At a Glance
- Tasks: Join us to enhance our supply chain and drive procurement strategies for innovative climate tech.
- Company: Mission Zero Technologies, a pioneering climate-tech start-up based in London.
- Benefits: 30 days annual leave, enhanced parental leave, medical cover, and employee share options.
- Other info: Diverse and inclusive workplace with opportunities for bold creativity and career growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on the planet while shaping procurement processes in a fast-growing company.
- Qualifications: 3+ years in procurement, experience in startups, and strong negotiation skills.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 60000 £ per year.
About Mission Zero Technologies
We’re a London-based climate-tech start-up, working to reframe how the world views carbon in order to enable a thriving planet. Since 2020, we have pioneered the world’s most versatile direct air capture (DAC) technology to recover historic CO₂ emissions from the atmosphere, anywhere, at any scale. Backed by 2150, Breakthrough Energy Ventures, the XPRIZE foundation, Stripe, and the UK Government, we’ve moved a brand new climate technology from lab scale to commercial plants in under three years, to empower carbon removal and sustainable utilisation.
About the role
You have the opportunity to join MZT at a crucial juncture in our company’s evolution, transitioning from an innovative R&D startup into a global player ready to implement and scale our DAC technology. MZT is seeking a Procurement Specialist with advanced expertise in purchasing and cross-functional collaboration. The role will focus on strengthening and expanding our supply chain by nurturing existing relationships and building new partnerships that support the rapid, sustainable scale-up of our novel technology. Success in this role will ensure the company secures reliable, value driven supplier relationships that are aligned with our growth objectives and long-term strategic goals. As we continue to scale, you'll play an active role in shaping how procurement works at MZT, not just following established processes, but helping to define and refine them. You'll thrive here if you’re energised by making pragmatic decisions with limited information, and take ownership of outcomes even when the path isn’t fully mapped out.
Reporting to the Principal Procurement Manager, you will collaborate closely with Finance, Project Managers, Engineering, and R&D teams to implement robust procurement processes for our Direct Air Capture (DAC) projects across multiple regions. The role is primarily an office-based role with occasional travelling to prospective and chosen suppliers, with flexibility to work remotely at reasonable frequencies.
What you’ll be doing:
- Translating commercial commitments into actionable procurement plans, working with Project and Engineering teams to define sourcing needs, develop clear supplier briefs, and ensure timely delivery against contractual obligations.
- Driving procurement strategy and competitive tenders across multiple engineering disciplines, including construction & integration and electricals & controls, partnering with the wider team to shape approaches across other categories as needed.
- Evaluating suppliers on a total cost of ownership basis, looking beyond unit price to account for logistics, lead times, and the true cost of supply.
- Negotiating commercial terms and conditions with suppliers to secure favourable and balanced agreements that protect MZT's interests while fostering long-term supplier relationships.
- Monitoring supplier performance across Capacity, Quality, Delivery, Cost, and Lead Time, developing and driving action plans where targets are at risk.
- Proactively identifying and mitigating supply chain risks, including through strategic dual-sourcing and contingency planning, to ensure continuity of supply as we scale.
- Maintaining and continuously improving the supplier due diligence framework and records to guarantee that all suppliers adhere to the company's ethical and operational standards.
- Tracking procurement spend and savings across projects, providing regular reporting to support budget management and inform business decisions.
What you’ll need to be successful in this role:
- Experience working in a startup environment or rapidly growing company, where processes and work-flows are still developing.
- A proven ability to work autonomously, taking ownership of procurement outcomes end to end and proactively driving progress even when requirements are still in progress or priorities shift.
- Ability to interface with key engineering disciplines and technical individuals in the specification for procurement requirements.
- Hands-on experience with hardware products, with an understanding of the supply chains, lead times, and technical constraints that come with physical goods procurement.
- Strong commercial acumen, including experience negotiating supplier terms and conditions and developing service and supply agreements that protect business interests.
- >3 years experience in procurement of major industrial construction and/or manufacturing projects.
Ideally, you’ll also have:
- Background in engineering or science, with a focus on energy or environmental technologies.
