Procurement and Contract Management Service - Lead

This new post sits within the developing procurement and contract management service of Audit Scotland's Corporate Services Group, reporting to the Business Support Services Manager. The postholder acts as the specialist lead, advising on route to market, evaluation and award, and overseeing contracts through to exit. The role also manages and develops a small procurement and contract management team, coaching colleagues on commissioning and supplier management.

Interviews include a presentation, and degree-level or equivalent experience is required.

• Provide specialist input to the procurement strategy, annual procurement plan and pipeline
• Lead or support regulated and higher-value procurement exercises
• Advise on route to market, evaluation methodology, supplier selection and contract award
• Review and approve tender documents, procurement strategies, evaluation reports and award recommendations where appropriate
• Support the contract management framework and help ensure contracts are actively managed through their lifecycle
• Support supplier relationship management and proportionate assurance on higher-risk or higher-value contracts
• Build internal capability through coaching, guidance, templates and knowledge sharing
• Manage and develop a small procurement and contract management team
• Ensure compliance with procurement policies, delegated authorities, records management and governance arrangements
• Maintain oversight of the procurement pipeline, contract register, supplier performance and related risks
• Provide clear reporting to CSG leadership and governance groups on procurement activity, risks and improvement actions
• Support internal and external audit activity relating to procurement and contract management

• Degree-level qualification or equivalent relevant experience

• Experience providing specialist procurement, contract management and commercial advice in a public-sector or similarly regulated environment
• Experience supporting complex or high-value procurement activity
• Experience strengthening contract management practice, supplier performance arrangements and organisational capability

• Strong knowledge of Scottish public procurement requirements and contract management good practice
• Knowledge of Public Contracts Scotland, PCS-Tender, contract registers and contract lifecycle management
• Commercial risk, negotiation, commercial analysis and supplier performance management skills
• Stakeholder engagement, influencing, coaching, prioritisation and clear report-writing skills

• Collaborative, proportionate, solutions-focused, accountable and resilient approach

• Experience supporting procurement or contract management improvement, including developing guidance and processes
• Knowledge of collaborative frameworks, sustainable procurement, fair work and community benefits
• Project or programme management, facilitation and training material development skills
• MCIPS or working towards MCIPS
• Relevant project, programme or management qualification such as PRINCE2, MSP or CMI
• Experience supporting professional capability and more consistent contract ownership across an organisation

• 42 days annual leave including public holidays
• Local government defined benefit pension with 17.6% employer contributions
• Personal development allowances
• Flexible working hours
• Hybrid working across office, home and client sites
• Wide range of professional development opportunities