Contracts Support Engineer

Matchtech; Fawley; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading engineering firm is seeking a Contracts Support Engineer in the United Kingdom to join their commercial team. This role involves supporting contracting strategies and contract lifecycle management at a major refinery. Candidates should possess strong communication and negotiation skills, and a working knowledge of the Procure-to-Pay process is essential. This position is Inside IR35 and offers competitive rates based on experience and responsibility level.

Qualifications

• Strong communication, influencing, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills.
• Sound commercial judgement and adaptability.
• Experience in contract or technical writing is desirable but not essential.
• Exposure to refinery, maintenance, or turnaround environments.
• Working knowledge of the Procure-to-Pay (P2P) process.
• Valid driving licence is mandatory.

Responsibilities

• Support the development of contracting strategies and procurement plans.
• Drive continuous improvement in contract scope and application.
• Provide hands-on support during tender preparation and execution.
• Support change management activities and deliver training to agreement owners.
• Offer ongoing support throughout contract execution.
• Contribute to cost improvement initiatives and share best practices.

Skills

Strong communication skills

Negotiation skills

Stakeholder management skills

Sound commercial judgement

Adaptability

Contract writing

Project management

Job description

Our client, who owns and operates the Fawley refinery, is currently seeking a Contracts Support Engineer to join their commercial team.

Job Overview

The Contracts Support Engineer is responsible for supporting the development, execution, and implementation of contracting strategies across a portfolio of site‑based contracts at a major refinery. The role focuses on maximising commercial value, ensuring effective contract application, and supporting strong contractual performance throughout the full contract lifecycle.

The refinery operates using multiple multi‑discipline contracting organisations that deliver a broad range of maintenance and operational services, including mechanical, electrical, instrumentation, scaffolding, insulation, and associated support trades. This position plays a key role in ensuring these contracts are robust, clearly defined, and effectively managed to support safe, compliant, and efficient refinery operations.

Key Responsibilities

• Support the development of contracting strategies and ensure procurement and tender plans align with site priorities and business objectives.
• Drive continuous improvement in contract scope, structure, and application.
• Provide hands‑on support during tender preparation, supplier qualification, bid evaluation, negotiations, and contract implementation as required.
• Support change management activities, including preparation of MOC and governance documentation, coordination of contract kick‑off meetings, and delivery of guidance or training to agreement owners.
• Offer ongoing support throughout contract execution, including claims analysis, KPI and performance monitoring, contract amendments, and resolution of commercial or operational issues.
• Contribute to cost improvement initiatives, benchmarking, innovation, and sharing of best practices across the site and wider contracting network.

Qualifications & Skills

• Strong communication, influencing, negotiation, and stakeholder‑management skills.
• Sound commercial judgement and adaptability.
• Experience in contract or technical writing and project management is desirable but not essential.
• Exposure to refinery, maintenance, or turnaround environments and experience of P2P processes, contract implementation, and working with multi‑discipline engineering contractors.
• Working knowledge of the Procure‑to‑Pay (P2P / PtP) process and an understanding of technical maintenance and operations work scopes.
• Valid driving licence is mandatory.

Employment Information

This role is Inside IR35. The rates advertised are PAYE and will be commensurate with the successful candidate's skills, experience, and level of responsibility, benchmarked against comparable roles within the commercial team.