Commodity Specialist

NHS National Services Scotland; Scotland; Hybrid; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A public health service organization in Scotland is seeking a Commodity Specialist to enhance procurement processes. This role involves supporting national tenders, analyzing supplier data, and managing contracts. Candidates should possess HND qualifications and strong data analysis skills. Benefits include a pension scheme, flexible working options, and opportunities for professional development. The position is hybrid with a work pattern of Monday to Friday, 37 hours per week.

Benefits

Pension scheme

Work-life balance policies

Occupational health services

Learning resource centres

Discounted leisure, financial and shopping benefits

Qualifications

• Strong data gathering and analysing capabilities.
• Experience in procurement or Health Service background is an advantage.

Responsibilities

• Support the development and delivery of national tenders and contracts.
• Analyse supplier spend data and support the evaluation of supplier bids.
• Prepare e-procurement catalogues and manage a portfolio of contracts and suppliers.

Skills

Data gathering

Data analysis

Attention to detail

Procurement experience

Health Service background

Education

HND level or equivalent

Job description

Commodity Specialist

(Medical / Surgical Team)

This post is a 12 Month Fixed Term / Secondment position. As per the Fixed Term Contacts Policy - Where individuals with continuous service within the NHS apply for fixed-term contract roles, NSS reserves the right to refuse any such appointment.

About the Organisation:

National Services Scotland (NSS) is a national NHS Board operating right at the heart of NHSScotland providing invaluable support and advice at a strategic and operational level. NSS supports customers to deliver their services more efficiently and effectively and we offer shared services on a national scale using best-in-class systems and standards. Our priority is always the same – to improve the health and well‑being of the people of Scotland. We do this by working in partnership with colleagues across Health and Social Care to deliver fit for purpose solutions and systems, delivering high quality services that help our stakeholders to free up resources so they can be re‑invested into essential services.

The Post:

This is a challenging opportunity to help harness the buying power of more than £2.5 billion spent each year across the NHS in Scotland. National Procurement (NP), the Procurement Centre of Expertise for Health, works in collaboration with Health Boards to ensure the highest level of patient care through the provision of a wide range of goods and services via a series of best value National Contracts and Distribution Services. NP manages circa 400 national contracts, with a spend value of circa £1.5 billion.

The Candidate:

Data and information are key to the success of this process. Working with a Commodity Manager you will support the development, implementation and delivery of national tenders and contracts whilst building specialist procurement, product and market knowledge. Educated to HND level (or equivalent) you will have strong data gathering and analysing capabilities with an eye for detail. The role includes analysing supplier spend data, supporting the online tender process and evaluation of supplier bids, preparing e‑procurement catalogues and supporting the Commodity Manager to manage a portfolio of contracts and suppliers. Experience in procurement or Health Service background would be an advantage.

Working closely with a Commodity Manager, as part of a Category Team, on the job training and professional procurement development is encouraged.

Location and Working Pattern:

This post will be based at National Distribution Centre, Larkhall or Gyle Square, Edinburgh.

Currently hybrid working.

The work pattern for this post is Monday to Friday, 37 hours per week.

It is a condition of this employment that you must live and remain a resident within the UK for the post in which you will be employed with NSS.

Benefits:

Our benefits package includes pension scheme, comprehensive range of work‑life balance policies, occupational health services, learning resource centres and discounted leisure, financial and shopping benefits. HR Benefits Brochure.

Inclusion:

NHS National Services Scotland (NSS) is a national board and, as an anchor institution, it is our ambition to be a diverse and inclusive organisation where everyone feels welcome. We recognise that flexible working creates an inclusive workplace where employees can thrive and feel confident about their ability to balance their personal and professional responsibilities. This is supported through Once for Scotland flexible working policies. NSS has made a long‑term commitment to staff health and well‑being and offers many learning and development opportunities to support and improve our approaches to diversity, inclusion and mental health in the workplace. There are a number of equality staff networks in place which all staff are welcome to join. We are also an equal opportunities employer and as such guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for our vacancies. As an accredited Disability Confident Leader, it is the aim of NSS to offer a fully accessible and inclusive recruitment service that supports applicants on their candidate journey. If you are interested in any reasonable adjustments, please contact the Recruitment Team on [e-mail]

Further information:

For an informal discussion on the post, please contact Stuart Gillespie, Category Manager on [e-mail]

Closing date for completed applications is 5 January 2026

Further information on NSS is available from: https://www.nss.nhs.scot/

Please note that the majority of correspondence is sent by e‑mail only, so please check your e‑mail regularly (including junk folders).

NHS National Services Scotland is an equal opportunities employer and as committed participant in the disability confident scheme, guarantees to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for our vacancies.