Commodity Specialist

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

A unique opportunity has arisen to join the National Procurement Medicines Team and play a key role in the distribution of vaccines used in national vaccination programmes and in the management of nationally held medicines emergency planning stockpiles.

Working closely with a diverse range of suppliers, distributors and Health Board representatives, you will ensure target stock holdings are maintained, calculate stock allocations and help in responding to stock requests to ensure 'On Time in Full' supply of medicines to health boards.

Working within the Medicines Team, the post holder will have the opportunity to gain procurement experience through supporting a range of medicines procurement projects using formal public tendering processes and will be trained in 'Good Distribution Practice' which is the minimum standards that help ensure the integrity of medicines as they pass through the supply chain.

The Candidate

We are looking for a highly motivated and enthusiastic person who is commercially aware, has strong data gathering and analysing capabilities with an eye for detail, and works effectively in multidisciplinary teams.

The candidate will also demonstrate personal qualities consistent with NHS National Services Scotland's values to work together with respect and care, openness and integrity, to focus on our customers, demonstrate commitment to each other and excel and improve.

The Post Holder Should

• Be educated to HNC level and have proficient working knowledge of MS Excel and / or ability to manage data effectively
• Have 2 years demonstrable experience preferably within the procurement profession
• Show initiative and excellent personal, written and verbal communication skills and computer literacy.

Location and Working Pattern :

National Procurement has offices in Edinburgh (Gyle Square) and in Larkhall (National Distribution Centre), and NSS will support hybrid working between offices and home.

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 [HIDDEN TEXT]

Further Information

For an informal discussion on the post, please contact Michael Welsh, Commodity Manager via email [HIDDEN TEXT]

Closing date for completed applications is Monday 6th October 2025.

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

Skills Required

Ms Excel