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Join the SDP Team as our New Customer Development Officer

Are you passionate about customer service, and have an understanding of public sector tendering and stakeholder engagement? If your answer is yes, the Supplier Development Programme would like you to apply to be the new member of our team!

About the Supplier Development Programme

The Supplier Development Programme (SDP) is a Local Authority Partnership Programme established to offer small and medium sized enterprises (SME) the opportunity to grow and diversify through procurement. SDP aims to assist SMEs performance in winning contracts in the public sector by providing information, support and training events to help unravel the tendering process.

The programme works closely with all 32 Scottish local authorities, Scottish Government, 18 public bodies, and 3 corporate members to increase visibility of contract opportunities, deliver supplier engagement, tender training and to support local Community Wealth Building initiatives.

The Role

We are looking for a self-motivated and enthusiastic individual to fulfil the Customer Development Officer role to deliver stakeholder engagement for our current members and to support the design, delivery, promotion, servicing, and monitoring of new SDP memberships, including events and activities across Scotland. You should have an in-depth knowledge of business development, customer service, with excellent project management and co-ordination skills.

A key aspect of the role is to engage existing members to support them to utilise our services, promote our training programme to their local supply base through co-ordinating/planning projects and training events. In addition, you will seek to identify new public sector organisations and primary contractors in the private sector who may also wish to work with the Supplier Development Programme. The role will also involve attending exhibitions and events and supporting the SDP team in the delivery of SDP’s large-scale annual Meet the Buyer events.

SDP Staff Perspectives

So, what is it like to work for the Supplier Development Programme? Find out what our team have to say:

Elizabeth Bailey, Development Officer, is the longest-serving member of the SDP Team, having been with the programme for 15 years. She said:

“For me, working with SDP comes with great job satisfaction, supporting small businesses to have a clearer understanding of the procurement process and feel better equipped to take those first steps of bidding for a public sector tender contract, new supply chain interaction, or Community Wealth Building opportunity.

“As a key link between local authorities and Scotland’s local business base, we have a responsibility at SDP to help improve and advocate for stronger supplier engagement, while helping to demystify the challenges suppliers face when bidding.”

Julie Shennan, Development Officer - Marketing and Events, has been working at SDP for 18 months. She said:

“Working with SDP is great because no two days are the same, and almost everything moves at a fast pace! We collaborate with the best and brightest people in the public and private sectors, to help Scottish SMEs win more public sector contracts. The work we do helps grow businesses and makes a difference! We’re a small, passionate, close- knit team and we’re looking forward to meeting our new colleague!”

Apply Now

If you think you would be a good fit for this role, we would love to hear from you. 

To find out more details and apply, please visit www.myjobscotland.gov.uk.