Procurement Officer

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An Expression of Interest is invited for a Procurement Officer within the Scottish Government, available on a lateral move for Core SG colleagues only. The role, based in Glasgow or Edinburgh with a hybrid working pattern, is a permanent B1 grade post with delegated purchasing authority around £500k and will primarily service the Central Government Procurement Shared Service. You will lead end-to-end low and medium value procurements, support high-value procurements, advise on policy and procedures, and build strong relationships with customers and strategic suppliers while advancing sustainability and SME inclusion. A relevant professional procurement qualification (CIPS Level 3 Advanced Certificate, WCC Fundamentals, SVQ3 in Procurement and Supply Chain) or significant equivalent experience is required, with BPSS checks. To apply, submit a max 500-word Expression of Interest detailing your fit, procurement and data analysis skills, and what you would bring to CGPSS, highlighting collaboration, clear communication, and your ability to balance cost, quality and timelines. Applications close 11 August 2026; interviews are scheduled for w/c 3 August 2026.

This is an Expression of Interest (EOI) opportunity, available on a lateral move basis only. Applications are open to Core Scottish Government employees only. 

Job Title: Procurement Officer

Business Area/Directorate: Procurement Services Division (PSD), SPPD

Location: Glasgow or Edinburgh

Working Arrangement: The team follows a hybrid working approach, where colleagues use a mix of office based and remote working (working from home) depending on the requirements of the role and personal circumstances.

Grade: B1

Advert Type: Level Transfer

Duration: Permanent

Eligibility: Expressions of Interest are invited from substantive colleagues on level transfer from Core SG only. 

Skilled Worker sponsorship is not available for this role. As a result, we are unable to appoint candidates who require Skilled Worker sponsorship now or in the future. Applicants must have an existing and ongoing right to work in the UK.

Overview 

Procurement is much more than buying the goods, services or works the public sector need. Colleagues in the profession balance cost, quality and time considerations. It’s also about ensuring we use our collective spending power to innovate and to deliver social, economic and environmental outcomes aligned to Scotland’s National Performance Framework.

As a Procurement Officer you will be managing the procurement of public contracts for a wide range of variety of goods and services. These contracts deliver for some of the most important areas of government. The level of Delegated Purchasing Authority for this role is commonly in the region of £500,000.

The role will be primarily focussed on servicing the Central Government Procurement Shared Service (CGPSS).  This service offers other Central Government organisations support in all aspects of procurement and contract management. We help our partners to maximise value and performance from their contracting activities whilst managing risk and remaining compliant with changing legislation and policy.  

Key responsibilities

• You will lead end-to-end low- and medium-value/risk procurements and support senior procurement staff on high-value/risk procurements, ensuring compliance with legislation and optimising value for money while addressing Scottish Government sustainability and SME inclusion aspirations.

• You will engage effectively and build good working relationships with a range of customers and strategic suppliers to deliver credible procurement projects.

• You will provide advice and guidance on procurement policy and procedures and best practice to staff and stakeholders, and communicate business issues clearly and concisely.

• You will use appropriate procurement tools, techniques, best practice and systems in your procurement project activity, and supporting team members and leaders in managing the team Management Information (MI) and systems.

• You will work flexibly within the team, Division and across the Directorate to help deliver the organisation’s wider goals in line with the Directorate Plan.

Qualifications

This is a specialist role which requires evidence of a commitment towards continuous professional development including attainment of a relevant professional procurement qualification such as:

• CIPS Level 3 Advanced Certificate;
• WCC Fundamentals Certification; or
• SVQ3 in Procurement and Supply Chain

Significant, demonstrable experience operating and delivering procurement and supply chain activities at an advanced level may be considered equivalent to a formal qualification, particularly where accompanied by a commitment to attain a recognised professional accreditation once in post if not already held.

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

1. Commercial Competence – Working Knowledge
2. Legislation – Working Knowledge

You can find out more here : Procurement competency framework - gov.scot

Experience

• Strong written and verbal communication skills to build good working relationships with customers, combined with strong planning and organisational skills to balance competing priorities and meet tight deadlines are required. 
• Experience of collating and analysing data/information from a variety of sources is also required.
• No prior procurement experience is required if qualification criteria is met. However, significant, demonstrable experience operating and delivering procurement and supply chain activities at an advanced level may be considered equivalent to a formal qualification, particularly where accompanied by a commitment to attain a recognised professional accreditation once in post if not already held 

Behaviours

• Communicating & Influencing
• Delivering at Pace

You can find out more about Success Profiles Behaviours, here: Behaviour levels - Success profiles: candidate guide

Working Pattern

This post is a full-time role, but we welcome applications from staff with different working patterns. Proposed working patterns will be assessed against the business requirements for this post. 

Our standard hours are 35 hours per week.  We offer a range of flexible and hybrid working options depending on the needs of the role. If you have specific questions about the role you are applying for, please contact us.

Further Information 

Further information about this opportunity is available from Anna Penman [email protected]

How to Apply 

Please submit an Expression of Interest (maximum 500 words) outlining your suitability for the role, relevant skills and experience, and what you would bring to the team. 

Vacancies close at 23:59pm on 11 August 2026. 

Selection Process

Applications will be reviewed by panel. Shortlisted candidates who are considered to have the skills and experience will be invited to interview with the hiring manager and another panel member. The panel will recommend the candidate considered most suitable for the post.

Interviews

Interviews will be scheduled for w/c 3 August 2026.