers and provide procurement support on supplier performance during the contract lifecycle through the use of contract/supplier reviews and appropriate management information to identify risks to delivery, time, cost and quality.
- You will work effectively with customers and relevant suppliers to ensure that contract data information such as spend, savings and wider benefits are reported in a timely manner, prepare and submit a range of reports to facilitate decisions taken by stakeholders on procurements and contracts.
- Advising on legal, policy and other requirements relating to procurement. Support the procurement and grants lead to draft replies to Freedom of Information Questions on procurements and contracts.
- Drafting all associated tender documentation and using relevant tools and systems in delivery of procurement projects including Public Contracts Scotland, eRDM and the Single Procurement Document.

**Additional Information**:
Professional/Technical - Procurement

Requires a broad understanding of public sector procurement. Competent in leading end to end Procurement Process legislative thresholds. Supporting a variety of customers in leading and developing a mix of routine and more complex specifications and invitation to tender documentation in line with procurement legislation. Understands when and how to negotiate. Capable of effectively sourcing and tendering for a range of commodities and services ensuring delivery of value for money. This includes tender evaluation and processes leading to contract award and debriefing suppliers. Supports customers by establishing contract management processes and ensuring ongoing

**Key competencies**:

- Communications & Engagement
- Self-Awareness
- Analysis & Use of Evidence
- Improving Performance

**Essential Criteria and Qualifications**:
Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (CIPS) qualification would be desirable but **not** essential.

**Essential Criteria**:
1.Solid knowledge an