Contract Engineer

Contracts Engineer – 2 year PAYE Contract – Based in Barrow-in-Furness

Contract: 2 Years PAYE

Rate: Negotiable

Hybrid: 4 days in office, 1 day from home

Job Overview

The Contracts Engineer is responsible for leading end-to-end contract lifecycle management and strategic sourcing activities across key spend categories. The role delivers commercial value through effective supplier management, robust contracting strategies, risk mitigation, and compliant procurement practices aligned to business objectives.

Category Management

• Lead the full contract lifecycle, ensuring maximum commercial value is achieved from strategy development through to contract close-out.
• Conduct category and market assessments to evaluate sourcing options, market dynamics and commercial trade-offs.
• Develop and implement category strategies aligned with business requirements and corporate objectives.
• Create and execute category management plans to drive continuous improvement and value delivery.
• Monitor category performance and identify opportunities to improve efficiency, leverage and commercial outcomes.
• Forecast future expenditure and identify value improvement and cost reduction opportunities.
• Lead end-to-end procurement activities across assigned categories.
• Identify and manage competitive tendering opportunities.
• Source goods and services to achieve optimum value while meeting quality, operational and service requirements.
• Apply sound commercial judgement to balance cost, risk, performance and supply chain resilience.
• Ensure procurement activities are conducted in accordance with company governance policies and procedures.

Contract Management & Negotiation

• Develop negotiation strategies and lead complex commercial negotiations.
• Draft, negotiate and finalise contracts while ensuring risks are appropriately managed and minimised.
• Manage the contract lifecycle from award and implementation through to contract expiry or close-out.
• Ensure contractual, legal and commercial obligations are clearly defined and adhered to.
• Support dispute resolution and contract performance management activities where required.
• Build and maintain effective relationships with suppliers and key business stakeholders.
• Drive supplier performance improvements through regular engagement and performance monitoring.
• Resolve supplier-related issues and manage contract disputes where necessary.
• Act as the key commercial interface between suppliers and internal stakeholders.
• Challenge business requirements constructively to deliver improved commercial outcomes.
• Ensure delivery of negotiated savings, value improvements and contractual benefits.

Risk & Compliance Management

• Identify, assess and manage contractual, commercial and regulatory risks.
• Ensure compliance with legal, regulatory and internal governance requirements.
• Lead discussions relating to risk mitigation and remediation strategies.
• Maintain accurate procurement records, contract documentation and audit-ready systems.

Safety & Operational Compliance

• Promote compliance with company Health, Safety and Environmental (HSE) standards, policies and procedures.
• Support a culture of safety, compliance and continuous improvement.
• Identify operational, commercial and regulatory risks and elevate where appropriate.
• Undertake any other duties reasonably required to support business objectives.

Skills & Experience

• Strong understanding of category management principles and end-to-end procurement processes.
• Knowledge of contract law and LOGIC contracting models.
• Experience leading complex commercial negotiations.
• Proven capability in contract development, contract execution and dispute resolution.
• Strong supplier relationship and performance management skills.
• Experience using SAP (Procurement, Finance and GR/IR), Ivalua and Microsoft Office.
• Excellent stakeholder management, negotiation and communication skills.

Qualifications

• Degree educated, preferably in Science, Engineering, Business, Procurement or a related discipline, or significant relevant industry experience.
• Membership of CIPS (or equivalent professional procurement body).
• MBA or MSc in Supply Chain Management, Procurement or a related discipline is advantageous.

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