Ask the Expert: Stuart McLean, Procurement Office

 Tell us about your time at the University and beyond—How you started, what roles you’ve had and what they were like? How have things have changed over time?

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I started as a printer in the University's Print Office in 1986 when it was located in the Old College. I was a time-served printer having served a 5-year apprenticeship in Leith when the print industry was thriving. During the following years I ended up managing the Print and Design unit which was rebranded as Printing Services and moved to 13 Infirmary Street (I think it was 1998), and at the same time combined the various other print units that were scattered around the University in King's Building, George Square and High School Yards.

My early memory was myself my colleague Allan White and the then secretary Melvin Cornish working through the night moving large 2-tonne print machines out the window in Chambers Street to Infirmary Street. In the 80s-90s, a lot of the operational elements of the University were all on hard copy, 5-part order forms for various purposes, newsletters, and stationery. 

The reporting line of Printing Services changed in 1999 with the first appointment of a Director of Procurement, Tom Chadwick. I then started my studies to become a Member of the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply, taking the long SVQ route which took 3 years to complete.

I then gradually migrated to a full-time role in the Procurement Office and by then this was being expanded and managed by Karen Bowman. Karen was a key influence to further my career in this newly formed department and in particular her active interest in sustainability and fairtrade and how this is implemented through purchasing decisions, rubbed off on me. The Printing Service management was taken over by Janet Dalgarno who took the department to a new level of on-line integration.

During the time in the Procurement office I became the Category Manager for the Professional and Campus Services team. Our portfolio includes Travel, catering, Soft Services, HR, Financial Services and the list goes on. I had a great team and we really gelled, I will miss them the most as they made my career, on a day to day basis enjoyable and I consider them to be my friends as well as colleagues, they also put up with my terrible sense of humour albeit they didn't tell me that my humor was filled with Dad Jokes until they knew I was leaving :-)

You’ve played a huge part in the development of sustainable and socially responsible procurement over the years—can you talk a bit how you became interested in this and how your work developed?

This area of work my key driver in Procurement and one which I got the most satisfaction from. Again it was really Karen Bowman who mentored me in the early years and it is a rewarding area for anyone to work in, if you're able to make a difference. 

My colleagues in Social Responsibility and Sustanability (SRS) were also very supportive in many ways and a lot of the success was down to them and the champions of sustainability in the University both in management and outside in other related organisations such as EUAC, HEPA, APUC and other European-based organisations.  We developed tools and engaged with clients in the Uni, Scottish Gov, suppliers and other organisations and developed Policies along the way, and won some awards which was good, especially the award dinners! I also enjoyed presenting and being part of workshops, engaging students as part of their final year studies, etc.

What are some other highlights of your time work at the University? Can you tell us a bit about what’s next for you?

The highlights for me were the people. I have met a lot of great individuals in my 35 years with the University. I will certainly miss that element and also the flexibility awarded to me to create a good work/life balance and being able to get involved in areas that interest me. 

Being part of the Professional Services team also gave me valuable insight into how each Support and Academic area works and the professionalisms involved. It is such a diverse place to work and for that I am really grateful.

Whilst some may say I'm old enough, Im not retiring! I have a wide variety of interests that I am going to make more time to pursue but I am also wanting to take all the learning and experience and look for further career opportunities in the future. Maybe when the Covid-19 pandemic has abated I will get the chance to catch up with my colleagues again in Biblos (other pubs are available).