Procurement Buisness Partner

National Oceanography Centre

National Oceanography Centre

Operations
Southampton, UK
GBP 42,062-46,141 / year
Posted on May 1, 2025

Procurement Buisness Partner

National Oceanography Centre, Southampton

Permanent

Full time (37 hours per week)

£42,062 - £46,141

Who are we?

We are the National Oceanography Centre (NOC) - the UK’s leading institution for integrated coastal and deep ocean research. Through our ground-breaking research, collaboration, and game-changing innovation we work to gain a deeper understanding of our ocean, helping every living thing on our planet flourish.

We are made up of a dynamic and vibrant community focused on solving challenging long-term marine science problems, underpinning international and UK public policy, business and societal outcomes.

The ocean has the potential to provide the solutions to so many of the social, economic and environmental challenges we face worldwide. To truly harness the value of the ocean, we put ocean research, science and discovery at the heart of our culture.

Join us in shaping the future of oceanographic research and contribute your unique perspective to our organisation.

About the role

The Procurement Business Partner is part of the Strategic Procurement team and plays a crucial role in supporting the NOC's mission by providing professional procurement expertise. This position presents an exciting opportunity to join NOC Procurement as we advance our procurement strategies and evolve into a sustainable, innovative, agile, and strategic function.
This role acts as a Business Partner, strategic advisor, and procurement SME to nominated functions within the organisation, forging strong stakeholder relationships to deliver best practice procurement. You will support day-to-day operations and NOC projects by designing, implementing, and managing procurement strategies that align with stakeholder goals.
As a team operating in a fast-paced, high-tech, and scientific environment, we seek an innovative thinker capable of embracing ambiguity and collaborating effectively with key stakeholders. We are looking for an enthusiastic, tenacious, and resilient procurement specialist to support procurement activities across various categories, potentially including scientific or technical categories. This role involves ensuring high levels of service, maintaining governance and compliance with public procurement regulations (including the Procurement Act 2023), and promoting best practices across the supply chain.

About You
We are seeking a candidate with a robust background in procurement, capable of effectively managing and prioritising multiple projects while fostering strong stakeholder relationships. Even if you cannot demonstrate all of the requirements

You will have:

  • Experience acting as a subject matter expert and business partner within cross-functional teams.
  • Proven ability to provide innovative solutions to complex problems and adapt to changing needs.
  • Strong skills in managing relationships within a matrix organizational structure.
  • Experience assessing organisational needs, communicating these to suppliers, and evaluating proposals/contracts.
  • Knowledge of public sector procurement regulations and procedures (Procurement Act 2023).
  • Experience creating category plans based on analysis of markets, prices, costs, and suppliers (experience in scientific laboratory supplies, engineering, or marine industry is essential).
  • Experience in supplier relationship management, including performance oversight and whole-life contract management.
  • Experience reviewing and negotiating supplier terms and preparing tender/framework documentation.
  • Experience with a wide range of procurement solutions, including negotiation.
  • You will have experience of ERP systems (Unit 4 would be advantageous) and ideally exposure to large public tenders, Public Contracting Regulations, and procurement reporting and analytics.
  • Membership (or studying towards) MCIPS or an equivalent professional certification is desirable. A degree level education or equivalent is also desirable.

We encourage you to apply even if you don’t meet every single requirement. We are looking for potential and value transferable skills. Studies have shown that women and people from underrepresented groups are less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet every qualification. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace, so if you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.

Why NOC?

We offer a generous set of benefits, including:

- 30 days contractual annual leave, plus 3.5 extra closure days and bank holidays

- a 10% employer contribution pension scheme

- access to our Employee Assistance Programme, offering free and anonymous support on mental, physical, emotional, health and financial issues

- access to a flexible benefits portal offering online discounts, cashback and eGift cards

- a Cycle2Work scheme allowing employees to acquire bikes and accessories

- a great working environment with a number of social events, including summer and Christmas celebrations

- we are proud to be a Living Wage Employer

Location

This position will be based in Southampton. The centre is well connected by public transport and has ample cycle parking in addition to free onsite car-parking with over 40 EV charging points.

The NOC has a hybrid working approach where for most positions staff can work from home up to 2/3 days per week. If you are interested in this position, but require a more flexible working arrangement, please contact the recruitment team using the contact details below.

We can support visa applications where required. We may be able to offer financial support for applicants who will need to relocate for this position.

Submitting an application

Please click ‘Apply for this job’ and submit an up-to-date CV and cover letter. If you are unable to apply online, please contact the NOC recruitment team at careers@noc.ac.uk / 07355 676794.

Before submitting your application please ensure you have reviewed the attached job description and person specification.

We are committed to fostering diversity and inclusion in our workplace. We actively encourage qualified candidates from all backgrounds to apply for this position, as we strive to create a supportive and equitable environment where all voices are valued and heard.

Those seeking employment at NOC are considered solely on their qualifications, skills and experience, without regard to gender, gender identity, age, race, religion, disability, sex, sexual orientation, relationship status, family status (including pregnancy / maternity leave) or any other protected characteristic.

There is a guaranteed interview scheme for candidates who meet the minimum criteria of the position and declare a disability. NOC is an Investors in People organisation.

Date advert posted: 01/05/2025

Closing date: 30/05/2025. This vacancy may close earlier depending on the number of applicants.

Please note we are not accepting applications via recruitment agencies for this position.