Procurement Manager (13-Month Maternity Cover) Contract Type: Inside IR35 contract Location: Hybrid - Didcot, UK (Minimum 2 days per week in office) Salary: £325 per day (INSIDE IR35) A leading UK innovation organisation is seeking a confident and experienced Procurement Manager to join its Commercial Services team on a 13-month maternity cover contract. This is a key role ensuring procurement processes are timely, compliant, and value-driven across a unique and impactful organisation operating at the forefront of science, technology, and research. The Role: Reporting to the Head of Commercial Services and working closely with the Procurement Business Partner, you'll be responsible for delivering procurement activity in line with the Procurement Act 2023, ensuring effective contract management, strategic procurement planning, and robust internal compliance. Key Responsibilities: Lead end-to-end procurement processes aligned with internal policy and public sector regulations. Safeguard and manage procurement compliance, particularly under the Procurement Act 2023. Monitor regulatory updates and implement necessary process changes. Determine effective routes to market and provide sound procurement advice across the organisation. Draft tender specifications, evaluation criteria, contracts, and change notes with clear deliverables. Maintain an active procurement pipeline and manage contract lifecycles. Review non-standard terms and provide risk-based assessments. Conduct due diligence and challenge exceptions to procurement policy where necessary. Deliver training, support compliance across digital procurement tools, and assist in financial monitoring. Requirements: Strong experience running procurements under Public Contracts Regulations and knowledge of the Procurement Act 2023. Skilled in drafting tender and contract documentation and challenging specifications. Confident in reviewing legal terms and identifying procurement risks. Excellent verbal and written communication skills. Highly organised with good time management and the ability to handle competing priorities. Proficient with Microsoft Office and adaptable to new systems. Desirable: MCIPS qualified or working toward it. Experience across a mix of funding types (grant, commercial, public/private sector). Experience with finance systems and technology-focused organisations. Familiarity with SAP ByDesign.