Procurement & Contracts Manager

About ARIA
ARIA funds breakthrough R&D for society. With an unprecedented level of independence and operational freedom, we are rethinking how to best support scientists and engineers whose work can change the world. We are growing our team to develop bold new approaches that can scale - from programmes to systems, processes and everything in between. If that sounds fun, come and build ARIA with us.
Learn more about how we work here .
Role Summary
ARIA is seeking a dynamic Procurement/Contracts manager to join our procurement, contracts and grants team, where your expertise and drive will be invaluable as you will be a crucial aid to the wider team. You'll be involved in every aspect of the procurement life cycle, from pre-market engagement to contract closure and renewals.
What you'll do
The role will broadly involve the following:
You'll be accountable for defining and running operational procurements and research and development programme/project funding calls in line with ARIA commercial and grant models. This will include working with wider ARIA team members including our Programme Directors. You'll also be reliable for ensuring that value for money is always obtained and negotiate the appropriate commercial/grant agreements alongside legal. You'll be engaged in ongoing proactive management of suppliers, contracts and grants, working closely with colleagues and suppliers to ensure that delivery is always on time and that any potential issues are identified and addressed before they become problems.
Providing general advice on procurement/research and development sourcing matters across the organisation, as well as contributing to the evolution of the procurement, contract and grant policies and working practices.
You'll be collaborating with colleagues across ARIA to ensure a mutual understanding of work requirements and progress.
As you identify opportunities for improvement, you'll be proposing innovative solutions that will help drive continuous improvement and success within ARIA.
You'll be accountable for ensuring that all decisions are accurately recorded, audit trails are maintained, and records are managed.
Who you are
A successful candidate will bring many of the following skills/experience to the role:
Good sourcing knowledge in multi-disciplinary environments covering pre and post-contract activity. Commercially astute and solutions-focused. Be comfortable with uncertainty and take a problem-solving approach. You have managed contract/commercial risks and associated mitigations. You have an eye for detail with strong verbal, written and numeracy skills and an ability to convey complex information in simple ways. You have open communication and collaboration skills with an ability to adapt to different levels and stakeholders. You have good negotiating and influencing skills. You will need to be a highly organised individual who can manage and prioritise a large workload, whilst being adaptable in a fast-paced environment. A self-starter, comfortable working in a small team and a willingness to take on any task. Qualifications
Membership of a professional body such as CIPS or working towards. Benefits
25 days annual leave provision, with the option to buy/sell an additional 5 days Hybrid working arrangements; 60% in office / 40% at home Discretionary, non-contractual annual bonus Supportive environment for learning and development opportunities Enhanced family leave arrangements A free and confidential 24/7 employee assistance programme Life Assurance 2 days of paid volunteer days 5% defined contribution pension scheme with Smart Pension An excellent office location in Kings X, London Not sure you meet 100% of our criteria? Don't worry! If you believe that you could excel in this role, we encourage you to apply. We want to attract the broadest array of candidates, including those with diverse workplace experiences and backgrounds. Whether you're new to the field, returning to work after a gap in employment, simply looking to transition, or taking the next step in your career path, we will be glad to have you on our radar. Please use your cover letter to tell us about your interests and what you hope to bring to this role.
If you require any reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process, please notify us and we will make every effort to accommodate you. Disclosing any requests are intended to provide ARIA with the best opportunity to support candidates and will have no negative impact on your recruitment process.