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Procurement Manager (13-Month Maternity Cover)
Contract Type: Fixed-term (June 2025 - July 2026)
Location: Hybrid - Didcot, UK (Minimum 2 days per week in Harwell office)
Salary: £50,000 - £55,000 per annum
A leading UK innovation organisation is seeking a confident and experienced Procurement Manager to join its Commercial Services team on a 13-month maternity cover contract. This is a key role ensuring procurement processes are timely, compliant, and value-driven across a unique and impactful organisation operating at the forefront of science, technology, and research.
The Role:
Reporting to the Head of Commercial Services and working closely with the Procurement Business Partner, you'll be responsible for delivering procurement activity in line with the Procurement Act 2023, ensuring effective contract management, strategic procurement planning, and robust internal compliance.
Key Responsibilities:
Lead end-to-end procurement processes aligned with internal policy and public sector regulations.
Safeguard and manage procurement compliance, particularly under the Procurement Act 2023.
Monitor regulatory updates and implement necessary process changes.
Determine effective routes to market and provide sound procurement advice across the organisation.
Draft tender specifications, evaluation criteria, contracts, and change notes with clear deliverables.
Maintain an active procurement pipeline and manage contract lifecycles.
Review non-standard terms and provide risk-based assessments.
Conduct due diligence and challenge exceptions to procurement policy where necessary.
Deliver training, support compliance across digital procurement tools, and assist in financial monitoring.
Requirements:
Strong experience running procurements under Public Contracts Regulations and knowledge of the Procurement Act 2023.
Skilled in drafting tender and contract documentation and challenging specifications.
Confident in reviewing legal terms and identifying procurement risks.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Highly organised with good time management and the ability to handle competing priorities.
Proficient with Microsoft Office and adaptable to new systems.
Desirable:
MCIPS qualified or working toward it.
Experience across a mix of funding types (grant, commercial, public/private sector).
Experience with finance systems and technology-focused organisations.
Familiarity with SAP ByDesign.
Benefits:
Flexible working hours and hybrid arrangements
Work-from-home options
Private healthcare and life insurance
Wellness and employee assistance programmes
Enhanced maternity/paternity leave
Additional holiday and sabbatical opportunities
Paid volunteer days
Professional development support
Team social events, clubs, and cycle-to-work scheme
Success in This Role Means:
Procurement continues to run smoothly, compliantly, and delivers value for money.
Internal stakeholders are well-supported and processes are clearly understood and followed.
This is a fantastic opportunity for a procurement professional with strong public sector experience to step into a visible and vital role during an exciting period of legislative transition and organisational growth.
