Job description
How would you like to lead an established procurement function, by implementing proactive customer and stakeholder engagement, to deliver a step change and evolution of our procurement and commercial services?
The Procurement Services Division is the procurement delivery function for the Scottish Government. The Division provides procurement and commercial services to both internal stakeholders and external customers (public bodies) through four teams, each led by a Procurement Portfolio Manager. You will be responsible for delivering all aspects of a high-quality procurement and commercial service, while also contributing to the strategic management of the Scottish Government’s Procurement Services Division.
The Procurement Portfolio Manager leads a team of procurement professionals in the development, planning, and delivery of high-value, complex, and high-risk sourcing strategies and Invitations to Tender (ITTs), supporting the delivery of frameworks and contracts. The delegated purchasing authority associated with this role is typically in the region of £25 million.
You will be a member of the Division’s Senior Management Team, playing a key role in the strategic leadership of the procurement function. This includes enabling delivery for key customers across the Scottish Government, supporting major programmes and projects such as Central Government Procurement Shared Services, the Centre of Excellence, Commercial Value for Money initiatives, and the Vessels Replacement Programme.
Responsibilities
- Responsible for all aspects of commercial and procurement governance, demonstrating high quality commercial skills and compliance with public procurement rules. This will include leading a team of procurement professionals in the development, planning and implementation of procurement and commercial strategies for complex high value, high risk, diverse portfolios of procurements.
- Hold key governance roles within high profile programs in the Scottish Government, ensuring that all commercial and procurement risks are articulated, understood and managed appropriately.
- Provide clear direction and leadership to your team as well as internal and external senior stakeholders. The post holder will be required to lead the resolution of complex decisions and issues to achieve outcomes providing robust commercial advice and guidance to customers' senior leadership teams, senior stakeholders and staff.
- Work across the organisation, sharing experience and input to the identification and deployment of best practice.
- Advise on legal, policy and other requirements pertaining to strategic public procurement. The Senior Portfolio Manager will be expert in their portfolio, pushing boundaries with innovative approaches.
- The Procurement Portfolio Manager will proactively manage and develop the supply base to continually improve customer service and value for money whilst delivering sustainable procurement benefits in line with procurement policy.
- Realise identifiable savings and other benefits to the wider government economic and sustainability agenda.
- Work flexibly both within the Division and across the Directorate to help deliver the organisation’s wider goals in line with the Directorate Plan.
- Promote flexible working across the team and contribute to best practice initiatives.
- Work effectively with a range of key stakeholders in Scottish Government, external markets, and Central Government bodies and UK other government departments to deliver credible procurement strategies and contracts.
About us
The Scottish Government is the devolved government for Scotland. We have responsibility for a wide range of key policy areas including: education, health, the economy, justice, housing and transport. We offer rewarding careers and employ people across Scotland in a wide range of professions and roles.
Our staff are part of the UK Civil Service , observing the Civil Service Code and working for Ministers and senior stakeholders to deliver vital public services which improve the lives of the people of Scotland.
We offer a supportive and inclusive working environment along with a wide range of employee benefits. Find out more about what we offer .
As part of the UK Civil Service, we uphold the Civil Service Nationality Rules .
Working pattern
Our standard hours are 35 hours per week and we offer a range of flexible working options depending on the needs of the role, including Flexi-leave. Scottish Government staff in hybrid-compatible roles should aim to work in-person 40% of the time, either in an office or other agreed work location. If you have specific questions about the role you are applying for, please contact us.
Security checks
Successful candidates must complete the Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS), before they can be appointed. BPSS is comprised of four main pre-employment checks – Identity, Right to work, Employment History and a Criminal Record check (unspent convictions).
You can find out more about BPSS on the UK Government website , and read about the Government Vetting Charter , or about all the different levels of security checks in our Candidate Guide .
Internal candidates may need to gain higher security clearance than they currently hold if successful in their application.
Equality statement
We are committed to equality and inclusion and we aim to recruit a diverse workforce that reflects the population of our nation.
Find out more about our commitment to diversity and how we offer and support recruitment adjustments for anyone who needs them.
Further information
Find out more about our organisation, what we offer staff members and how to apply on our Careers Website .
Read our Candidate Guide for further information on our recruitment and application processes.
Qualifications
This is a specialist role which requires evidence of a commitment towards continuous professional development, including external, advanced level professional accreditation of MCIPS/FCIPS, WCC Expert Certification or relevant equivalent*; a pass at the UK Government Commercial Organisation assessment centre at an appropriate level; or a commitment to attaining such an accreditation once in post.
‘Equivalent’ may include accreditation from another relevant professional body or a relevant academic qualification at degree or post graduate level. Significant evidenced experience operating and delivering at an advanced level may be considered as equivalent when accompanied by a commitment to attaining an accreditation once in post.
Success profile
Success profiles are specific to each job and they include the mix of skills, experience and behaviours candidates will be assessed on.
Technical / Professional Skills:
- Commercial Competence (Level 4 Expert)
- Managing High Performing Teams (Level 4 Expert)
You can find out more about the skills required here: Procurement competency framework - gov.scot
Experience
- Strong knowledge and experience in all aspects of the full end-to-end procurement process with clear working knowledge of public procurement legislation. Experience in strategic procurement techniques, supplier management and negotiation within similar size, scale and complexity will be essential.
Behaviours:
- Making Effective Decisions - Level 4
- Communicating and Influencing - Level 4
Find out more about Success Profiles .
How to apply
Apply online, providing a CV and Supporting Statement (of no more than 1500 words) which provides evidence of how you meet the skills, experience and behaviours listed in the Success Profile above.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools can be used to support your application, but all statements and examples provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, and presented as your own) applications will be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action.
Please see our candidate guidance for more information on acceptable and unacceptable uses of AI in recruitment.
If invited for further assessment, this will consist of an interview and Presentation.
Assessments are scheduled for w/c 17th August 2026 and w/c 24th August 2026 however this may be subject to change.
Recruitment Principles
As a government organisation, we adhere to the Civil Service Commission Recruitment Principles and we investigate any complaints received in relation to recruitment cases.
