Procurement Specialist

This role will be based at the SKAO Headquarters at Jodrell Bank, Cheshire, UK.

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 Specialist who thrives in a collaborative, purpose-driven environment. You'll bring a track record of delivering on commitments whilst being a champion of commercial excellence, using your professional experience to make a real impact across a dynamic, international organisation.

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. As a Procurement Specialist at SKAO, you'll be at the heart of this extraordinary journey. 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.

The Role

In this role, you'll work closely with senior stakeholders, research organisations, and innovative and other members of the procurement team to ensure the timely and efficient procurement of a variety of contracts, both high and low value and complexity, in accordance with defined policies and procedures.

You'll lead the preparation of clear, professional, and compelling tender documents, ensuring SKAO's processes inspire confidence and deliver exceptional value for money.

As a key member of the SKAO procurement function, you will support the delivery of challenging objectives and demonstrate to stakeholders that value for money is being achieved.

Reporting directly to the Head of Procurement and Insurance Services, you'll be a trusted advisor. Your ability to balance compliance, creativity, and collaboration will help drive procurement excellence across a truly international environment.

This role will be based at the SKAO Headquarters at Jodrell Bank, Cheshire, UK and will require occasional national and international travel to suppliers and SKAO sites (typically for one week, a couple of times per year).

SKAO is committed to providing an inclusive and flexible working environment, meeting the requests of our Colleagues whilst also fulfilling the needs and objectives of the Observatory.

There may be occasions where this role requires the post holder to 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

• Work with internal and external stakeholders (research funding bodies, government agencies and partner research institutions) to develop achievable procurement strategies and plans.
• Lead the procurement of contracts, developing timelines, identifying commercial risks, presenting appropriate mitigations, and running Procurement Procedures as outlined in the SKAO Procurement Manual including evaluation of commercial tenders.
• 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 Tender Subcommittee and In-Kind Review Subcommittee.
• Represent the SKAO procurement function at senior-level international meetings.
• Support the Head of Procurement Services to develop and enhance the SKAO procurement function, such as through the development and maintenance of procurement policies, processes and reporting tools.
• Provide guidance and support to less experienced members of the SKAO procurement team.
• Produce non-standard ad-hoc and regular reports and provide interpretation and recommendations, including commenting on trends, to support smooth business functioning and decision-making.
• Conduct process reviews to support senior management in developing and improving processes and systems relevant to area or discipline.
• Maintain knowledge in professional area, develop skills, and manage business change activities or projects as appropriate, to enable the continued evolution of SKA.
• Undertake any other reasonable duties as directed by the line manager and senior management.

Mandatory Knowledge, Skills and Experience

• 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.
• Extensive direct experience leading a broad range of low to high complexity tenders and successful completion of commercial and contractual negotiations.
• Experience in leading and engaging with stakeholders to deliver against challenging timescales and business objectives.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English with the ability to confidently explain and document complex contractual concepts to senior stakeholders.
• Interpersonal communications skills and gravitas to build credible peer relationships with and influence senior international decision makers.
• Able to interpret procedures and take ownership of processes to ensure the organisation gets the best results.
• Strong business ethics, with an ability to manage and respect confidential data.
• Experience in formulating and championing efficient ways of working and new ideas to demonstrate a commitment to procurement best practice.
• Be a flexible, efficient and self-motivated team player who is adaptable to change and able to work with minimal supervision.
• Experience in or ability to coach early career team members if required.
• Familiarity with ERP systems.

Desirable Knowledge, Skills and Experience

• Chartered MCIPS Professional Accreditation or working towards MCIPS.
• Knowledge or experience of NEC4 suite of contracts.
• Familiarity with the landscape of major science research infrastructure projects and organisations, their processes, challenges, and the novel solutions that are often applied, such as in-kind contributions and fair work return.
• Experience of line-management
• Familiarity tools such as Confluence, Microsoft Office suite, Google Drive, and JIRA.

Equality Diversity and Inclusion Statement

SKA Observatory recognises that our diversity is a strength. We aim to create a welcoming and inclusive environment where everyone feels they belong, and diverse perspectives and ideas thrive. As such, Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion are at the core of SKA Observatory's agenda.

Our aim is to recruit and retain the most talented individuals, regardless of gender, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, marital status, religion, nationality or background.

Women have traditionally been under-represented in the fields of science and engineering; SKA Observatory welcomes and encourages female applicants.

Where applicants with a disability need facilities or adjustments to enable them to participate in the recruitment process, these will be provided.

SKA Observatory welcome all candidates, especially those from member countries.

The “How to Apply” information contained within the SKA Observatory recruitment portal provides more detail regarding our application and selection approach.