Contract & Supplier Management Specialist

Grade UE07: £41,064 – £48,822 per annum

Finance Directorate / Procurement Department

Full-time: 35 hours per week

Fixed-term: 12 months contract

Edinburgh University is a world leader.

Our vision is “To become world class in everything we do, recognised as a trusted strategic partner in the successful delivery of the University’s Strategy 2030”.

We’re looking for great people to join our Contract & Supplier Management (CSM) team in our award-winning Procurement department.

Procurement at Edinburgh University is undergoing a major transformation as we extend the scope of our influence and impact across our £1bn world-renowned organisation.

To deliver on our commitments we are now looking for people who make things happen, who challenge the status quo, are excited about working in a diverse, dynamic environment and really want to make a change.

Be part of our new Procurement journey.

The Opportunity:

We are looking for a Contract & Supplier Management Specialist to join our Strategic Procurement team. The Department currently comprises of four ‘Category’ Teams; Information Services & IT, Professional Campus Services, Estates & Buildings, and Laboratories & Medical - of which the CSM Specialists will be allocated. Embedded within the Strategic Procurement function, the Contract & Supplier Management Specialist is responsible for supporting the delivery and development of the contract and supplier management activities within the Procurement Department, ensuring the right outcomes are delivered and the performance of contracts is maximised, as well as adding value through enhancement of supplier relationship management.

Through the development of strong internal and external relationships, the post-holder will effectively manage a range of key suppliers to maximise the outcomes and benefits to the University through supplier relationship management and contract management processes, with the objective of delivering the following:

• Effective management and monitoring of supplier performance and supply chain risks;
• Commercial and operational value through its contracts with its suppliers, reducing costs and increasing value-add;
• Environmental and social impact through the life of the contracts, driving forward the responsible procurement agenda; and
• Identification of opportunities for in-life innovation and creativity to drive efficiency and consistency.

The post-holder will be expected to contribute to the University’s financial wellbeing and international research profile, by delivering cash savings and other cost efficiencies; and supporting the knowledge creation and transfer which lies at the heart of the University’s Strategy 2030.

Successful candidate will join a forward-thinking, ambitious and supportive procurement team, already well advanced in a service transformation programme. As part of the wider Finance Directorate, we aim to deliver world‑class services to the University’s academic teaching and research staff and our professional services colleagues, in keeping with the institution’s Top‑20 World Ranking.

You will engage directly with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders, ensuring that Procurement delivers innovative, fit for purpose solutions which are aligned to University objectives and Government policy.

Candidates will be encouraged to exercise initiative and discretion, taking ownership of CSM projects that deliver maximum benefit across the University.

Your skills and attributes for success:

• Self‑motivated and proactive, with a passion to help shape and develop the service.
• Good commercial competence, risk management, and strong negotiation skills.
• Personal credibility and ethics; capacity and confidence to manage contracts and deliver change with aptitude for implementing and improving best‑practice procedures.
• Demonstrable experience of negotiation skills.
• Relevant contract and supplier management experience.
• Good computing literacy and numerical analysis skills with excellent attention to detail.
• Strong communication and negotiation skills and commercial judgement.

The job description can be found here

As a valued member of our team, you can expect:

• A competitive salary.
• An exciting, positive, creative, challenging and rewarding place to work.
• To be part of a diverse and vibrant international community.
• Comprehensive Staff Benefits, including generous annual leave entitlement, a defined benefits pension scheme, a wide range of staff discounts, family‑friendly initiatives, and flexible work options. Check out the full list on our staff benefits page and use our reward calculator to discover the value of your pay and benefits.

Championing equality, diversity, and inclusion

The University of Edinburgh holds a Silver Athena SWAN award in recognition of our commitment to advance gender equality in higher education. We are members of the Race Equality Charter, and we are also Stonewall Scotland Diversity Champions, actively promoting LGBT equality.

Prior to any employment commencing with the University, you will be required to evidence your right to work in the UK. Further information is available on our right to work webpages.

On this occasion the University will not consider applicants requiring sponsorship for this role. International workers will therefore only be able to take up this role if they can demonstrate an alternative right to work in the UK.

Key dates to note

The closing date for applications is 19 October 2026.

Unless stated otherwise, the closing time for applications is 11:59 pm (UK time). If you are applying from outside the UK, the closing time shown on our adverts will automatically adjust to your browser’s local time zone.

Interview dates to be confirmed.

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