Job Description:

Senior Commercial Manager - Procurement, Contracts & Commercial Strategy

UK Fusion Energy (UKFE) | STEP Programme | West Burton, Nottinghamshire

Lead the commercial function behind one of the world's most ambitious engineering and technology programmes.Fusion energy has the potential to transform how the world is powered. Through the STEP Programme, UK Fusion Energy (UKFE) is bringing together leading scientists, engineers and commercial professionals to help deliver the world's first prototype fusion power plant.

As UKFE continues to grow, Senior Commercial Managers will play a critical leadership role in developing the commercial strategy, procurement approach and supplier partnerships that will support the successful delivery of this pioneering programme.This is a rare opportunity to join at a formative stage, build and lead commercial teams, influence major strategic decisions and help establish the commercial foundations of an organisation at the forefront of scientific and engineering innovation.

The Role
As a Senior Commercial Manager, you will provide strategic leadership across a portfolio of highly complex engineering programmes, leading commercial activity through procurement, contract management, supplier engagement and commercial governance.

Working within UKFE's Engineering Function, this role is focused on supporting highly technical programmes rather than traditional construction delivery. You'll work alongside programme leaders, engineers, technical specialists and procurement professionals to ensure commercial arrangements support programme objectives, manage risk effectively and deliver long-term value.

You will lead teams of Programme Commercial Managers and Commercial Managers, helping develop commercial capability while providing oversight of strategic supplier relationships, sourcing decisions and complex commercial arrangements.

This is a highly visible leadership position requiring the ability to engage confidently with senior stakeholders, influence key decisions and provide commercial direction across multiple work streams.

Key Areas of Responsibility

• Leading commercial strategy across major engineering and technology programmes
• Managing and developing teams of Programme Commercial Managers and Commercial Managers
• Providing leadership on procurement strategy and sourcing decisions
• Overseeing complex supplier and contract portfolios
• Supporting strategic supplier relationship management
• Leading commercial negotiations and high-value contract discussions
• Providing governance, commercial assurance and risk oversight
• Driving value-for-money decision-making across programmes
• Supporting long-term supply chain and supplier development strategies
• Partnering with engineering, programme and technical leadership teams
• Advising senior stakeholders on commercial risk, opportunity and strategic decision-making
• Building commercial capability within a growing organisation

About YouWe're looking for a commercially astute leader who combines strong procurement expertise with outstanding contract management and stakeholder engagement skills.

You may currently be operating as a Senior Commercial Manager, Senior Procurement Manager, Commercial Lead, Head of Procurement, Category Lead or similar within a highly technical environment.
Most importantly, you'll be comfortable leading teams, influencing senior stakeholders and operating within complex engineering, scientific or innovation-led programmes.

You'll Ideally Bring:

• Significant experience in senior commercial, procurement or contract management positions
• Strong leadership experience with responsibility for developing and managing commercial teams
• Proven experience developing procurement strategies and commercial approaches
• Expertise in supplier relationship management and strategic sourcing
• Strong contract management and commercial negotiation capability
• Experience assessing and mitigating commercial and supply chain risks
• Strong governance, assurance and value-for-money experience
• Excellent stakeholder engagement and influencing skills
• Experience working within complex technical or engineering environments
• Degree-level qualification or equivalent professional experience
• MCIPS qualification, or progress towards professional accreditation, would be highly advantageous

Particularly Relevant Backgrounds
We are especially interested in individuals from:

• Engineering and advanced manufacturing
• Aerospace
• Defence
• Research and development organisations
• Scientific institutions
• Energy and technology businesses
• Innovation-led programmes
• Prototype or first-of-a-kind project environments
• Highly regulated procurement environments

Experience operating within technical organisations where procurement strategy, supplier management and contract management are central to programme success will be highly valued.

Why Join UKFE?

There are very few opportunities where your work can genuinely influence the future of global energy.
At UKFE, you'll join an organisation at a critical stage of its growth, helping build the commercial capability, supplier networks and procurement strategies required to deliver one of the UK's most significant long-term engineering programmes.

You'll work alongside some of the country's leading engineers, scientists and programme professionals while leading teams responsible for navigating complex commercial challenges in an environment where innovation, collaboration and strategic thinking are essential.

This is an opportunity to build something from the ground up, shape how the commercial function evolves and contribute to a programme with the potential to redefine energy generation for future generations.

Package

• £73,190 basic salary
• Additional £7,000 allowance for MCIPS-qualified professionals
• Corporate bonus scheme
• Outstanding defined benefit pension
• Hybrid working arrangement
• Minimum three days per week on site during the initial onboarding period, with greater flexibility thereafter
• Excellent long-term career development opportunities
• Opportunity to help shape one of the UK's most important engineering and innovation programmes

Apply

If you're looking for a senior commercial leadership role where you can shape procurement strategy, lead high-performing commercial teams and support the delivery of a world-changing engineering programme, we'd be delighted to hear from you.

Apply now or contact Will Taylor at Hays in Lincoln for a confidential discussion.

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