Senior Procurement Business Partner

National Oceanography Centre; Southampton; Hybrid; GBP 56,000 - 67,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

30 days annual leave

Employer pension contributions 10%

Relocation assistance

EV salary sacrifice scheme

Employee Assistance Programme

Job summary

National Oceanography Centre in Southampton seeks a Senior Procurement Business Partner to lead the procurement strand of our Procurement and Purchasing team, reporting to the Head of Procurement. This role guides commercial strategy across research, vessel operations and infrastructure.

You will line manage a team of Procurement Business Partners, drive high-value tenders and frameworks, and advise stakeholders on commercial terms and procurement policy, including Procurement Act 2023

Qualifications

• Substantial experience of complex public sector procurement, including frameworks and high-value, high-risk contracts.
• Experience leading, line managing and developing procurement professionals, including setting priorities across a team.
• Experience developing category strategies and plans based on market, cost and supplier analysis, and supporting others to deliver them.
• Experience aligning procurement, purchasing and contract management activity with an overarching strategy, policy and process framework.
• Detailed working knowledge of the Procurement Act 2023, including competitive procedures, frameworks, direct award and notice requirements.
• The ability to act as a trusted adviser to senior stakeholders and to lead the procurement elements of cross-functional programmes.
• Strong commercial and negotiation skills, and confidence working with legal teams on contractual terms.
• Experience embedding whole life contract management and supplier relationship management.
• Experience with e-tendering/e-procurement and ERP systems (Proactis and Unit4 advantageous), and procurement reporting and analytics.

Responsibilities

• Lead the procurement strand of the Procurement and Purchasing team and shape procurement strategy.
• Line manage and develop a team of Procurement Business Partners.
• Set priorities across the team and support colleagues on high-value tenders and frameworks.
• Advise stakeholders on commercial approach, risk and compliance with procurement requirements.
• Coordinate with cross-functional programmes and ensure alignment with capabilities and regulatory requirements.

Skills

Public sector procurement

People management

Category strategies

Contract management

e-tendering

ERP systems (Proactis)

Tools

Proactis

Unit4

Job description

Location

Southampton

Function

Strategic Finance

Group

Procurement

Duration

Full Time

Salary

£55,939 - £67,119

Closing Date

17/11/2026

Job Reference

NOC12374

Documents

• Job Description and Person Specification (PDF, 140.89kb)

Employer

National Oceanography Centre, Southampton

Contract Type

Permanent, Full time (37 hours per week)

Company Overview

We are the National Oceanography Centre (NOC) - the UK’s leading institution for integrated coastal and deep ocean research. Through our ground-breaking research, collaboration, and game-changing innovation we work to gain a deeper understanding of our ocean, helping every living thing on our planet flourish.

We are made up of a dynamic and vibrant community focused on solving challenging long-term marine science problems, underpinning international and UK public policy, business and societal outcomes.

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.

Join us in shaping the future of oceanographic research and contribute your unique perspective to our organisation.

About The Role

Following an internal promotion we are seeking to appoint a new Senior Procurement Business Partner (SPBP). The SPBP leads the procurement strand of our Procurement and Purchasing team and reports to the Head of Procurement. Procurement as a group sits within Strategic Finance, and is growing as we roll out a new tendering system and develop into a sustainable, innovative, agile and strategic function.

Procurement at NOC supports the research, vessel operations and infrastructure that make our ocean science possible. In this role you will lead NOC's Procurement and Contract Management strategy and ensure that all procurement, purchasing and contract management activity is aligned with it, giving colleagues across the organisation a consistent and dependable route to market.

You will line manage and develop a team of Procurement Business Partners, each responsible for a category portfolio. You will set clear priorities across the team, support colleagues on the most complex and high-value tenders and frameworks, and help each Business Partner build their confidence and capability.

As our senior procurement subject matter expert, you will advise stakeholders across NOC on commercial approach, risk and compliance with the Procurement Act 2023, and lead the procurement elements of key cross-functional programmes. You will work in tandem with the Senior Procurement Controller, who owns procurement systems, compliance reporting, policy and process elements of the Group ensuring alignment with relevant capabilities and regulatory requirements.

This is an opportunity to shape how a growing procurement function works, and to see that work makes a direct difference to NOC's science at sea and on shore.

About You

• Substantial experience of complex public sector procurement, including frameworks and high-value, high-risk contracts.
• Experience leading, line managing and developing procurement professionals, including setting priorities across a team.
• Experience developing category strategies and plans based on market, cost and supplier analysis, and supporting others to deliver them.
• Experience aligning procurement, purchasing and contract management activity with an overarching strategy, policy and process framework.
• Detailed working knowledge of the Procurement Act 2023, including competitive procedures, frameworks, direct award and notice requirements.
• The ability to act as a trusted adviser to senior stakeholders and to lead the procurement elements of cross-functional programmes.
• Strong commercial and negotiation skills, and confidence working with legal teams on contractual terms.
• Experience embedding whole life contract management and supplier relationship management.
• Experience with e-tendering/e-procurement and ERP systems (Proactis and Unit4 advantageous), and procurement reporting and analytics.

Category experience in research, public sector or HE environments would be an advantage.

Why NOC?

We Offer a Generous Set Of Benefits, Including

• 30 days contractual annual leave, plus 3.5 extra closure days and bank holidays
• a 10% employer contribution pension scheme (with a 15% NI saving on employee contributions made above 5%, if in the salary sacrifice scheme)
• Death in Service (3 times annual salary) provided by Aviva from day one of employment, plus access to a range of other Aviva wellbeing services
• financial support for relocation
• a salary sacrifice scheme for electric / hybrid vehicles (qualifying period applies)
• access to our Employee Assistance Programme, offering free and confidential support on mental, physical, emotional, health and financial issues
• access to a flexible benefits portal offering online discounts, cashback and eGift cards
• a Cycle2Work scheme allowing employees to acquire bikes and accessories
• a great working environment with a number of social events, including summer and Christmas celebrations
• we are proud to be a Living Wage Employer

Location

This position will be based in Southampton. The centre is well connected by public transport and has ample cycle parking in addition to free onsite car-parking with over 40 EV charging points.

We have a hybrid working approach where for most positions staff can work from home up to 2 days per week.

Submitting an application

We will be assessing all applications against the answer submitted to the application question. Those deemed suitable will then be assessed against the attached person specification.

Before submitting your application please ensure you have reviewed the attached job description and person specification.

We are committed to fostering diversity and inclusion in our workplace. We actively encourage qualified candidates from all backgrounds to apply for this position, as we strive to create a supportive and equitable environment where all voices are valued and heard.

Those seeking employment at NOC are considered solely on their qualifications, skills and experience, without regard to gender, gender identity, age, race, religion, disability, sex, sexual orientation, relationship status, family status (including pregnancy / maternity leave) or any other protected characteristic.

There is a guaranteed interview scheme for candidates who meet the minimum criteria of the position and declare a disability.

Date advert posted: 20/10/2026

Closing date: 17/10/2026. This vacancy may close earlier depending on the number of applicants.