Principal Contracts Engineer

Morecambe Net Zero (MNZ) is one of the UK’s most ambitious decarbonisation projects, transforming depleted gas fields in the East Irish Sea into a world‑class carbon storage hub. By safely capturing, transporting and permanently storing CO₂ from heavy industry, MNZ will play a vital role in helping the UK achieve its net zero targets while supporting thousands of skilled jobs across the country.
 
 
THE OPPORTUNITY – PRINCIPAL CONTRACTS ENGINEER
 
Leads end-to-end contract lifecycle management and strategic sourcing, delivers commercial value, manages supplier performance, and ensures risk-controlled, compliant procurement aligned with business objective of commercialising Spirit’s portfolio of energy transition opportunities, including the MNZ carbon storage project in collaboration with Peak Cluster, formation of an integrated CO2 shipping hub on Merseyside and/or at Port of Barrow, and the Barrow Energy Park development.
 
Location: Aberdeen
Duration: 1 year contract
Contract Type: PAYE
Day Rate: TBC - For your application to be progressed, please ensure you provide a PAYE day rate banding expectation. 
 

• Please only apply if you have existing right to work in the UK.
• Please outline notice period/availability to start.

 
Closing Date for Applications: 16th July 2026
 
 
AND NOW FOR THE TECHNICAL BIT…
In role, you will be required to:
 
Category Management

• Lead end-to-end contract lifecycle management, ensuring maximum value from strategy through to contract close-out.
• Conduct category and market assessments to evaluate sourcing options and trade-offs.
• Create and deliver category plans aligned with business objectives.
• Develop and implement sourcing strategies for assigned categories.
• Continuously review category performance to improve value, efficiency, and leverage.
• Forecast future spend and identify value improvement opportunities.

 
Procurement & Tendering

• Lead end-to-end procurement activities across designated categories.
• Identify and execute competitive tendering opportunities.
• Source goods and services to achieve optimal value for money within quality and service requirements.
• Apply commercial judgement to balance cost, risk, and supply resilience.

 
Contract Management & Negotiation

• Develop negotiation strategies and lead complex commercial negotiations.
• Draft, negotiate, and finalise contracts, ensuring risks are minimised.
• Manage contract lifecycle, including implementation and close-out.
• Ensure compliance with contractual, legal, and commercial terms.

 
Supplier & Stakeholder Management

• Build and maintain strong supplier relationships and drive performance improvements.
• Monitor supplier performance, resolve issues, and manage disputes.
• Act as commercial interface between suppliers and the business.
• Challenge business requirements to drive better commercial outcomes.
• Ensure delivery of negotiated value and cost savings.

 
Risk & Compliance Management

• Identify, assess, and manage contractual, regulatory and commercial risks.
• Ensure compliance with regulatory, legal, and internal governance requirements.
• Lead discussions on risk mitigation and remediation strategies.
• Maintain accurate systems, documentation, and audit readiness.

 
Safety & Operational Compliance

• Ensure adherence to HSE standards, policies, and procedures.
• Promote a culture of safety, compliance, and continuous improvement.
• Identify and escalate operational and regulatory risks.

 
Any other associated duties as reasonably required
 
 
 
ABOUT YOU
To be successful in this role, we are looking for:
 

• An understanding of category management principles & the end-to-end processes
• An understanding of contract law and LOGIC contracting models
• Experience in leading complex negotiations
• Skills in contract development, execution and dispute resolution
• Ability to lead supplier performance and relationship management
• Competent user of SAP (procurement, finance, GR/IR …); Ivalua and MS Office tools
• Degree educated (preferably in Science or Engineering) or appropriate relevant in work experience
• MBA or MSc in Supply Chain Management will be an added advantage
• Membership of CIPS (or equivalent)

 
 
As we move towards first operations, we are building a diverse and forward‑thinking workforce to deliver this critical infrastructure. If this feels like the right match, we’d love to hear from you


People are our business worldwide
 
Orion Group was founded in 1987 and is now one of the largest, independent, international recruitment companies. We have a network of 200 employees working from 24 offices, delivering a range of services – Talent Acquisition, Recruitment Outsourcing Services, Retained Search, Global Workforce Solutions, Completions & Commissioning and Materials Management – across 68 countries. As a global leader in workforce solutions, we recruit personnel across the Engineering & Technical, Office & Commercial, Scientific and Skilled Trades disciplines, for sectors including Oil & Gas, Life Science, Power & Utilities, Constructions & Infrastructure, Manufacturing and Renewables.