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

Duration: 1 year contract

Contract Type: PAYE

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.
• 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.
• 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.