Procurement Specialist

Salary: £45,000 up to £49,000 per annum 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
Closing Date: 4th August 2026
Interview Date: 13th and 14th August 2026

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 services (direct and indirect) 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 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 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.
• 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.
• 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.