Procurement Manager
Posted 8 hours 56 minutes ago by SKAO
Permanent
Full Time
Science & Technology Jobs
Lancashire, Manchester, United Kingdom, M21 0
Job Description
At the SKAO we are coordinating a global effort to deliver one of the largest science facilities on the planet. The SKAO telescopes will be next-generation instruments that will help to answer key questions in astrophysics, drive technological innovation and support human capital development.
More than a dozen partner countries and over a thousand scientists and engineers around the world are already on board, making the SKA project an international collaboration like no other, and one of the most ambitious science and engineering endeavours of the 21st century.
Headquartered in the UK, with telescope sites in Australia and South Africa, the SKAO will be one observatory operating two telescopes, an endeavour spanning three continents. Multinational by design, in early 2021 the SKAO became an intergovernmental organisation, one of only a select handful of science infrastructures to do so worldwide.
Our Global HQ is located near the buzzing city of Manchester at the historic Jodrell Bank Observatory, a UNESCO World Heritage site located in the Cheshire countryside. It is home to a rapidly expanding international team of more than a hundred, working in a highly collaborative and inclusive way, in coordination with SKAO teams in Australia and South Africa as part of a global astronomy and engineering community.
Being part of Team SKA means contributing to something extraordinary: a uniquely exciting project to advance human knowledge that will last for decades. In return, we offer a diverse multicultural working environment, 30 days annual leave plus public holidays, a generous pension scheme, visa and support with relocation (if applicable), regular social events, a family-friendly environment and much more. Come and join us!
Are you motivated by the idea of helping to deliver one of the most ambitious scientific projects in the world?
We're looking for a Procurement Manager who will be a senior representative for Procurement Services in the UK reporting directly into the Head of Procurement and Insurance who is also based in the UK. The Procurement Manager will be responsible for leading and shaping procurement strategy whilst ensuring both local and global procurement activity is compliant with the SKAO's defined policies and procedures.
At the Square Kilometre Array Observatory (SKAO), we're building something extraordinary - not just in science and engineering, but in the way we work together. Our procurement team plays a central role in turning vision into reality, ensuring that every contract, partnership, and purchase supports our mission to build and operate the world's most advanced radio telescopes.
In South Africa, SKAO is collaborating with the South African Radio Astronomy Observatory (SARAO) to support the construction and operations of the SKA-Mid Telescope. In Australia, SKAO is collaborating with CSIRO, the national science agency, to support the construction and operations of the SKA-Low Telescope.
Job LocationCheshire, UK (Head Office)
In this role, you will lead procurement planning and delivery, working closely with senior stakeholders, international research organisations, suppliers, and the wider procurement team. You will lead the SKAO Procurement Team in the UK and be responsible for overall team performance and development, with direct line management of a small team.
You will bring a strong combination of commercial acumen, strategic insight, and leadership, ensuring that every contract, partnership, and procurement activity aligns with SKAO's mission, values and Procurement Policy and Manual. You will oversee the end-to-end procurement of various contracts, both high and low value and complexity, ensuring compliance, transparency, and demonstrable value for money.
The role requires strategic leadership and is expected to drive forward broader procurement initiatives that help to champion SKAO's values and support the transition from a focus on high-value, complex construction and engineering contracts towards a high-volume transactional procurement environment. SKAO has recently implemented Proactis as its sourcing, supplier relationship management and contract management software, to enable greater efficiency of low-value, high-volume procurement actions and as a senior team member you will be required to optimise procurement's use of the system.
This will be a hands on procurement role, requiring you to allocate work effectively amongst the UK team whilst personally overseeing a range of end to end procurement actions from low to high complexity and value. This includes procurement actions across all procurement categories (from IT right through to Construction) and includes supporting international tenders as required for both Australia and South Africa. This provides an excellent opportunity to lead a broad range of procurements across multiple sectors and regions.
