Procurement Specialist in Guildford

Salary: £45,000 up to £49,000 dependent upon experience

Contract Type: Permanent, Full-time

Security Level: SC

Location: Aviation House - Gatwick (min 2 days in the office per week)

Visa Restrictions: This position does not offer visa sponsorship

We are the UK's aviation and aerospace regulator and recognised as a world leader in its field. Our activities are diverse, enabling the aviation industry to meet the highest safety standards, and we pride ourselves on our ability to adapt to the constantly evolving aviation environment.

The Role

Working as part of a wider procurement team, you will be responsible for leading and managing the full end to end procurement process of purchasing goods and services that ensure compliance with CAA's Procurement Policy, the current Procurement Regulations (e.g. Procurement Act 2023) and other public sector requirements (e.g. public procurement notices). The role will be predominately focused on providing procurement support to one of our core functions – CAA's Safety and Regulation Group (SARG). Your role will involve purchasing a range of goods and services across a broad range of direct and indirect categories with multiple values, including over-threshold contracts. You will manage contract negotiations, including terms and conditions drafting, and support the business in managing suppliers and contract performance post award. The role will also provide support, advice, and guidance to any CAA colleagues on all matters related to Procurement (pre, during and post purchase).

Core Accountabilities

• Lead and manage the full procurement lifecycle for the acquisition of goods and services predominantly required within SARG in accordance with various internal and external policies and operating frameworks.
• Manage all phases of sourcing, including early market engagement, sourcing analysis, stakeholder engagement, creation of quote/tender documents, competitive process management, commercial evaluation, supplier/bid negotiations, contract implementation and contract management, ensuring compliance with Procurement Act 2023 (or PCR 2015).
• Lead commercial evaluation of bids, including price, assumptions, risks and terms and conditions, and evaluate quality or technical responses when needed.
• Use CAA's standard procurement templates, workload tracker, Purchase to Pay (P2P) and e-tendering systems, adapting templates and terms as appropriate.
• Manage procurements to achieve the most advantageous contracts for CAA, delivering value for money and focusing on wider public sector requirements such as managing public money and the National Procurement Policy Statement.
• Where appropriate, access and use pre-established public sector buying frameworks (e.g. Government Commercial Agency) to source and let CAA contracts.
• Support and facilitate contract administration, performance management, key performance indicators, service reviews, disputes and escalations, lead contract renewal negotiations and exit arrangements, and upskill CAA colleagues in best practice supplier management.
• Independently manage and complete all other work-related administration, including procurement templates, contract forecast, database updates and reporting.
• Identify and implement cost-saving opportunities and track savings achieved.
• Lead, develop and sustain close working relationships (business partnering) with key business stakeholders, providing practical procurement advice.
• Maintain currency of Public Sector Procurement knowledge, legislation, policies, updates and best practice to remain effective.
• Work collaboratively to support or lead procurement activities or projects with either a direct Procurement Team member or wider business colleagues.
• Lead and manage non-competitive requests (e.g. single tender actions, non-disclosure agreements, grant funding, Freedom of Information requests, spend reports).

About You

• MCIPS qualified or working towards MCIPS (level 4 minimum).
• Experience of public sector procurement.
• Experience of leading competitive exercises and evaluating commercial bid aspects.
• Experience of understanding and using public sector frameworks.
• Experience of supplier and contract management, particularly implementing and monitoring service level agreements, key performance indicators and financial management.
• Strong interpersonal, communication and organisational skills.
• Comfortable working under pressure within strict deadlines.
• Experience of independent terms and conditions review and negotiation.

Additional Information

Many appointments within the CAA require access to operationally sensitive infrastructure and/or nationally protected information. Therefore, post holders must undergo National Security Vetting and achieve the appropriate level of clearance. The role requires a reasonable period of residency in the UK (5 years) to enable vetting. If you do not meet these requirements, we may not be able to accept your application.

Inclusive Recruitment

We are an equal opportunity employer and actively encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds. As a member of the Disability Confident scheme, applicants who meet the minimum criteria for a role with us will be guaranteed an interview. We use fair and inclusive selection approaches based on merit alone. If you require an adjustment for any reason, please let us know.

Benefits

We offer flexible working arrangements, a free onsite gym at Gatwick, discounted gym membership for London, 28 days annual leave (plus five days leave purchase), a generous pension scheme and other benefits.

Our Values: Do The Right Thing, Never Stop Learning, Build Collaborative Relationships, Respect Everyone.