Head of Procurement Services Division

The Scottish Procurement and Property Directorate (SPPD) is seeking a transformational leader who will own and drive forward improvements in the Procurement Services Division. This is a varied role as you will be expected to use your commercial expertise to lead on the SGs application of all stages of the procurement process.

As the Head of Procurement Services Division you will lead a team, developing their commercial leadership to shape commercial approaches for the organisation within a complex and uncertain context. You will be expected to use your commercial leadership to take measured risks in order to deliver better approaches and services.

The Head of Procurement Services is an exciting post involving strategic leadership, operational delivery and with significant opportunity for reform and transformation. You will be working both within SG and across the central government sector with a focus on commercial activity, and the delivery of a wide range of cash and non-cash benefits and outcomes. As a contracting organisation, SPPD is unique in placing both national and sectoral collaborative agreements, in addition to undertaking SG's own procurement requirements, ensuring procurement acts as a strategic enabler for a wide range of government policies - including fair work, community benefits, sustainability and equality.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic direction and leadership of procurement within SG, along with specific projects across a wide range of SG Directorates, covering a number of Ministerial priorities and meeting various SG operational requirements. This involves the full end-to-end procurement process, along with the delivery of a wide range of Ministerial priority areas - including third sector/SME/supported business access, climate change and fair work.
• Oversee work to improve the capability of procurement activity across both SG and the wider Central Government (CG) sector. This includes support for the network of Delegated Purchasing Officers across SG, as well as work to improve and support contract management across SG.
• Provide strategic direction and leadership of the CG sector Procurement Shared Service which provides procurement advice and support to a wide range of public bodies. This includes the provision of a fully managed service for a number of smaller bodies and specific project support across bodies of all sizes.
• Represent the CG sector at the highest strategic public procurement leadership groups within Scotland - the Public Procurement Group (PPG), the Procurement Supplier Group (PSG).
• Interface as required with Cabinet Office, Crown Commercial Service, UKG Departments and Devolved Administrations to ensure broader awareness and relevant alignment of procurement activity across the UK.
• Be a catalysis for reform and transformation of Procurement within SG, public bodies and the Division, building the operational efficiency, capacity and capability, Identify and act on opportunities for innovation to secure organisational improvement.
• Represent the Division at a senior level within SG - regular interactions with SG's Executive Team, and with Ministers/Special Advisers.
• Lead on Commercial Value for Money Programme work across Government to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of grants by applying commercial expertise to grant-making and grant management processes.
• Lead, manage and mentor a team of around 77 procurement professionals.