Procurement strategy: April 2025 to March 2028

Appendix 3 – Talent Creation, Development and Retention Programmes

The Procurement People of Tomorrow programme

Focuses on encouraging, enabling and developing new entrants in our profession across Scotland and embedding diversity within our teams.

People Capability Strategy

Embeds a supportive and learning culture, assessing and addressing evolving learning priorities and supporting our organisational Diversity and Inclusion strategies.

The Scottish Government Delegated Purchasing Officer Scheme

Ensures that those authorised to award contracts within the Scottish Government have the necessary qualifications, training or experience for their level of delegated responsibility.

National Procurement Development Framework

Sets out procurement and commercial standards and facilitates continuous professional development and career paths, enabling effective recruitment and retention.

The Scottish Government Contract and Supplier Management programme

Ensures that those accountable for managing contracts within the Scottish Government have the necessary training and tools to drive the delivery of those contracts.

The Commercial Capability programme

Seeks to improve commercial outcomes through targeted training and earlier engagement with clients and commissioners. This is underpinned by our National Procurement Development Framework and our annual Commercial Week.

Directorate Business Management Unit (DBMU)

Deliver and improve cross-directorate efficiency and effectiveness, consolidating a number of functions, including strategy and planning, communications, audit and risk, governance, metrics and reporting, and financial management.

eProcurement and Management Information Shared Services (ePMISS)

Facilitate leadership of public procurement digital systems in Scotland, managing Public Contracts Scotland (PCS), Public Contracts Scotland-Tender (PCS-Tender), Procurement Information Hub, and Management Information Platform, and embed purchase-to-pay controls, governance and assurance through PECOS P2P.

National Collaborative Procurement Division (NCPD)

Place national agreement contracts for the whole of the Scottish public sector including the central government sector. Also work on digital projects through the Digital Commercial Service team and lead work on procurement of innovation. Procurement Services Division (PSD)

Provide a range of purchasing and contract management support services to Scottish Government core directorates. Deliver leadership and policy implementation as the Central Government Centre of Procurement Expertise. Provide a range of shared services to the central government sector.

Procurement and PPM Policy and Strategy (PPPS)

Develop and advise on progressive and sustainable procurement policy and legislation for Scotland, maximising the impact of our profession on economic, social and climate related outcomes. Set Scotland’s procurement, commercial and project delivery standards, driving capability programmes to create, develop and retain the talent we need today and tomorrow. Support policy and the implementation of social care procurement and market shaping. Provide best practice tools and guidance for buyers and suppliers through the Procurement Journey and Supplier Journey. Drive continuous improvement of procurement approaches in Scotland through the Procurement and Commercial Improvement Programme (PCIP).

Property and Construction Division (PCD)

Lead, enable and deliver the best public sector property and construction procurement policy for Scotland, transforming, innovating and enhancing the work of procurement professionals and the stewardship of Scottish Ministers’ property.

Workplace Division

Lead the strategic planning of an effective and efficient Scottish Government estate which is the right size; drives innovation and improvement to change the way the Scottish Government uses its estate and fleet, in line with industry best practice, to drive value-for-money and support the journey to net zero; and deliver services to maintain a safe, secure and resilient estate.

Public Procurement Strategy for Scotland Vision:

Putting public procurement at the heart of a sustainable economy to maximise value for the people of Scotland