- Experience in industries such as carbon capture, energy, oil & gas, chemicals, or other process-driven sectors. Experience in adjacent industries such as automotive, or advanced manufacturing is also valued.
- Experience across multiple industries.
- Familiarity with EPC project structures and the procurement dynamics that come with engineering led, capital intensive projects.
- A track record of building or implementing procurement processes or functions from scratch, bringing structure to environments where little previously existed.
- Basic understanding of fundamental electrochemistry principles and background industrial chemistry knowledge.
What can we offer you?
- 30 days of Annual Leave
- 3 months enhanced Paternity/Maternity Leave
- Access to medical cover
- Employee Share Options Programme
- Christmas holidays office closure
- Opportunities to directly impact where our company is headed
- A high-growth, high-trust environment that encourages bold creativity
At Mission Zero, we value diversity of cultural backgrounds, experience, and perspectives, and leverage these qualities to create exceptional outcomes. We are dedicated to equal employment opportunities regardless of race, sex, religion or belief, ethnic or national origin, age, disability, citizenship, marital, domestic or civil partnership status, sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy or related condition, or any other basis as protected by applicable law. Please do not hesitate to let us know if you have a disability or additional need that requires accommodation.
Our hiring process:
Kindly allow us up to two weeks to review your application. Providing both of our schedules align, the total hiring process should take 3-5 weeks total to wrap up.
- Application review
- Interview with Head of Product/Line Manager (30 mins)
- Short case assignment (2 hours max.)
- Final interview with Founders (30 mins)
Procurement Specialist employer: Mission Zero
At Mission Zero Technologies, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that fosters a high-growth, high-trust environment where creativity and innovation thrive. Our commitment to employee well-being is reflected in our generous benefits package, including 30 days of annual leave and enhanced parental leave, while our collaborative work culture encourages personal and professional growth as we tackle the urgent challenge of climate change together. Join us in London and be part of a pioneering team that is shaping the future of carbon capture technology and making a meaningful impact on our planet.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Procurement Specialist
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the climate-tech space, especially those connected to Mission Zero Technologies. Attend industry events or webinars and don’t be shy about introducing yourself. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching MZT’s projects and values. Show us you’re passionate about carbon capture and sustainability. Think of specific examples from your past experiences that align with the role of Procurement Specialist, especially around supplier relationships and procurement strategies.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your negotiation skills! Since this role involves securing favourable agreements, brush up on how to negotiate terms effectively. Role-play scenarios with friends or colleagues to build confidence before your interview.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows us you’re genuinely interested in being part of our mission to tackle climate change.
We think you need these skills to ace Procurement Specialist
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Climate Tech:When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for climate technology shine through! We want to see how your values align with our mission at Mission Zero Technologies. Share why you're excited about the role and how you can contribute to our goals.
Tailor Your Experience:Make sure to highlight your relevant experience in procurement, especially in fast-paced environments. We’re looking for someone who can take ownership and drive results, so be specific about your achievements and how they relate to the role.
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use clear language to describe your skills and experiences. We appreciate a well-structured application that makes it easy for us to see why you’d be a great fit for the team!
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team at Mission Zero Technologies.
How to prepare for a job interview at Mission Zero
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you understand the basics of procurement, especially in the context of climate-tech and direct air capture. Brush up on your knowledge of supply chains, lead times, and the specific challenges that come with hardware products. This will help you speak confidently about how you can contribute to Mission Zero Technologies.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare to discuss your previous roles in procurement, particularly in startup environments or rapidly growing companies. Highlight specific examples where you've taken ownership of outcomes and driven progress, even when things were uncertain. This will demonstrate your ability to thrive in a dynamic setting.
✨Be Ready to Collaborate
Since this role involves working closely with various teams like Finance, Engineering, and R&D, be prepared to talk about your experience in cross-functional collaboration. Share examples of how you've successfully partnered with different departments to achieve common goals, as this is crucial for the role.
✨Think Strategically
During the interview, showcase your strategic thinking skills by discussing how you would approach supplier evaluation and risk mitigation. Be ready to explain your thought process behind negotiating terms and conditions that protect the company's interests while fostering long-term relationships. This will show that you're not just a doer, but a thinker too.
