Procurement Manager

Location: Lisboa, Portugal
Department: Procurement
Employment Type: Permanent Contract with 6-Month Probation Period

DCS Norway is looking for an experienced Procurement Manager to lead procurement and supply chain activities for medium-voltage (MV) and high-voltage (HV) substation EPC projects across Norway, Finland, and Portugal.

The role covers the complete procure-to-pay cycle, from tender-stage pricing and supplier selection through contract award, expediting, delivery, and close-out. You will work closely with the Bid team, Design Engineering, Project Managers, and Finance to build a competitive supplier and subcontractor network, manage commercial and supply chain risks, and establish procurement processes that support the company's growth.

This role offers an opportunity to develop into Head of Procurement as the function grows.

Key Responsibilities

Procurement Strategy and Process

• Develop and implement procurement strategies, policies, and procedures in line with DCS Norway and CTS Group requirements.

• Define category strategies for key spend areas, including power transformers, GIS/AIS switchgear, protection and control systems, cables, steel structures, and civil works.

• Establish and manage framework agreements and long-term partnerships with strategic suppliers.

• Set up procurement governance, approval limits, and documentation in line with the company Integrated Management System (IMS) and delegations of authority.

• Select, implement, and improve procurement systems and tools to increase efficiency and transparency.

Sourcing, Tendering and Contract Award

• Lead RFQ/RFP processes for equipment, materials, and subcontracts, from technical and commercial specification through contract award.

• Conduct commercial evaluations and negotiations to secure the best value in terms of price, quality, delivery, and contractual terms.

• Prepare and agree on purchase orders and subcontracts, ensuring appropriate provisions for warranties, liquidated damages, payment, and liability.

• Support the Bid team with supplier pricing, lead times, and commercial input during tender preparation.

• Ensure back-to-back alignment between client contract requirements and supplier/subcontractor terms.

Supply Chain, Expediting and Logistics

• Monitor supplier performance, manufacturing progress, and delivery schedules, with particular focus on long-lead equipment.

• Coordinate Factory Acceptance Tests (FAT), inspections, and quality documentation with Engineering and Quality teams.

• Manage logistics, freight, customs, and delivery to project sites in Norway and Finland.

• Identify supply chain risks, including lead times, single-source dependencies, and market volatility, and implement mitigation plans.

• Manage supplier claims, non-conformities, back-charges, and warranty issues through to resolution.

Supplier and Subcontractor Management

• Build and maintain a qualified supplier and subcontractor base across the Nordic and wider European markets.

• Conduct supplier prequalification and periodic evaluations covering quality, HSE, financial stability, ESG, and compliance.

• Ensure suppliers and subcontractors comply with applicable regulations, including Norwegian requirements concerning pay and working conditions and contractor liability, where relevant.

• Develop strategic supplier relationships and drive continuous improvement in cost, quality, and delivery.

• Promote responsible sourcing and compliance with anti-bribery, sanctions, and supply chain due diligence requirements, including the Norwegian Transparency Act.

Team Leadership, Budget and Reporting

• Build, lead, and develop the procurement team as the function grows, including buyers and expediters.

• Track procurement spend, savings, and commitments against project budgets in collaboration with Project Managers and Finance.

• Report procurement KPIs, risks, and supply market trends to the CEO and leadership team.

• Ensure procurement records, contracts, and approvals are complete, auditable, and archived in accordance with the company IMS.

• Travel to suppliers, factories, and project sites as required.

Required Qualifications and Competencies

Education

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Engineering, Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, or a related field.

• A professional procurement qualification, such as CIPS, is an advantage.

Professional Experience

• Minimum 8 years of experience in procurement or supply chain management, including at least 3 years in a lead or managerial role.

• Experience procuring electrical equipment and subcontracts for MV/HV substations, power transmission, or energy infrastructure projects is highly desirable.

• Proven experience working for an EPC contractor or in a project-based engineering and construction environment.

• Track record of negotiating high-value supply agreements, subcontract agreements, and framework agreements.

• Experience establishing or developing procurement processes and teams in a growing organisation is a strong advantage.

Technical and Commercial Skills

• Strong knowledge of the full procure-to-pay cycle, category management, and strategic sourcing.

• Sound understanding of commercial and contractual terms, including Nordic and international contract forms such as NS 8405/NS 8407, NL/NLM, YSE 1998, and FIDIC, as well as Incoterms.

• Good technical understanding of substation equipment, including transformers, switchgear, protection and control systems, and cables.

• Knowledge of supply chain compliance, including anti-bribery, sanctions, ESG, and supplier due diligence requirements.

• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills; experience with ERP and procurement systems is an advantage.

• Ability to analyse total cost of ownership, supplier risk, and market trends.

Interpersonal and Communication Skills

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English. Portuguese is an advantage.

• Must have the right to work in the EU/EEA and be available to travel to Norway and Finland as required.

• Strong organisational and multitasking capabilities.

• Strong negotiation skills, with the ability to secure value while maintaining long-term supplier relationships.

• Leadership skills, with the ambition and ability to build and grow a procurement function.

• High level of integrity and commercial awareness.

• Collaborative approach when working with engineering, project, finance, and bid teams.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Procurement savings achieved against tender budgets.

• On-time delivery of critical and long-lead equipment against project schedules.

• Share of procurement spend covered by framework agreements and prequalified suppliers.

• Supplier performance across quality, delivery, and HSE, including the number of supplier non-conformities.

• Procurement process compliance, including approvals, documentation, and audit findings.

Health, Safety and Environment (HSE)

• Comply with all applicable health, safety, and environmental legislation, regulations, and company procedures.

• Integrate safety-by-design principles into engineering and project activities, ensuring that designs and solutions prioritise the safety of personnel, equipment, and the environment.

• Participate in relevant risk assessments and hazard identification activities.

• Report safety concerns, incidents, and near-misses in accordance with company HSE procedures.

• Support the development and maintenance of a positive safety culture within the team and across projects.

• Ensure compliance with the company Integrated Management System (IMS), covering quality, safety, and environmental standards.

Replacement Policy

• For absences of less than one month, the Procurement Manager will be replaced by the Project Manager designated by the COO.

• For absences exceeding one month, a temporary replacement will be appointed by senior management. Internal or external recruitment may apply in accordance with DCS Norway replacement policy guidelines.

• The replacement will assume the key responsibilities outlined in this job description to ensure continuity in procurement and supply chain activities.

Compensation and Benefits

• Annual variable performance bonus of 0–10%, depending on company and individual performance and subject to an annual performance review.

• Meal allowance of €10.46 per working day, provided via a meal card.

• Private health insurance coverage for the employee.

• 22 working days of annual leave, in accordance with Portuguese labour law.

• For business travel outside Portugal, a nominal Portugal allowance of approximately €89 per day, with 50% payment for the final travel day.

• The company will cover accommodation and travel costs for business trips, as reflected in the employment contract.

• When the daily living-away allowance is paid, the meal card allowance is not payable.

About the Role

DCS Norway operates a competence-based resource model. While this job description defines the primary function of the role, individuals are expected to contribute across other engineering and project functions based on their competencies and business needs. This approach supports team flexibility, professional development, and efficient resource utilisation across projects.