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. Please note that while we have used the job title ‘Procurement Category Manager’ to advertise the vacancy, the official title of the position is ‘Procurement Business Partner’.
About the role
The Procurement Business Partner is part of our Procurement and Contract Management Team, providing expert procurement support that helps deliver NOC’s mission. Using a category management approach, the team secures long-term value through strategic sourcing, framework agreements, effective contract management, and supplier risk management. As the team continues to grow, we’re rolling out a new tendering system and evolving into a more sustainable, innovative, agile, and strategic function.
As a trusted Business Partner and procurement SME, you will support our marine operations, engineering, and autonomous systems community, building strong stakeholder relationships and delivering best practice procurement. Alongside supporting day-to-day operations, you’ll play a key role in two exciting new marine projects, developing and implementing procurement strategies that align with organisational and stakeholder objectives.
Working alongside world-leading ocean researchers and supporting our fleet of advanced research vessels, including the RRS James Cook and RRS Discovery, you’ll help procure and manage the infrastructure that enables pioneering marine science. You’ll lead compliant sourcing activities, negotiate robust contracts, and manage supplier performance across areas such as vessel maintenance, marine engineering, autonomous systems, specialist equipment, and operational services, ensuring safe, reliable, and cost-effective delivery in a fast-paced environment.
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, supporting marine and engineering procurement activities.
- Proven ability to develop innovative sourcing strategies for complex engineering and marine requirements, including ship refits, maintenance programmes, autonomous systems, and fuel supply, while adapting to operational and regulatory changes.
- Strong skills in managing stakeholder relationships within a matrix structure, collaborating with technical, operations, and finance teams.
- Skilled in assessing organisational needs, communicating these to suppliers, and evaluating proposals/contracts for marine and engineering services, including vessel maintenance and dry-dock projects.
- Knowledge of public sector procurement regulations and procedures, including compliance with the Procurement Act 2023.
- Experience creating category plans based on market, cost, and supplier analysis for engineering services, marine equipment, ship repair, autonomous systems, and fuel supply frameworks.
- Demonstrated ability in supplier relationship management, including performance oversight and whole-life contract management for marine and engineering suppliers.
- Experience reviewing and negotiating supplier terms and preparing tender/framework documentation for ship maintenance, engineering projects, and fuel contracts.
- Familiarity with a wide range of procurement solutions, including negotiation and competitive tendering for engineering and marine categories.
- Experience with e-tendering/e-procurement systems and ERP systems (Unit4 advantageous), alongside exposure to large public tenders, Public Contracting Regulations, and procurement reporting and analytics.
Salary range: £45,233 – £49,619 (Plus potential market supplement, based on experience & qualifications)
Application deadline: August 31, 2026
Location: Southampton, UK
