Scotland Excel was established as the Centre of Procurement Expertise for the local government sector in 2008. We are a leading non-profit organisation servicing Scotland’s 32 local authority and over 175 associate members from across the public and third sector. We pride ourselves in being a Centre of Procurement Excellence and this is a great opportunity to join our award-winning organisation.

Scotland Excel is continuing to experience a growing demand for our capability as a centre of procurement expertise for public sector, from local authorities across Scotland and other organisations in the public domain.

As a result, we are seeking to recruit a Commercial Lead on a 2-year fixed term basis to join our National Savings Team or Projects Team.

About the role

The successful candidate will have a good understanding of public sector procurement and enjoy working across various clients, services, and opportunities simultaneously. We are seeking individuals with a strong commercial acumen combined with a thirst to drive procurement savings and efficiencies. Excellent negotiation skills and analysis experience will be key to the role.

Key Responsibilities for this role:

• Assume ownership for developing and implementing process improvement initiatives to delivery greater efficiencies.
• Responsible for review and analysis of established sourcing arrangements and implementing refined processes to realise the benefits of collaborative procurement.
• Drive commercial excellence through the implementation of well-defined sourcing strategies.
• Liaise with and positively influence key stakeholders in the procurement process to ensure optimum solutions are delivered.
• Identify savings opportunities and implement innovative procurement strategies throughout the contract life cycle to ensure the delivery of efficiency, effectiveness, and value to local authorities.
• Implement robust performance reporting framework to monitor effectiveness of projects delivered.
• Ensure compliance with standing orders, statutory provisions, EU directives, other relevant legislation and key stakeholder policies, procedures and processes.

The successful candidate will have the following desired qualifications and relevant experience:

• Educated to degree level or equivalent qualification or experience.
• Achieved, working toward or willing to work towards full membership of the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply (CIPS) or equivalent.
• Significant experience in a commercial environment
• Experience of solving complex business problems and translating these into a clear strategy and plan
• Experience of managing stakeholder relationships at all levels within an organisation

The following values are at the heart of everything we do at Scotland Excel and the successful candidate will be expected the demonstrate these daily:

• Professional
• Respectful
• Courageous
• Integrity

More about Scotland Excel

Scotland Excel provides a wide range of procurement, commissioning, consultancy, and learning and development services for our 175 members which is growing on a monthly basis. We are also an effective driver for local and national economic growth and wellbeing.

Our £2bn portfolio of collaborative contracts supports the delivery of savings, social value, community benefits, fair work practices and environmental policy, and covers a wide range of public services including construction, roads, transport, environment, corporate and education.

What we can offer you

As well as a competitive salary, you will have:

• Access to a defined benefits pension with Strathclyde Pension Fund. Current combined contribution of employee and employer varies depending on earnings but can be between 24-32%
• A generous holiday allowance of 33 days including public holidays. This increases on a sliding scale up to an additional ten days subject to length of service
• Flexible working opportunities including hybrid working and a nine-day fortnight
• Access to staff discounts through Viv-up employee benefit platform
• Time off during office closure over Christmas and New Year (included in holiday allowance)
• Our commitment to employee engagement including regular corporate and team events as recently recognised by us retaining Gold Investors In People Award
• A wealth of training opportunities including from our own award-winning Academy

We welcome applications from all backgrounds, whether it is public or private sector. Secondment opportunities may also be available subject to agreement from current employer and Scotland Excel. Applications are also welcome from candidates with disabilities and guarantee an interview to those candidates who meet the essential requirements for the position. If you have a disability, please make us aware when submitting your application.

All applicants will be asked to provide proof of their right to work in the UK, and any offer of employment will be conditional upon verifying documentary evidence before employment commences. Further information can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/prove-right-to-work

Click apply now to send your CV (max 3 pages) before 5pm on 19th August 2025, please note the reference number when applying.