The IT Procurement Specialist will support the procurement of external IT hardware and software at EMBL-EBI, ensuring best practice and compliance with EMBL’s values, as well as relevant internal rules and regulations. The role’s primary objective is to support externally funded IT infrastructure, ensuring value for money is achieved across all procurement activities.
Working as part of a collaborative procurement team, the role will coordinate with Information Technology & Services (IT&S), Finance, Project Management, Legal, and wider Administration teams. This role involves close interaction with Group and Team leaders at both EMBL-EBI and EMBL Heidelberg.
Your Role
EMBL-EBI Technical Procurement Activities
- Leading on externally funded tender requirements, with a key focus on large IT infrastructure hardware (Storage, HPC & Network), in addition to supporting large scale core funded tender activities.
- Conduct thorough market analysis to identify vendors, execute RFQs/RFPs, and manage competitive bidding processes for IT software and hardware solutions
- Identifying key areas for spend consolidation and cost saving opportunities.
- Liaise between suppliers, manufacturers and internal teams to ensure good communication of equipment deliveries, installation and acceptance.
- Supporting the delivery of the EMBL-EBI Procurement Strategy.
- Working directly with the IT&S teams to routinely ensure that assets are managed within ERP system and align to the Data Centre Infrastructure Management system (DCIM).
- Monthly tracking of actual and anticipated spend & budgets.
- Input into the wider shared sustainability objectives.
- Assist with generating spend analysis reports and statistics.
- Periodic review of EMBL-EBI approved suppliers.
- Provide absence cover to the Senior Procurement Officer and Purchasing Officer.
- Other tasks determined by the Senior Procurement Manager, Senior Finance Manager and Head of EBI Administration & Operations.
EMBL-EBI IT Software Management
- Negotiate software licensing agreements (e.g., subscription models, perpetual licenses) and hardware supply contracts, ensuring favourable pricing, support services, warranties, and service-level agreements (SLAs)
- Oversee contract management from onboarding through lifecycle renewal, ensuring adherence to terms, amendments, and compliance with software licensing models and hardware warranties
- Working closely with EMBL-EBI Legal Services to implement new and manage existing agreements.
- Monitoring supplier compliance with contractual obligations
- Arranging and conducting periodic contract review meetings with key suppliers
- Undertake value for money reviews of existing contracts and arrangements.
- Liaising with IT&S to review hardware maintenance service levels.
You Have
- Procurement qualification (CIPS) or qualified by experience
- Experience working in a finance and procurement environment
- Experience of procuring large scale IT infrastructure (Storage, HPC & Network)
- Knowledge of complex procurement processes
- Capable of working under own initiative
- Experience using SAP/Workday
- Comprehensive knowledge of MS Office, specifically MS Excel
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
- Flexible, energetic & able to work as part of a team
- Able to deal positively with change and adapt to new situations
- Attention to detail
- Excellent verbal and written skills
You might also have
- Experience of budget management
Why join us
Do something meaningful
At EMBL-EBI you can apply your talent and passion to accelerate science and tackle some of humankind's greatest challenges. EMBL-EBI, part of the European Molecular Biology Laboratory, is a worldwide leader in the storage, analysis and dissemination of large biological datasets. We provide the global research community with access to publicly available databases and tools which are crucial for the advancement of healthcare, food security, and biodiversity.
Join a culture of innovation
We are located on the Wellcome Genome Campus, alongside other prominent research and biotech organisations, and surrounded by beautiful Cambridgeshire countryside. This is a highly collaborative and inclusive community where our employees enjoy a relaxed atmosphere. We are committed to ensuring our employees feel valued, supported and empowered to reach their professional potential.
Enjoy Lots Of Benefits
- Financial incentives: Monthly family, child and non-resident allowances, annual salary review, pension scheme, death benefit, long-term care, accident-at-work and unemployment insurances
- Flexible working arrangements including hybrid working patterns and hours
- Private medical insurance for you and your immediate family (including all prescriptions and generous dental & optical cover)
- Generous time off: 30 days annual leave per year, in addition to eight bank holidays
- Relocation package including installation grant (if required)
- Campus life: Free shuttle bus to and from work, on-site library, subsidised on-site gym and cafeteria, casual dress code, extensive sports and social club activities (on campus and remotely)
- Family benefits: On-site nursery, 10 days of child sick leave (under 12), generous parental leave, holiday clubs on campus and monthly family and child allowances
- Benefits for non-UK residents: Visa exemption, education grant for private schooling, financial support to travel back to your home country every second year and a monthly non-resident allowance.
For more details please see our employee benefits page.
What Else You Need To Know
- Contract duration: This position is a 3 year fixed-term project-limited contract.
- Job location: This role is based in EMBL-EBI Hinxton, (near Cambridge, UK). You will be required to relocate if you are based overseas and you will receive a generous relocation package to support you as applicable.
- International applicants: We recruit internationally and successful candidates are offered visa exemptions. Read more on our page for international applicants.
- Diversity and inclusion: At EMBL-EBI, we strongly believe that inclusive and diverse teams benefit from higher levels of innovation and creative thought. We encourage applications from women, LGBTQ+ and individuals from all nationalities.
- How to apply: To apply please submit a cover letter and a CV through our online system.
- Interviews: interviews will be held via Zoom in 2025. Details will be confirmed with selected candidates.
