Procurement Manager

Who are APUC?

Advanced Procurement for Universities and Colleges (APUC) is the Centre of Procurement Expertise for, and owned jointly by, all of Scotland's Universities and Colleges; it provides a wide range of procurement / supply chain related shared services both as a central team and within Universities and Colleges throughout Scotland.

We currently employ around 90 people, many of whom are based in Colleges and Universities but with some based in our regional offices in Stirling (HQ), Glasgow and Edinburgh.

Forth Valley College

Forth Valley College is a fast-paced, exciting environment with a tendering pipeline covering Estates, ICT, Professional Services and more. Procurement is well-regarded within the College – APUC have provided a shared service here since around 2011. The College are one of Scotland’s leading provider of education and training delivering more than 750 courses from their main campuses in Alloa, Falkirk and Stirling.

Purpose of the Job

Reporting to the Supply Chain Manager within the college, the role holder will cover a variety of spend areas within the College as well as ensuring that the relevant supporting activities including systems management and reporting are completed in line with institutional and statutory needs.

Person Specification

Knowledge and Skills

• Have effective and highly responsive customer management skills;
• Be of high intellectual calibre, with the highest ethical standards;
• Studying towards (or prepared to study towards) achieving Membership of the Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply;
• Have the essential competencies of clarity of purpose, self confidence,integrity and strong influencing power; and
• Have operational knowledge of Scottish/UK procurement legislation as it relates to the HE/FE sector;
• Have a good and developing understanding of the key ethical/social & environmental impacts of multi-level supply chain management
• Be conversant with generic (contract law etc) legal aspects of supply chain management
• Have an understanding of multi round price / supply management negotiation
• Operational knowledge of the principles of contract drafting and negotiation

Experience

• Experience of project management processes and of meeting demanding targets and deadlines on a day to day basis
• Have purchasing experience in an organisation with best in class public sector procurement practices
• Be experienced in the tendering and supply chain management methodologies
• Data analysis experience and production of management reports
• Advanced spreadsheet skills and the ability to use financial models to present efficiency performance

Contacts and Relationships

• The post holder must build strong working relationships with all stakeholders and develop the reputation of APUC as a source of expert guidance and support both to institutional customers and suppliers

How to apply

APUC offer regular training, career development and a variety of funding options to enable candidates to pursue professional and leadership qualifications. The roles offers generous holidays, flexible hours and working patterns, competitive remuneration, a positive working environment and pension arrangements with employer/employee contributions.

We're currently working on a hybrid approach to office and remote working, with colleagues coming in to the office around 2 days per week. Space is available for those who want to come in more than the minimum, and we have in-person and online events throughout the year to make sure we stay well connected. Colleagues in institutions will make local arrangements depending on that particular institution's approach but the vast majority are operating with hybrid models too (and this would all be clarified during the recruitment process).

If you are interested in applying please email your full CV (two pages maximum) to careers@apuc-scot.ac.uk, along with covering letter (no more than one page), explaining why you feel you would like to work with APUC and in the particular role mentioned, noting your current salary level and notice period.