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.

Edinburgh Napier University

(ENU) is ranked within the Top Ten modern University in the UK. They are ranked the top modern University in Scotland for both research power and research impact. Their operations are spread across 3 campuses in Edinburgh: Craiglockhart, Merchiston and the base for this role: Sighthill. The University is home to 19500 students from over 140 countries and first opened in 1964.

Purpose of the Job

Reporting to the Head of Strategic Procurement within the University, the role holder will assume leadership of a defined portfolio of spend (including Information Services, International Operations, Finance, Marketing) and own all supply chain activity in relation to this portfolio. Additionally, the role holder will provide procurement business partnering for a number of key internal client departments / academic schools. You will be required to deputise for the Head of Strategic Procurement in these areas where necessary. You will have responsibility for one team member operating within your portfolio but will be expected to display a positive, inclusive approach to mentoring/knowledge transfer across the whole team.

Person Specification

Knowledge and Skills

• Accomplished supply chain management professional with demonstrable record of success in a similar role
• Have effective and highly responsive customer management skills;
• Attention to detail and a methodical approach to systems management and organisation.
• Be of high intellectual calibre, with the highest ethical standards;
• Have the essential competencies of clarity of purpose, self-confidence, integrity and strong influencing power;

Required Experience

• Public sector procurement with extensive knowledge of EU/GPA level tendering
• Legal aspects of supply chain management (ideally as they apply to Information Services contracts)
• Meeting demanding targets and deadlines on a day to day basis
• Data analysis and production of management reports
• Advanced spreadsheet skills and the ability to use financial models

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

We are recruiting for a Procurement Manager to work for APUC within the core collaborative contracting team. The role will be responsible for a number of defined commodity areas within the HR & Professional Services category and will be responsible for managing and undertaking full end-to-end tendering, ongoing contract management and engaging with key stakeholders. The role will also be involved in responsible procurement activity across APUC and the wider UK sector.

Suitably experienced procurement professionals who possess the ability and desire to develop their careers further as opportunities and challenges present themselves are therefore sought for this position.

Desired skills for the roles:

• Appropriate level of knowledge and experience of Regulated Procurement directives
• Stakeholder engagement skills at all levels
• Category strategy formulation and implementation
• End-to-end tendering experience
• Contract Management skills
• Knowledge and experience of incorporating sustainable procurement best practice into the procurement process including strategy, specifications and through contract management and the wider supply chain
• Excellent communication skills
• Operate independently and effectively as well as being an integral member of the team
• Proficient in the use of the procurement related e-tools

The post holder will be an ambassador for APUC, it's client institutions and the profession generally and will demonstrate the highest levels of professionalism and ethical behaviour. The role is a demanding one and as APUC is an organisation that continues to develop to meet the dynamic needs of its client institutions, an experienced procurement / supply chain professional at the relevant level is sought for this role with the ability and desire to develop further as opportunities and challenges present themselves.

Working at APUC

• Hybrid working arrangements (on site attendance circa 2 days per week in either Glasgow or Stirling office)
• Generous holidays (26 days plus 14 fixed/floating days)
• Flexible hours and working patterns (including working a 9.5 day fortnight as standard)
• Regular training, career development and funding options for MCIPS and other professional and leadership qualifications
• Positive working environment
• Pension arrangements with employer/employee contributions
• Flexible discounts; shopping, restaurants and other services via 'EdenRed My Lifestyle' hub
• Employee assistance programme; staff support and counselling
• Cycle to work and child care salary sacrifice scheme.