Principal Contracts Engineer

Our client is currently recruiting for the position of Principal Contracts Engineer based in Aberdeen. This is a long‑term contract role available on a PAYE basis. Hybrid working available.

Accountabilities

End‑to‑end Contract Lifecycle Management

• Provides a deep knowledge and understanding of end‑to‑end Contract Lifecycle Management. Ensures value is maximised throughout the category and contracting process.
• Supports delivery of the annual contracts plan.
• Works as a partner with business stakeholders to understand and support delivery of their needs.
• Proactively develops robust strategic sourcing strategies for specific categories, contracts and projects, delivering breakthrough results and year‑on‑year continuous improvement.
• Undertakes category, contracts and project‑related assessments to generate innovative opportunities and robust strategic sourcing plans.
• Working as a Business Partner with key internal stakeholders, manages all contracting activity across designated Operations categories. This includes the creation and implementation of contract and category plans that will ensure delivery in line with business objectives, regulatory requirements and the landing of all value negotiated.

External Market Expertise

• Be seen by the business and externally as a Supply Chain Management expert for assigned categories and contracts.
• Deep knowledge of assigned and related categories, providing leadership and insight for the business on all aspects of market dynamics, regulatory framework, suppliers and technical innovations.
• Report changes and updates through proactive governance.
• Identify opportunities for, lead and evaluate competitive tenders and proposals for the supply of goods and services, negotiating with suppliers on all commercial and contractual matters and applying judgement as to what constitutes an acceptable level of contractual risk and supply resilience.

Team Contribution

• Supporting identification of improvement opportunities, helping define and drive change with peers across Supply Chain Management. From time to time, standing in for Line Manager.
• Supporting Line Manager in delivering key strategic strategies and projects.
• Coaching other team members to increase the knowledge base of the team.

Contracting

• Source and procure highly complex contracting requirements with high criticality impact for the company, ensuring optimum value for money within defined service and quality criteria, lead and evaluate competitive tenders negotiating with major suppliers on all commercial and contractual matters and applying judgement as to what constitutes an acceptable level of contractual risk and supply resilience.
• Provide support in complex negotiations through data, market or other analysis.
• Draft, negotiate and obtain agreement to highly significant commercial contracts ensuring that operational and commercial risks to business are fully understood and mitigated.

On‑Going Improvements & Delivery of Value Added

• Identify and achieve significant defined improvement to the bottom line and cost saving targets by examining total acquisition costs and working closely with internal stakeholders and suppliers.
• Forecast future expenditure patterns within key business units, developing appropriate strategies to ensure budgeted value improvements are proactively identified and implemented with appropriate pace.
• Contribute, optimise and challenge business plans where alternate opportunities exist to deliver higher value outcomes, ensuring all options have been duly evaluated.

Supplier Management

• Within the End‑to‑end Contract Lifecycle Management framework, lead the development, building and maintenance of supplier engagement through appraisal and performance monitoring, value analysis, continuous improvement, supplier/supply base development, compliance and demand management.
• Lead engagement with multiple stakeholder interfaces/touch points across the business to ensure a consistent approach.
• Ensure compliance with contract terms, both legal and commercial (including value delivery) and management of contractual risk. Lead solutions with stakeholders to ensure remediation or reduction of risk.
• Manage a comprehensive overview of supplier performance across assigned business unit(s).
• Resolve contractual and supplier disputes where they occur, protecting the interests of the business at all times. Engage legal team if required and get remedial/recompense for the business if appropriate.
• Consult and provide input to the budgeting process in relation to supplier spend and engage on supplier cost‑saving initiatives, leading where appropriate.
• Proactively challenge requirements and re‑negotiate contracts as necessary during the contract period and build strategies to manage end‑of‑contract term options appropriately for the company.
• Negotiate the terms and conditions of the Contract in line with company’s Contract Deviation processes and get appropriate input from Legal, Compliance, Tax and Insurance experts.

Safety and Compliance

• Identify any operational and regulatory risks, escalating as appropriate.
• Operate information systems to the required standard to maintain accurate and secure records.
• Understand and adhere to the company and department standards, policies and procedures.
• Adhere to the Competence and Training procedures.

Develop and maintain strong positive working relationships with internal stakeholders, ensuring their requirements are understood and being addressed and that communication channels with them are clear and effective.

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion

Recognises bias, conscious or unconscious and actively works to eliminate such bias from their own approach to their work and colleagues.

Actively seeks to encourage diversity in the team and manages an inclusive workplace, bringing alternative perspectives, opinions and thinking to all aspects of their work.

Eliminates the use of everyday language that may leave others feeling excluded or discriminated against. Actively leads and encourages discussion, collaboration, and positive actions on inclusion amongst peers, which persuades and brings positive change when needed.

Treats people equally and with consideration of protected characteristics.

Competencies and Qualifications

Non‑Technical Competencies:

• Deep understanding of Operations categories.
• Comprehensive knowledge of end‑to‑end Contract Lifecycle Management including market insight, business partnering, negotiation, ongoing supplier management and governance relating to assigned category.
• Experience of complex and business‑significant categories of expenditure through multiple functions and maximising value to the business.
• Demonstrable track record of transformational value delivery through identification and implementation of innovative sourcing strategies, continuous improvement plans and demand management.
• Can design, coordinate and lead a complex, category‑wide improvement project.
• Competent in use of Company business tools – SAP, MS Packages, Ivalua.
• Ability to lead/championship Contract and Performance Management.
• Ability to ensure business compliance with Supply Chain Processes.
• Demonstrable track record of leading complex contract negotiations.
• Understanding of the commercial aims and objectives of the company.
• Commercial Know‑How: Managing for value, being the external market expert, understanding the company commercial drivers and SCM’s role in supporting these.
• Masterful understanding of general and contract law, and applications of LOGIC models, in development, execution and dispute resolution.

Education

Degree educated or appropriate relevant in work experience. MBA or Bachelor’s with a degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, or Finance preferred.

Work Experience

Engagement up to the most senior level demonstrating the ability to influence stakeholders and manage conflicting views. Effective networking and business partnering skills.

Self‑directed, pro‑active, flexible, resilient, motivated and results oriented.

Experience of working in a global matrix organisation.

Evidence of managing a category through the whole life cycle, ensuring the value created in the negotiation stage hits the bottom line.

Confidence and credibility with excellent communication and relationship management skills.

Advanced influencing, persuading and negotiating skills. Ability to present complex ideas/concepts and take a consultative approach with stakeholders and peers.

Team player with an ability to manage complex relationships and matrix teams.

Excellent analytical skills with the ability to identify and expeditiously exploit commercial opportunities. Advanced skill using MS Office including Outlook, Word, Excel and PowerPoint.

Ability to meet deadlines/deliver on promises.

Certifications

MCIPS or equivalent.

Mandatory Training required

All company mandatory training as requested, including Compliance training usually provided annually.

Contract Position

If you feel that you are well suited to this opportunity and would like to find out more, please contact Orion Group for more information or apply by forwarding your current CV quoting reference: TR/079725.