Procurement Manager at UK Research and Innovation in Didcot
About the role
- Details
- Reference number
- 476161
- Salary
- £46,743
- Plus Specialist Allowance £2,500 per annum for full member of CIPS
- A Civil Service Pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%
GBP
- Job grade
- Senior Executive Officer
- UKRI Band E
- Contract type
- Fixed term
- Length of employment
- 12 Months
- Business area
- UKRI - Procurement and Commercial
- Type of role
- Procurement and Contracts Management
- Working pattern
- Full-time
- Number of jobs available
- 1
- Contents
- Location
- About the job
- Benefits
- Things you need to know
- Apply and further information
Location
Didcot
About the job
Job summary
Salary: £46,743 per annum (Plus Specialist Allowance £2,500 per annum for full member of CIPS).
Band: UKRI Band E.
Contract Type: Fixed Term (12 Months).
Hours: Full Time.
Location: Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Didcot, Oxon - Hybrid Working Available (Minimum 2 days per week in office).
Closing date: 25th August 2026.
Interviews: W/c 7th September 2026.
UKRI Procurement Manager
UKRI Commercial is looking to build upon recent growth and success, aiming to develop further to provide excellent commercial support and support its ambitious objectives. This is also a time of significant regulatory change due to the new Procurement Act, making it an exciting period for UKRI Commercial. We welcome candidates who may not have extensive public procurement experience, as we will all be learning the new regulations together.
The Science & Technology Facilities Council (STFC)
The Science & Technology Facilities Council has a mission to deliver world-leading national and international research and innovation capabilities. Major research and innovation campuses at Harwell, Daresbury and research facilities across the UK support fundamental research in Particle Physics, Technology, space science and many other areas.
The Rutherford Appleton Laboratory (RAL), in Harwell Oxfordshire, pioneers work in areas including particle physics, scientific computing, laser development, space research, and technology which addresses some of the important challenges facing society.
STFC buys a wide variety of complex and sometimes unique products and services including equipment, technical services and infrastructure to support a range of end-users.
Job description
About the role
- To provide expertise and ability to undertake a range of medium value complex procurements including sourcing and contracting.
- Support end users with, and during, their procurement requirements.
- Provision of expert advice on all aspects of regulations and controls and representing UKRIs risk appetite in procurement decisions.
- To keep local end users up-to-date with best practice in procurement.
- Act as initial contact and escalation route to the Commercial Business Partner.
- Support the development of local procurement and contract management skill.
Your Responsibilities
- Undertake procurement sourcing and contracting actions using the most appropriate route to market to deliver value and compliance.
- Provide expert procurement advice to end-users, including guidance on when to direct procurement to the shared service centre.
- Offer guidance on local procurement issues, making decisions that add value for UKRI.
- Participate in local commercial assurance, planning, and in-house contract management.
About You
Confidently use relevant procurement systems to enable effective sourcing and contract management to deliver value for UKRI. Build collaborative relationships with local stakeholders, acting as initial escalation point for key decision making and medium value contract sign-off
We seek a dynamic, enthusiastic individual who enjoys applying their skills and experience to procurement projects. The role involves managing diverse stakeholders, and confidence and professional credibility are essential for positive engagement throughout the procurement lifecycle.
Person specification
The below criteria will be scored during Shortlisting (S), Interview (I) or both (S&I).
Essential
- Experience procuring goods or services in a regulated environment (S&I).
- Proven ability to manage procurement projects from market engagement to contract award (I).
- Experience in contract management (S).
- Ability to review and recommend procurement strategies, create tender evaluation models, and produce procurement documentation (S&I).
- Ability to interpret procurement terms and advise on non-standard terms (I).
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills at all levels (S&I).
- Experience and knowledge of public procurement including Procurement Act 23 and related processes (S&I).
- MCIPs qualified or willing to work towards (I).
Benefits
Alongside your salary of £46,743, UK Research and Innovation contributes £13,541 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides .
We value our employees and offer a competitive pay and rewards package, supporting continuous learning. Benefits include:
- An outstanding defined benefit pension scheme.
- 30 days annual leave plus 10.5 public and privilege days (full-time equivalent).
- Employee discounts on retail and leisure activities.
- Confidential employee assistance programme
- Flexible working options.
Plus many more benefits and wellbeing initiatives that enable our employees to have a great work life balance!
For further information on our benefits please see:
Benefits of working at UK Research and Innovation (UKRI)
We currently operate a flexible hybrid working arrangement, allowing staff to work three days a week from home.
The UKRI Commercial Directorate is also passionate about supporting our teams professional development, and is committed to:
A structured mentoring programme for all new starters
A variety of ongoing training opportunities delivered internally and externally, to encourage continuing professional development.
Support (both financially and with agreed study leave) to complete MCIPS
Providing a breadth of experience in procurement and categories of purchasing from one-off specialist research equipment, construction, professional services, Facilities Management and scientific computing.
Things you need to know
Artificial intelligence
Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.
Selection process details
Please apply online, if you experience any issue applying, please contact Recruitment@ukri.org
Please note, if you will require sponsorship to work in the UK, as part of your sponsorship application, you and any dependants travelling with you, will be required to pay costs directly to The Home Office for the application before you start your role with us. UKRI is normally able to reimburse some, or all of these fees after you have become an employee and this can be discussed with the Hiring Manager. For more information, please visit https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa/how-much-it-costs or contact Recruitment@ukri.org.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
Successful candidates must undergo a basic (or equivalent) criminal record check.
People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.
Nationality requirements
This job is broadly open to the following groups:
- UK nationals
- nationals of the Republic of Ireland
- nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
- nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
- nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
- individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
- Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service
Further information on nationality requirements
Working for the Civil Service
Please note this Post is NOT regulated by the Civil Service Commission.
The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.
Diversity and Inclusion
The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy .
Apply and further information
Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.
Contact point for applicants
Job contact :
- Name : UKRI Recruitment Team
- Email : Recruitment@ukri.org
Recruitment team
- Email : Recruitment@ukri.org