As a senior member of the SKAO procurement function, you will champion continuous improvement, contribute to the development of procurement policies and frameworks, and support the professional growth of team members. You will promote best practice in supplier engagement, tendering, and contract management, supporting SKAO's commitment to excellence, collaboration, and sustainability.
The role plays a key part in managing SKAO's external stakeholders, with key contact points being the SKAO Member countries' Industry Liaison Officers, government departments and major government funded research bodies. SKAO's procurement practices must take into account the social and economic return to its Member countries.
Based at the Jodrell Bank Office in Cheshire, UK this role may include occasional national and international travel to suppliers and SKAO sites (typically for one week, a couple of times per year).
SKAO is committed to fostering an inclusive and flexible working environment that values diversity and collaboration. We welcome applications from under represent ed groups, including women and individuals with disabilities, and encourage open dialogue during the recruitment process about any specific requirements.
There may be occasions where this role requires work across different time zones, and in line with SKAO policy, flexible working hours will be supported in agreement with the line manager.
Key Responsibilities, Accountabilities and Duties
More than a dozen partner countries and over a thousand scientists and engineers around the world are already on board, making the SKA project an international collaboration like no other, and one of the most ambitious science and engineering endeavours of the 21st century.
Headquartered in the UK, with telescope sites in Australia and South Africa, the SKAO will be one observatory operating two telescopes, an endeavour spanning three continents. Multinational by design, in early 2021 the SKAO became an intergovernmental organisation, one of only a select handful of science infrastructures to do so worldwide.
Our Global HQ is located near the buzzing city of Manchester at the historic Jodrell Bank Observatory, a UNESCO World Heritage site located in the Cheshire countryside. It is home to a rapidly expanding international team of more than a hundred, working in a highly collaborative and inclusive way, in coordination with SKAO teams in Australia and South Africa as part of a global astronomy and engineering community.
Being part of Team SKA means contributing to something extraordinary: a uniquely exciting project to advance human knowledge that will last for decades. In return, we offer a diverse multicultural working environment, 30 days annual leave plus public holidays, a generous pension scheme, visa and support with relocation (if applicable), regular social events, a family-friendly environment and much more. Come and join us!
Are you motivated by the idea of helping to deliver one of the most ambitious scientific projects in the world?
We're looking for a Procurement Manager who will be a senior representative for Procurement Services in the UK reporting directly into the Head of Procurement and Insurance who is also based in the UK. The Procurement Manager will be responsible for leading and shaping procurement strategy whilst ensuring both local and global procurement activity is compliant with the SKAO's defined policies and procedures.
At the Square Kilometre Array Observatory (SKAO), we're building something extraordinary - not just in science and engineering, but in the way we work together. Our procurement team plays a central role in turning vision into reality, ensuring that every contract, partnership, and purchase supports our mission to build and operate the world's most advanced radio telescopes.
In South Africa, SKAO is collaborating with the South African Radio Astronomy Observatory (SARAO) to support the construction and operations of the SKA-Mid Telescope. In Australia, SKAO is collaborating with CSIRO, the national science agency, to support the construction and operations of the SKA-Low Telescope.
Job LocationCheshire, UK (Head Office)
In this role, you will lead procurement planning and delivery, working closely with senior stakeholders, international research organisations, suppliers, and the wider procurement team. You will lead the SKAO Procurement Team in the UK and be responsible for overall team performance and development, with direct line management of a small team.
You will bring a strong combination of commercial acumen, strategic insight, and leadership, ensuring that every contract, partnership, and procurement activity aligns with SKAO's mission, values and Procurement Policy and Manual. You will oversee the end-to-end procurement of various contracts, both high and low value and complexity, ensuring compliance, transparency, and demonstrable value for money.
The role requires strategic leadership and is expected to drive forward broader procurement initiatives that help to champion SKAO's values and support the transition from a focus on high-value, complex construction and engineering contracts towards a high-volume transactional procurement environment. SKAO has recently implemented Proactis as its sourcing, supplier relationship management and contract management software, to enable greater efficiency of low-value, high-volume procurement actions and as a senior team member you will be required to optimise procurement's use of the system.
