Procurement Specialist

Salary: £45,000 up to £49,000 dependent upon experience

Contract Type: Permanent, Full-time

Security Level: SC

Location – Aviation House – Gatwick (min 2 days in the office per week).

Visa Restrictions: This position does not offer visa sponsorship

We are the UK’s aviation and aerospace regulator and recognised as a world leader in its field. Our activities are diverse, enabling the aviation industry to meet the highest safety standards, and we pride ourselves on our ability to adapt to the constantly evolving aviation environment.

The Role

Working as part of a wider procurement team, you will be responsible for leading and managing the full end to end procurement process of purchasing goods and services that ensure compliance with CAA’s Procurement Policy, the current Procurement Regulations (e.g. Procurement Act 2023) and other public sector requirements (e.g. public procurement notices). The role will be predominately focused on providing procurement support to one of our core functions – CAA’s Safety and Regulation Group (SARG).

Your role will be responsible for purchasing a range of goods and services across a broad range of direct and indirect categories with multiple values, including over-threshold contracts. You will be required to manage contract negotiations, including terms and conditions drafting, and support the business in managing suppliers and contract performance post award.

The role will also provide support, advice, and guidance to any CAA colleagues on all matters related to Procurement (pre, during and post purchase).

Core Accountabilities

• Lead and manage the full procurement lifecycle for the acquisition of goods and services predominately required within SARG in accordance with various internal and external policies and operating frameworks. The operating context will include but is not limited to public sector regulations (e.g. Procurement Act 2023) and CAA’s Procurement Policy. Management of procurements and/or contracts that fall under the Public Contracts Regulation (PCR) 2015 regime.
• Manage all phases of sourcing, including but not limited to; early market engagement, sourcing analysis, stakeholder engagement, creation of quote/tender documents including specification drafting, management of competitive process, commercial evaluation, supplier / bid negotiations, contract implementation and contract management. Ensure all procurement activities are compliant with Procurement Act 2023 (or PCR 2015) requirements.
• Lead commercial evaluation of bids, including but not limited to; price, assumptions, risks and terms and conditions. On occasions, you may be required to evaluate quality or technical responses to support business areas that are less experienced or familiar with procurement processes.
• Use CAA’s standard procurement templates (or alternative public sector frameworks), workload tracker, Purchase to Pay (P2P) and e-tendering systems during the procurement lifecycle. Adapt procurement templates and terms and conditions as appropriate to suit specific tenders.
• Manage procurements successfully whilst achieving the most advantageous contracts for CAA that deliver value for money, reduce commercial risk and focus on wider public sector requirements such as Managing Public Money and the National Procurement Policy Statement (e.g. sustainability, social value, etc).
• Where appropriate, access and use pre-established public sector buying frameworks (e.g. Government Commercial Agency) to source and let CAA contracts.
• Support and facilitate contract administration (e.g., change control), contract and supplier performance (e.g., key performance indicators, service reviews, disputes, and escalations). Lead contract renewal negotiations and exit arrangements. Support and upskill CAA colleagues in best practice supplier management.
• Independently manage and complete all other work-related administration, including but not limited to procurement templates, contract forecast and database updates, and reporting.
• Identify and implement cost saving opportunities, track savings achieved.
• Lead, develop and sustain close working relationships (business partnering) with key business stakeholders, providing best practice and practical advice on all procurement matters.
• Maintain currency of Public Sector Procurement knowledge, legislation, policies, updates, and best practice to ensure that your skills, qualifications, expertise and knowledge are kept up to date that enables you to remain effective in your role.
• Work collaboratively to support or lead procurement activities or projects with either a direct Procurement Team member or wider business colleagues.
• Lead and manage non-competitive requests (e.g., single tender actions, non-disclosure agreements, grant funding, Freedom of Information requests, spend reports, etc.).

About You

• MCIPS qualified or working towards MCIPS (level 4 minimum).
• Experience of public sector procurement.
• Experience of leading competitive exercises and evaluation of commercial bid aspects.
• Experience of understanding and using public sector frameworks.
• Experience of supplier and contract management, particularly implementing and monitoring service level agreements, key performance indicators and financial management.
• Strong interpersonal, communication and organisation skills.
• Comfortable working under pressure within strict deadlines.
• Experience of independent terms and conditions review and negotiation.

Additional Information

For many appointments within the CAA, these roles require access to operationally sensitive infrastructure and/or Nationally Protected information. For these roles the post holders must undergo National Security Vetting and achieve the appropriate level of clearance.

To be vetted we will usually expect a reasonable period of residency in the UK so that meaningful checks can be undertaken. For this role this will need to be 5 years.

If you do not meet these requirements, we may not be able to accept your application.

For more information on CTC and SC clearance please visit – Vetting explained – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

For more information on BPSS clearance please visit – BPSS clearance

The CAA values high ethical standards and personal integrity among employees. If invited for interview you will be asked to complete a declaration of interest.

Relocation & Property

The CAA will be relocating from Aviation House (Our Gatwick Office) to new premises in a few years’ time. Our move is driven by strategic, operational and environmental considerations.

We will be moving to a new local home, up to a 15-mile radius of Aviation House, to minimise disruption for our valued colleagues and customers.

We are now working with colleagues and visitors to understand what we need in our new office, before we start our property search. We will sell Aviation House and land, vacate the site and move to new premises, but we do not expect to move before 2028

Inclusive Recruitment

We are passionate about diversity and ensuring all are included at the CAA. We are an equal opportunity employer and actively encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds.

As a member of the Disability Confident scheme, applicants who meet the minimum criteria for a role with us will be guaranteed an interview. We use fair and inclusive selection approaches to hire the best person for the job based on merit alone. If you require an adjustment for any reason, please let us know.

Use of Artificial Intelligence by candidates in the CAA recruitment process

We recognise that many of our candidates find Artificial Intelligence to be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be rejected on that basis.

Working With Us

We are on a journey towards being increasingly adaptable, where our colleagues collaborate as part of cross-functional teams. This approach ensures we never stop learning together. It also means that you may become involved in activities that take you out of your day-to-day role, providing you with opportunities to develop and grow your career with us.

We have embraced hybrid working and offer flexible working patterns, being open to having a conversation about what works for you. We know where and when we work is important in achieving a work-life balance.

We offer a range of excellent benefits such as flexible working arrangements, free onsite gym at Gatwick, discounted gym membership for London, 28 days annual leave, additional 5 days leave purchase scheme, a generous pension scheme and much more!

Our Values

Do The Right Thing, Never Stop Learning, Build Collaborative Relationships, Respect Everyone – For more information please Click Here

Closing Date: 20th May 2026

Interview Date: 27th and 28th May 2026

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.

No recruitment agencies please.

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