Procurement Specialist

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.

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.

• 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…