Senior Procurement Manager in Wallingford

Salary - £48,414 to £53,452

Hybrid working (50/50)

Permanent, full-time or part time (a minimum of 0.8 FTE)

Closing date for applications, 10 April 2026. We reserve the right to close this advert early if we find the right candidate, so we encourage you to apply early.

UKCEH is looking for an experienced Senior Procurement Manager to join our team of talented individuals, contributing to scientific discovery and generating the data, insights and solutions that researchers, businesses and governments need to solve complex environmental challenges. We’re looking for a dynamic procurement professional who can balance a broad, generalist approach with the confidence to lead on our most complex, high‑profile procurements and capital projects.

In this role, you’ll oversee the delivery of our procurement pipeline, guide a small team of talented Category Managers, and step in for the Head of Procurement when needed. You’ll play a key role in ensuring our Procurement function is fully aligned with the organisation’s structure, goals and culture, positioning it as a true enabler of our organisational plan and strategic ambitions. Spread across four sites, our Procurement team underpins the incredible science happening across UKCEH, supporting a diverse range of projects, including some exciting transformational change initiatives.

We’re looking for someone with solid procurement expertise and, ideally, experience in bringing the best out of teams. In this highly collaborative role, you’ll work closely with key stakeholders to proactively spot opportunities where Procurement can add real, measurable value. You’ll lead solutions that support organisational efficiency, effectiveness and long‑term strategic goals. You’ll also help shape the future of Procurement at UKCEH, contributing to our vision and strategy, championing sustainable procurement, and acting as a positive ambassador for best practice. As part of the wider finance team, you’ll live out UKCEH’s values in everything you do.

Your main responsibilities will include:

• Managing a small team of Category Managers, creating and contributing to an environment that fosters delivery success and positive engagement, participating and actively leading in their development
• Supporting the Head of Procurement for the success delivery of the procurement pipeline as well as any change projects to support procurement operations and their continuous improvement
• Leading supplier engagement and sourcing activities end to end from definition of business requirements, sourcing, tender analysis and negotiation and ongoing supplier performance and life cycle management.
• Acting as a procurement business partner, supporting across different category areas and stakeholders, advocating for procurement and ensuring stakeholders are informed and engaged.
• Ensure that procurement projects are efficient and compliant and that any associated procurement activities are run in accordance with UKCEH internal policy and the Procurement Act 2023
• Supporting and contributing to the Pathway to Net Zero procurement strategy for ESG and EDI initiatives that align with the wider corporate strategies for our environment and sustainability and reduction of Scope 3 emissions in our supply chain.
• Ensuring that all expenditure is identified, routes to market are defined and maverick spend is measured and controlled, running regular spend analysis reports.
• Acting as a Procure to Pay (P2P) champion and working closely with internal teams to identify and implement process efficiencies.
• Continuously seek realistic ways to improve efficiency and effectiveness in your role, to help the department, and UKCEH achieve its goals.
• Participate in learning and development activities that develop personal effectiveness and assist in improving performance in the role; ensuring that you keep up to date with developments in both procurement practice and category management.
• Undertake any other duties as may reasonably be required in line with the level of responsibility of the post and in order to meet the changing needs of the organisation.

For the role of Senior Procurement Manager, we’re looking for somebody who has:

• Experience of leading a small, successful team
• Understanding/experience of sourcing strategies
• Ability to negotiate and influence at all levels
• Understanding of PA 2023 – practical and theoretical
• Project management – delivering procurements as projects
• Experience of category management
• Commitment to and positive application of sustainability and environmental awareness
• Keen customer service focus
• Collaborative approach to problem solving and building relationships with stakeholders at all levels.
• Models and promotes the organisational values of Integrity, Teamwork and Excellence
• Advanced Excel Skills (Desirable)
• CIPS (Desirable)

You’ll be joining a leading independent, not‑for‑profit research institute that’s committed to recruiting talented people like you, progressing your career and giving you the support you need to thrive at UKCEH. Our science makes a real difference, enabling people and the environment to prosper, and enriching society. We are the custodians of a wealth of environmental data, collected by UKCEH and its predecessors over the course of more than 60 years.

Working for UKCEH is rewarding. We appreciate the continuous dedication and contributions of our staff, which is why we provide a comprehensive benefits package that includes financial incentives and wellbeing‑oriented perks, such as:

• 27 days annual leave (rising to 29 days after 5 years’ service) plus 3 days for Christmas closure
• 10% employer pension contribution
• Flexible and hybrid working arrangements (role dependant)
• Peer reward and recognition scheme
• Dental insurance, gym/fitness discounts, retail discount portal
• Enhanced maternity and paternity leave
• 24‑hour, 365‑day support with physical, mental, social, health or financial issues and much more...

Apply today! If this opportunity resonates with you and aligns with your personal career goals, the team would love to receive your application. Please apply by submitting your CV along with a supporting statement. We’re interested in learning more about what interests you and how you would benefit from working at UKCEH, how your experience and skills would support the team and the wider organisation and understanding how you can lead and motivate a small procurement team.

Our Commitment to Inclusion At UKCEH, we are committed to creating an inclusive and equitable workplace where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, identities, abilities, and circumstances. As a Disability Confident employer, we actively encourage applications from neurodivergent candidates and people with disabilities, and we’re happy to provide adjustments or support at any stage of the recruitment process – just let us know. If you’re excited about this role but your experience doesn’t align perfectly with every requirement, we’d love to hear from you anyway. You may be just the right fit for this role or another within our wider team.

Please note: Unfortunately, we are unable to offer visa sponsorship for this role and this does not qualify for endorsement to support a Global Talent Visa application. If you are considering pursuing self‑sponsorship, please indicate this in your application so we can take it into account during the recruitment process.