Full Time

The Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh explores, conserves, and explains the world of plants for a better future. We are a world leading botanical institute and international visitor attraction taking positive action for plants and people; from local communities across Scotland, to more than 40 countries around the world. Our priority is to tackle the biodiversity crisis and the climate emergency and support the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity. Our work builds on our more than 350-year history as a scientific botanic garden, a centre of biodiversity education and training, the internationally important botanical collections in our care, and our extensive international partnerships.

We are looking for an experienced Procurement Manager to join our Finance, Corporate Governance & Risk team. This is a highly responsible role providing technical expertise and advice to colleagues across the organisation. You will get involved in all stages of the procurement process and be the first point of contact for stakeholders on anything relating to procurement.

In particular, the role will be responsible for a number of complex and demanding areas including:
• Continued development of a decentralised procurement process to standardise and simplify procurement approaches across the organisation
• Monitor, review and update our existing policies and documentation
• Provide advice and guidance to our staff involved in the procurement of goods, works and services, including catering and commercial contracts
• Develop standardised process and contract templates for use across the organisation based on the Scottish Government ‘Procurement Journey’
• Ensure compliance with all relevant procurement legislation
• Ensure that environmental and sustainability is embedded within all our procurement activities
• Explore all avenues of potential procurement collaboration
• Manage the process of utilising Scottish Government and other public sector framework contracts across the organisation

Applicants will need a demonstrable track record of knowledge and expertise in public sector procurement processes and procedures and in depth knowledge of Scottish and UK procurement legislation. As a non-departmental public body and a registered charity we operate within the accounting and governance requirements of both the public and charity sectors, and knowledge of both areas would be advantageous. In addition you’ll ideally be a member or working towards membership of the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply (CIPS).

Although we see this as a full-time role, applications will also be considered from exceptional candidates looking to work on a part-time basis.

To apply please email recruitment@rbge.org.uk with:

• your CV
• a covering letter outlining the skills, knowledge and experience you’d bring to the post
• a completed equal opportunities questionnaire – available on our website

JOB PURPOSE

This role carries out end-to-end payroll and pensions processing, ensuring timely and accurate payments to ca. 1300 staff, compliant with regulatory requirements and by delivering excellent customer service. As well as cyclical payroll/pensions activity it will support the ongoing development of our processes, and will act as deputy to the Payroll & Pensions Manager.

We offer a generous annual holiday entitlement as soon as you start
working with the Trust – for a full-time employee, it’s 30 days per year plus
7½ days around the festive period.

Generous employer pension contributions available

You will receive an employee card, which gives free entry to you, any of your children under the
age of 18 and one other adult to National Trust for Scotland and National
Trust properties, as well as a 20% discount on most purchases in National
Trust for Scotland retail outlets.

The Trust currently operates its payroll through a bureau service. However, the aim is to bring Payroll back ‘in-house’ using the Access PeopleXD HR & Payroll system. Initially, this role will support the Payroll & Pensions Manager in the delivery of the project to remediate the Payroll system, as well as carrying out day-to-day payroll activities to support payroll bureau, line managers and staff.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AND ACCOUNTABILITIES

Day-to-day running of cyclical payroll and pension processes for ca. 1300 employees, including (but not limited to):

Processing starter, leavers, and contractual changes in the payroll system

Processing statutory deductions and notifications, including PAYE, NI, Study Loans, Court Orders

Calculating and processing statutory and occupational absence payments, including SSP & SMP

Processing all payroll liabilities, including third-party payments as required

Carry out payroll and pensions reconciliations to ensure accuracy of payments made

Responsible for preparing of monthly BACS file

Assisting with the year-end process, including producing P60s, P11Ds

Ensuring that relevant records are retained for audit purposes

Resolving staff pension and payroll queries

Ensuring pension administration is undertaken on a cyclical or ad hoc basis, including (but not limited to):

Carrying out pension enrolment, and processing opt-ins and opt-outs

Making changes to pension schemes and contributions levels (driven by policy, product, or legislation)

Undertaking payroll and pensions administration (including, but not limited to):

Acting as a first point of contact for all payroll related matters, including management of internal payroll mailbox

Liaising with third-party providers as required, including HMRC and pensions providers – for example, resolving enquiries from them, providing or seeking data as required

Supporting strategic and tactical payroll and pension planning through the provision of data and reports as required

Supporting line managers to ensure correct processes are followed

Supporting the Payroll & Pensions Manager with the continuous improvement of the payroll processes

Supporting the Payroll & Pensions Manager with the development and delivery of employee awareness sessions and training

Working closely with People Team to ensure seamless payroll processing

Acting as the deputy for the Payroll & Pensions Manager in their absence or at their request, assuming full responsibility and accountability for payroll and pensions processing.