Company Description

By 2050, the planet could be using twice as much electricity compared to today. Are you interested in contributing and helping to shape the future of the world’s energy? If so, read on.

Fusion, the process that powers the Sun and Stars, is one of the most promising options for generating the cleaner, carbon-free energy that our world badly needs.

UKAEA leads the way in realizing fusion energy, partnering with industry and research for ground breaking advancements. Our goal is to bring fusion electricity to the grid, supported by tomorrow's power stations. In pursuit of our mission, UKAEA embraces core values: Innovative, Committed, Trusted, and Collaborative."

As an employee of UKAEA you will benefit from:

• Outstanding defined benefit pension scheme, details of which can be found at the end of this advert.
• Corporate bonus scheme up to 7% and a Relocation allowance (if eligible).
• Flexible working options including family friendly policies.
• Employee Assistance Programme and trained Mental Health First Aiders, 
• Emergency paid leave, Generous annual leave allowance (30.5 days) increased with length of service,
• Wide range of career development opportunities
• A vibrant culture committed to being fully inclusive

This role requires employees to complete an online Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) including The Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) checks for criminal convictions.

Job Description

Are you looking for an exciting opportunity to make a difference? Join our team and contribute to the future of fusion energy. As STEP Strategic Supplier Relationship Manager, you will play a pivotal role in and will be directly responsible for managing a range of strategic suppliers to the STEP programme and ensuring that supplier performance delivers best value to United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) and UK Industrial Fusion Solutions Ltd. (UKIFS).The post holder will be responsible for delivering the contract management and supplier relationship management strategies for UKIFS. There will also be an element of overseeing any remaining sourcing activity, including compliance when it is operational. There will also be an element of overseeing any remaining sourcing activity, including compliance to UKAEA and government policy and Public Contracts Regulations 2015 (PCR 2015). The post holder will be required to collaborate with the UKAEA Supply Chain team to ensure that developed Supplier Relationship Management (SRM) best practice is implemented where appropriate. They will also represent STEP / UKIFS at the Cabinet Office communities of practice for supplier relationship management and liaise with the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero commercial team. They will initially be responsible for a small number of direct reports; however the number of direct reports is likely to increase when the role transfers into UKIFS. The post holder will however be required to monitor and manage the performance of c. 9 consultants.

The post holder will be required to complete the Government Commercial Function Contract Management Training to Expert level within the first 12 months of appointment.

Additional Responsibilities:

• Responsible for negotiating with the relevant parties including external companies to arrive at appropriate commercial agreements.
• Ensuring delivery of contracts to time, cost and quality.
• Lead supplier negotiations for work package placement.
• Review and approve cost breakdowns and approve the placement of work packages.
• Lead regular meetings with suppliers to discuss and review supplier performance and drive innovation.
• Lead effective stakeholder management to ensure buy in with the contract management strategy for STEP partner contracts.
• Holding suppliers to account to ensure they meet their obligations under the contract.
• Evaluation of reports and deliverables to ensure project and commercial compliance with the contract and approver of related invoice payment.
• Provide key reports and support effective governance and decision making.
• Advisor to programme executive and programme board on contractual performance and risk management.

Qualifications

Essential Requirements:

• The post holder will be required to complete the Government Commercial Function Contract Management Training to Expert level within the first 12 months of appointment.
• Demonstrable expertise and experience to act as the lead expert for Supplier Relationship Management.
• Deep understanding of contractual and financial management principles.
• A dynamic and inspirational leader who can motivate others effectively.
• Highly collaborative with the ability to   foster excellent working relationships and practices that enable various internal stakeholders to meet their goals and objectives.
• Qualified member of the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply (CIPS)
• Good negotiation skills with some understanding of NEC form of Contract and Commercially astute.
• Ability to influence various stakeholders.
• Good procurement strategic knowledge and experience.
• Experience of Public Sector Procurement and understanding of Official Journal of the European Union (OJEU).
• Demonstrable experience in Contract Management.

Additional Information

A full list of our benefits can be found here https://careers.ukaea.uk/life-at-ukaea/employee-benefits/

We welcome applications from under-represented groups, particularly individuals from black and other ethnic minority backgrounds, people with disabilities, and women. Our Executive team, supported by our 'Equality, Diversity and Inclusion' (EDI) Partner and Inclusion Ambassadors, actively promotes EDI and takes steps to increase diversity within our organization. We reinforce best practices in recruitment and selection and evaluate approaches to remove barriers to success.

Please note that vacancies are generally advertised for 4 weeks but may close earlier if we receive a large number of applications.

For applicants applying from outside the United Kingdom or those who have spent time outside the UK in the last five years, please visit the following link for information on criminal records checks: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/criminal-records-checks-for-overseas-applicants If your country of residence or previous residence is not listed on the website or if the UK Government does not have information on obtaining a criminal records check from that state, we regret to inform you that we cannot process your application.