At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead procurement for EV operations, managing supplier relationships and contract negotiations.
- Company: Join a fast-growing clean energy company making a difference in the EV infrastructure sector.
- Benefits: Competitive day rate, flexible working, and potential for contract extension.
- Other info: Dynamic role in a rapidly evolving industry with excellent growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Be at the forefront of the clean energy transition and make a real impact.
- Qualifications: 5+ years in procurement with strong experience in services and O&M.
The predicted salary is between 63000 - 77000 £ per year.
- Day Rate: Competitive, dependent on experience
- Inside IR35
We’re partnering with a rapidly growing clean energy and electric vehicle infrastructure business that is playing a major role in the transition towards a lower‑carbon future.
With operations across the UK and internationally, the organisation is expanding its EV and battery infrastructure portfolio and is looking for an Interim Procurement Manager to support its Operations & Maintenance function over an initial 3 to 6 month contract.
This is a hands‑on procurement role, ideal for someone with strong services procurement and O&M experience who can quickly take ownership of complex sourcing activity and supplier relationships.
The Role
You will lead procurement activity across EV operations and maintenance, managing the full procurement lifecycle from requirements definition and market engagement through to tendering, negotiation, contract award, mobilisation and ongoing supplier performance.
You’ll work closely with O&M, Engineering, Asset Management, Finance and other senior stakeholders to develop resilient, commercially effective supply chains and ensure critical infrastructure is maintained to a high standard.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead end‑to‑end procurement activity across O&M and technical services categories.
• Develop and implement sourcing strategies for areas including
- EV charging equipment and services
- Field service providers
- LV/HV/MV electrical works
- Infrastructure maintenance
- Grid connections and metering
- Civils, switchgear and associated technical services
- Manage RFI, RFP and RFQ processes from initial requirements through to contract award.
- Identify, assess and benchmark suppliers across the market.
- Lead commercial negotiations covering pricing, SLAs, KPIs, service levels, risk and contractual terms.
- Develop and standardise scopes of work, rate cards, frameworks, service specifications and performance regimes.
- Support supplier due diligence covering technical capability, operational readiness, HSSE, financial robustness and relevant risk areas.
- Work closely with Legal on MSAs, frameworks, call‑off agreements, Statements of Work and other services contracts.
- Establish and manage supplier KPIs and SLAs covering areas such as uptime, response times, repairs and parts availability.
- Take ownership of supplier onboarding and mobilisation.
- Lead supplier reviews and manage performance, escalations and contractual issues.
- Identify opportunities to reduce costs, improve service levels and increase asset availability.
- Work with Engineering and Asset Management teams to understand upcoming maintenance, replacement and upgrade requirements.
- Support budgeting, cost modelling and savings reporting with Finance.
- Identify and mitigate supplier, operational and commercial risks.
- Ensure procurement activity is compliant, well governed and audit‑ready.
What We're Looking For
We’re looking for an experienced procurement professional who can hit the ground running in an interim environment.
Ideal Candidate Profile
Ideally, you will have
- 5+ years' procurement experience, with strong services procurement exposure.
- Experience procuring O&M, technical services, engineering services, infrastructure, field services or outsourced operational services.
- Experience within sectors such as EV, energy, utilities, infrastructure, transport, facilities management, engineering or other asset‑intensive environments.
- Strong experience managing the full procurement lifecycle.
- A good understanding of services contracting, including SLAs, KPIs, scopes of work, rate cards, frameworks, call‑off arrangements and performance regimes.
- Proven commercial and negotiation skills with both service providers and technical suppliers.
- Experience managing supplier relationships and performance.
- The ability to work confidently with technical, operational and senior stakeholders.
- Strong commercial judgement and the ability to balance cost, risk, service quality and operational requirements.
- The ability to operate effectively in a fast‑paced, international and changing environment.
The Opportunity
This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced interim procurement professional to join a high‑growth organisation operating at the forefront of EV infrastructure, energy storage and clean technology.
You’ll be joining at a point where procurement is playing a key role in scaling the O&M supply chain, improving supplier performance and supporting the continued growth of the business.
Initial 3 to 6 month contract with the potential for extension.
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Procurement and Contracts Manager employer: Arguile
Join a dynamic and innovative team as a Subcontract Manager in Bristol or Barnstaple, where you will thrive in a supportive work culture that values flexibility and employee well-being. With competitive benefits including hybrid working, generous leave options, and robust training opportunities, this role offers a chance to grow your career while making a meaningful impact in the Defence sector. Experience a workplace that prioritises collaboration and professional development, ensuring you are well-equipped to manage complex supplier relationships effectively.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Procurement and Contracts Manager
✨Get Involved in Local Procurement Meetups
Join local procurement and purchasing groups on platforms like Meetup or Eventbrite. These gatherings are great for networking with industry professionals, sharing insights, and potentially hearing about temporary roles that might not be widely advertised!
✨Seasonal Hiring Cycles are Your Friend!
Keep an eye on seasonal trends in procurement, as many companies ramp up hiring during certain times of the year – especially around end-of-financial-year periods when budgets are being utilised. Be proactive and reach out to companies directly during these windows.
✨Leverage Online Platforms for Temporary Roles
Don’t forget to browse specific job boards dedicated to temporary positions, such as Reed or Indeed. You can filter your search for procurement roles and set up alerts for when new jobs pop up, so you can apply immediately!
✨Showcase Your Skills on Professional Networks
Create short case studies or posts on LinkedIn showcasing your procurement experience or interesting projects you've tackled. This not only builds your visibility but can also attract recruiters looking for temporary talent like you!
We think you need these skills to ace Procurement and Contracts Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Relevant Experience:When applying for a temporary role in procurement-purchasing, it's crucial to highlight any relevant experience you have. Mention specific tasks like negotiating contracts, managing supplier relationships, or optimising inventory. This will show Arguile that you can hit the ground running!
Keep it Concise and Impactful:For a temporary role, we recommend keeping your CV and cover letter concise. Focus on key achievements that showcase your procurement skills and any immediate impact you’ve made in past roles. Use bullet points for clarity—this way, Arguile can quickly grasp your capabilities!
Include Relevant Certifications:If you’ve got any certifications that are relevant to procurement, like CIPS (Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply), don’t forget to mention them! This adds extra weight to your application and shows Arguile that you're serious about your professional development.
Emphasise Flexibility and Availability:Since this is a temporary position, make sure to emphasise your availability and flexibility in your cover letter. Let Arguile know when you can start and that you’re ready to adapt to their needs, making your application even more appealing!
How to prepare for a job interview at Arguile
✨Know Your Procurement Basics
Brush up on key procurement concepts and terms, like 'total cost of ownership' and 'supplier relationships'. We want to impress them with our knowledge! Being able to talk fluently about relevant techniques and tools specific to the procurement field will definitely lend credibility.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
In a purchasing role, you might get thrown some real-world scenarios to assess how you’d handle supplier negotiations or cost-saving strategies. Be ready to demonstrate your problem-solving skills! Practising how you'd tackle these situations in advance will help us shine during the interview.
✨Highlight Your Flexibility and Adaptability
Since it’s a temporary role, emphasise how you can quickly adapt to new processes and environments. Share examples of past experiences where you’ve tackled new challenges with ease, showing they can rely on us to hit the ground running and contribute immediately!
✨Show Off Your Tech Savvy
Being well-versed in procurement software like SAP or Coupa can set us apart from other candidates. If you've got experience with these tools, be sure to mention it! Having a handle on data analysis and reporting will also demonstrate our capability to leverage technology effectively in procurement.
