Principal Contracts Engineer

Spirit Energy Production UK Ltd; Aberdeen City; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 80,000; Part time

Job summary

Spirit Energy is seeking a Principal Contracts Engineer in Aberdeen on a part-time PAYE basis (2–3 days per week). You will lead end-to-end contract lifecycle management, develop sourcing strategies, negotiate complex agreements, and manage supplier performance while ensuring regulatory and governance compliance.

The role requires a science/engineering background and strong procurement tools experience. Applicants should have category management expertise, contract law knowledge, and a track

Qualifications

• Understanding of category management principles and end-to-end processes.
• Understanding of contract law and LOGIC contracting models.
• Experience in leading complex negotiations.
• Skills in contract development, execution and dispute resolution.
• Ability to lead supplier performance and relationship management.
• Membership of CIPS (or equivalent).

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end contract lifecycle management for designated categories.
• Develop and implement sourcing strategies and category plans.
• Forecast spend and identify value opportunities.
• Negotiate contracts and manage supplier performance.
• Ensure compliance with regulatory and governance requirements.

Skills

Category management

Contract law

Negotiations

Contract development

SAP

Ivalua

MS Office

Engineering degree

MBA/MSc advantage

CIPS member

Education

Science or Engineering degree

MBA or MSc in Supply Chain Management

CIPS membership (or equivalent)

Tools

SAP

Ivalua

MS Office

Job description

HAVE YOU GOT SPIRIT?

Morecambe Net Zero (MNZ) is one of the UK’s most ambitious decarbonisation projects, transforming depleted gas fields in the East Irish Sea into a world‑class carbon storage hub. By safely capturing, transporting and permanently storing CO₂ from heavy industry, MNZ will play a vital role in helping the UK achieve its net zero targets while supporting thousands of skilled jobs across the country.

THE OPPORTUNITY – PRINCIPAL CONTRACTS ENGINEER

Leads end-to-end contract lifecycle management and strategic sourcing, delivers commercial value, manages supplier performance, and ensures risk‑controlled, compliant procurement aligned with business objective of commercialising Spirit’s portfolio of energy transition opportunities, including the MNZ carbon storage project in collaboration with Peak Cluster, formation of an integrated CO₂ shipping hub on Merseyside and/or at Port of Barrow, and the Barrow Energy Park development.

Location: Aberdeen Duration: 1 year contract Contract Type: Part‑time PAYE contract Days: 2 to 3 days a week. This may flex up and down depending on operational requirements Please only apply if you have existing right to work in the UK. Please outline notice period/availability to start.

AND NOW FOR THE TECHNICAL BIT…

• Category Management Lead end-to-end contract lifecycle management, ensuring maximum value from strategy through to contract close‑out.
• Conduct category and market assessments to evaluate sourcing options and trade-offs.
• Create and deliver category plans aligned with business objectives.
• Develop and implement sourcing strategies for assigned categories.
• Continuously review category performance to improve value, efficiency, and leverage.
• Forecast future spend and identify value improvement opportunities.
• Procurement & Tendering Lead end-to-end procurement activities across designated categories.
• Identify and execute competitive tendering opportunities.
• Source goods and services to achieve optimal value for money within quality and service requirements.
• Apply commercial judgement to balance cost, risk, and supply resilience.
• Contract Management & Negotiation Develop negotiation strategies and lead complex commercial negotiations.
• Draft, negotiate, and finalise contracts, ensuring risks are minimised.
• Manage contract lifecycle, including implementation and close‑out.
• Ensure compliance with contractual, legal, and commercial terms.
• Supplier & Stakeholder Management Build and maintain strong supplier relationships and drive performance improvements.
• Monitor supplier performance, resolve issues, and manage disputes.
• Act as commercial interface between suppliers and the business.
• Challenge business requirements to drive better commercial outcomes.
• Ensure delivery of negotiated value and cost savings.
• Risk & Compliance Management Identify, assess, and manage contractual, regulatory and commercial risks.
• Ensure compliance with regulatory, legal, and internal governance requirements.
• Lead discussions on risk mitigation and remediation strategies.
• Maintain accurate systems, documentation, and audit readiness.
• Safety & Operational Compliance Ensure adherence to HSE standards, policies, and procedures.
• Promote a culture of safety, compliance, and continuous improvement.
• Identify and escalat operational and regulatoryrisks.

ABOUT YOU

• An understanding of category management principles & the end‑to‑end processes
• An understanding of contract law and LOGIC contracting models
• Experience in leading complex negotiations
• Skills in contract development, execution and dispute resolution
• Ability to lead supplier performance and relationship management
• Competent user of SAP (procurement, finance, GR/IR …); Ivalua and MS Office tools
• Degree educated (preferably in Science or Engineering) or appropriate relevant in work experience
• MBA or MSc in Supply Chain Management will be an added advantage
• Membership of CIPS (or equivalent)

As we move towards first operations, we are building a diverse and forward‑thinking workforce to deliver this critical infrastructure.

We are a truly pioneering energy transition company with a portfolio and ambitions that span the breadth of the energy transition. We’re continuing to break new ground, collaborating and thinking differently. We’re proud of our heritage. With more than 30 years of production, we’re maximising the potential of our existing assets and substantial gas reserves in the UK and Netherlands. Above all, we live by our commitment to safety in everything we do. Our portfolio is predominantly gas (96%), providing vital, primary energy to fuel our homes and businesses in the UK and Europe. Our strategy is focused on:
- Safely delivering production from our existing assets; - Meeting and de‑risking our decommissioning obligations, and - Exploring strategic energy transition opportunities from our existing assets.