Project Procurement Manager

Astroscale UK is seeking a proactive Procurement Manager to join our Project Procurement team, supporting new and existing programmes in our UK office. You will have the opportunity to support the full procurement lifecycle, working closely with Project Managers and engineering teams, from sourcing and selection through to contract negotiations and delivery. Taking ownership for assigned procurement commodities, you will interface widely both within Astroscale UK, our suppliers, and relevant customer or stakeholder representatives.

Responsibilities

• Lead the review, drafting, and negotiation of procurement and commercial documentation, including Statements of Work (SOWs), Contracts, Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs), and Terms & Conditions, in line with programme and regulatory requirements.
• Collaborate closely with engineering teams to develop, validate, and refine technical specifications for complex machined, high‑precision, and bespoke components.
• Manage and lead supplier sourcing, selection and on-boarding activities, including RFQs/RFPs, commercial evaluations, and negotiation of technical, cost, schedule, and risk positions.
• Own end‑to‑end supplier management, from initial sourcing and contract award through manufacture, delivery, acceptance, and post‑delivery support.
• Own assigned procurement commodities, acting as the primary commercial point of contact throughout the lifecycle of the procurement.
• Interface closely with project and engineering teams to align procurement activities with programme schedules, requirements, and priorities.
• Work in partnership with Legal to draft, issue, and manage procurement contracts, ensuring compliance with company policies, export controls, and applicable legislation.
• Lead supplier performance management post‑award, including delivery assurance, quality assurance, change control, non‑conformance resolution, and contract close‑out.
• Ensure full export control and sanctions compliance, including assessment of supplier country restrictions in accordance with applicable regulations.
• Interface with space agencies, primes, and tier‑one to tier‑three industry suppliers, supporting programme delivery and stakeholder engagement.
• Coordinate procurement‑related administrative activities where required, including international shipments, documentation control, and procurement records management, ensuring traceability and audit readiness.

Essential Skills

• A minimum of 3 years’ procurement experience gained within a complex engineering environment, preferably within the space industry.
• Experience in preparing and reviewing commercial documents (SOW, Contract, NDA’s).
• Experience of the Procurement lifecycle in similar engineering environments.
• Knowledge of Export controls in Europe and the US.
• Excellent negotiation skills.
• Excellent administration and organisational skills.
• Excellent English written and verbal skills.
• Experience of working as part of a project team.
• Must be able to work within ITAR and EAR conditions under Technical Assistance Agreements.
• Must hold, or be eligible to gain SC level clearance in the UK.

Desirable skills

• Bachelor or master’s degree in a relevant discipline e.g. science, engineering, business management, procurement.
• A good knowledge in ESA, JAXA or other Space agency Procurement processes.
• A good working knowledge of the processes involved in manufacturing machined and mechanical parts.
• Technical/Working Japanese language skills.

Benefits

• Competitive base salary.
• Opportunity to work with a highly talented, diverse & dynamic international team with cutting edge technology.
• Flexible working around core hours in a friendly and supportive environment.
• Optional 9/75 working pattern.
• Hybrid working available (dependent on individual role requirements).
• 25 days holiday (increasing yearly up to a maximum of 28 days) + 8 days Bank Holiday.
• Life insurance and long-term sick pay.
• Private healthcare (taxable benefit).
• Relocation allowance considered.
• State of the art office and cleanroom facility.
• Regular social events.

Location

Astroscale UK (Harwell)

About Astroscale

Founded in 2013, Astroscale is the global leader in on-orbit servicing, dedicated to the secure and sustainable development of space for the benefit of future generations. We provide trusted and value-added solutions for government and commercial clients from their geography of choice, to drive the long-term, circular space economy. Astroscale is also collaborating with government and commercial stakeholders to develop norms, regulations, and incentives that promote the sustainable growth of space.

Since our first successful launch in March 2021, Astroscale has proven rendezvous and proximity operations technologies in orbit during the ELSA-d and ADRAS-J missions, establishing the company as a leader in on-orbit servicing. Astroscale spacecraft have been selected for pioneering missions with JAXA, the U.S. Space Force, the European Space Agency, the UK Space Agency, and Eutelsat OneWeb. As more satellite operators adopt on-orbit servicing to routinely inspect, service and remove, the potential of a circular space economy — and a future of no waste in space — is being unlocked.

At Astroscale we pride ourselves on our inclusive culture. Our essential criteria are based solely on the requirements necessary to perform the role. If any criteria could present a barrier, we are open to discussing reasonable adjustments and are committed to ensuring an inclusive recruitment process. Astroscale is also open to supporting job share arrangements, to further our flexible working offering.

Note to recruitment agencies: Astroscale operates a preferred Supplier List, and we do not accept unsolicited agency approaches. Please do not forward candidate CVs or details in response to this advert, or to any Astroscale employee.