This will be a hands on procurement role, requiring you to allocate work effectively amongst the UK team whilst personally overseeing a range of end to end procurement actions from low to high complexity and value. This includes procurement actions across all procurement categories (from IT right through to Construction) and includes supporting international tenders as required for both Australia and South Africa. This provides an excellent opportunity to lead a broad range of procurements across multiple sectors and regions.
As a senior member of the SKAO procurement function, you will champion continuous improvement, contribute to the development of procurement policies and frameworks, and support the professional growth of team members. You will promote best practice in supplier engagement, tendering, and contract management, supporting SKAO's commitment to excellence, collaboration, and sustainability.
The role plays a key part in managing SKAO's external stakeholders, with key contact points being the SKAO Member countries' Industry Liaison Officers, government departments and major government funded research bodies. SKAO's procurement practices must take into account the social and economic return to its Member countries.
Based at the Jodrell Bank Office in Cheshire, UK this role may include occasional national and international travel to suppliers and SKAO sites (typically for one week, a couple of times per year).
SKAO is committed to fostering an inclusive and flexible working environment that values diversity and collaboration. We welcome applications from under represent ed groups, including women and individuals with disabilities, and encourage open dialogue during the recruitment process about any specific requirements.
There may be occasions where this role requires work across different time zones, and in line with SKAO policy, flexible working hours will be supported in agreement with the line manager.
Key Responsibilities, Accountabilities and Duties
- Lead the SKAO Procurement Team in the UK, with responsibility for overall team performance, work allocation, coaching and development, including direct line management of a small team.
- Lead initiatives to develop and enhance the SKAO procurement function, including the development and maintenance of procurement policies, embedding sustainability across the global procurement lifecycle, strengthening local supplier participation, and improving procurement processes, reporting tools, culture, and ways of working.
- Build strong collaborative relationships with senior internal and external stakeholders, including research funding bodies, government agencies, and partner research institutions, to develop and deliver effective procurement strategies and plans.
- Provide expert procurement advice and guidance to support informed decision-making, resolve issues efficiently, and ensure all activities meet legal, regulatory, quality, and value for money requirements.
- Lead end to end procurement activities for contracts of varying value and complexity, including developing procurement timelines, identifying commercial risks and mitigation strategies, and managing procurement procedures in accordance with the SKAO Procurement Manual.
- Develop and edit specific contracts and agreements between the SKA and its supplier organisations, usually within a reasonably well defined framework or with standard provisions. This often involves using standard SKAO Purchase Order Terms and Conditions templates, as well as NEC4 templates with specific Z clauses as needed.
- Lead contract negotiations and support project managers to resolve contract management issues arising post award.
- Develop and present attractive procurement award recommendations to the SKAO's Procurement Subcommittee and In Kind Review Subcommittee.
- Represent the SKAO procurement function at senior level international meetings.
- Produce regular and ad hoc procurement reports on key performance indicators such as spend, sustainability, and local supplier participation, providing analysis, insights, and recommendations to support decision making.
- Ensure local procurement is carried out in compliance with the SKAO Procurement Policy and associated procedure notes, and represent Procurement Services locally in matters related to tendering for high value contracts for goods, services and works.
- Managing local insurance policies and claims as required.
- Deputise for the Head of Procurement Services and Insurance as required.
- Undertake any other reasonable duties as directed by the line manager.
- Demonstrated leadership and direct line management experience, with a strong track record of developing, coaching, and improving team performance.
- MCIPS Professional Accreditation or working towards the completion of.
- Bachelor's degree in a relevant discipline such as Business Management, Procurement, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience demonstrating a strong background in procurement.
- Strong interpersonal skills, with the credibility and professionalism to engage . click apply for full job details