Job Description

Bilfinger UK is a leading engineering and maintenance provider, supporting customers across the chemical & petrochemical, nuclear, oil & gas, pharmaceuticals & biopharma, power & energy, utilities, renewables and food & beverage markets. We enhance the efficiency of assets, ensuring a high level of availability and reducing maintenance costs.

We have extensive experience in offshore and onshore facilities; specialising in asset management services throughout all life cycle phases from consulting, engineering, manufacturing, assembly, operations, maintenance, and decommissioning.

This commitment is delivered by an experienced and highly competent workforce of over 4,500 employees operating from 14 offices in strategic industrial hubs, upholding the highest standards of safety, compliance and quality.

The Role

This role is required to lead and manage the end‑to‑end subcontract procurement lifecycle up to contract execution for a major EPC style project within Bilfinger, with an immediate focus on the Highview Power project at Carrington.

The successful candidate will act as the lead project procurement professional, working directly with the Project and Engineering teams and taking ownership of subcontract strategy, ITT development, tendering, negotiation and contract award.

Once subcontracts are executed, the role will formally hand over commercial management to the Project Commercial team / Senior QS, allowing this position to focus on awarding subsequent packages in line with the live Procurement Plan.

This is not a buyer or post‑award administration role. It requires deep experience in NEC4 subcontract drafting and negotiation, strong commercial judgement, and the confidence to challenge inadequate scopes, specifications and risk allocation prior to award.

Key Activities

Work as part of a cross‑functional project team (Procurement, Engineering, Project Controls, Quality, Commercial and Legal) to lead procurement activities from cradle to contract execution, moving efficiently between packages as the project progresses.

The scope of responsibility includes, but is not limited to, the following:

Pre‑Contract Award

• Support the Proposals / Project team with procurement and subcontract strategies aligned to programme, risk and delivery objectives.
• Translate and robustly flow down Client head contract obligations (primarily NEC4) into subcontract Works Information, Scope, Z‑clauses and commercial terms.
• Develop and issue professionally structured ITTs, ensuring scopes are clear, buildable, and commercially balanced.
• Actively challenge poor specification, scope gaps and inappropriate risk transfer prior to tender issue.
• Manage the full tender process, including:
• Commercial clarifications
• Interface with Engineering, Quality and HSE
• Tender evaluation and recommendation
• Select and formally recommend preferred subcontractors based on best value, risk profile and deliverability, not lowest price alone.

Contract Award & Handover

• Finalise and negotiate NEC4 subcontracts, including:
• Special Conditions / Z‑clauses
• Amendments to standard terms
• Works Information and scope alignment
• Payment mechanisms, milestones and liabilities
• Place subcontracts in accordance with Bilfinger governance and compliance requirements.
• Lead subcontract kick‑off meetings, clearly setting contractual, commercial and delivery expectations.
• Formally handover executed subcontracts to the Project Commercial team / Senior QS for ongoing management.

Post‑Award (Limited / Supportive)

• Provide procurement‑led support to the Commercial team as required, including:
• Assisting with pricing of Compensation Events / variations
• Supporting contract interpretation where needed
• Maintain focus on progressing and awarding subsequent packages in line with the Procurement Plan, rather than day to day subcontract administration.

Contract Experience (Essential)

• Minimum 5 years’ demonstrable experience creating, negotiating and awarding NEC3 / NEC4 subcontracts within a live project environment.
• Strong understanding of contract strategy, Works Information development and risk allocation.
• Experience of other forms of contract desirable (MF/1, FIDIC, IChemE).

Experience & Qualifications

• Proven track record in a senior project procurement / subcontracting role, awarding multiple complex packages concurrently.
• Experience supporting live projects under programme and cost pressure.
• Strong understanding of:
• Mechanical, Electrical and C&I subcontract packages
• Multidiscipline construction and installation scopes
• Site services, plant, equipment and specialist subcontractors
• Confident communicator with the authority to influence engineers, project managers and commercial teams.
• Knowledge of SAP procurement systems.
• Membership of a relevant professional body (e.g. CIPS – essential).
• Professional or postgraduate qualification in Procurement, Commercial or Management discipline.
• Engineering qualifications (ONC / HNC / HND or equivalent) desirable.

If you wish to speak to a member of the recruitment team, please contact 01224 246246.