Commercial Specialist

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 and the right to request flexible working from the start of your employment.
• Employee Assistance Programme and trained Mental Health First Aiders.
• Generous annual leave allowance starting with 25 days, plus 3 days Christmas closure and 2.5 privilege days, in addition to UK bank holidays.
• A vibrant culture committed to equality and being fully inclusive .

Job Description

The salary for this role is £37,509 . Onsite working is expected for 3 days a week , however, we actively support requests for flexible working.

Please note, there are three vacancies available as part of this advert. Two of the roles will be based at our Culham, Oxfordshire site, and one will be based at our Whitehaven, Cumbria site.

This role requires employees to complete an online Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) , including The Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) checks for criminal convictions and possibly a search of open source data.

The Role

Are you looking for an exciting opportunity to make a difference? Join our team and contribute to the future of fusion energy. As Commercial Specialist , you will play a pivotal role in providing a commercial procurement service to a variety of UKAEA customers and provide commercial support to the Fusion Futures Industry Capability Programme. You will support the contract management process and Contract Project Managers (CPM) with procurements from market engagement to contract completion, providing commercial support to contract project managers and other commercial roles within the team. In addition, you will also provide leadership and management on the tender process and assessment panels, debriefing supply chain and other procurement professionals on the tender process and how we can comply to continuous improvement.

Key Accountabilities :

• Monitor and maintain procurement databases, organise training within the procurement team on the E-Tendering portal and provide support with any ongoing issues.
• Provide advice to Project Managers on contractual strategies.
• Contribute to problem solving and decision making.
• Lead the contract management process and contract project manager (CPM) from tender through to closure on projects up to £1m of all complexities. This will include evaluation of bids, ensuring that value for money is always obtained, negotiation of appropriate commercial agreements, resolving claims and disputes.
• Manage / lead in giving advice, coaching / delivery of training on commercial matters across the team.
• Contribute to the evolution of the Authority’s commercial terms and conditions, policies and working practices.
• Manage own development towards building knowledge and skills and be open to advice on how methods could be improved.
• Manage the development and design of simple systems / processes to support procurement delivery, using own initiative. Carry out routine analysis. Validate data input by others.
• Work independently in accordance with UKAEA Procurement processes and procedures.
• Lead and provide guidance in meetings with internal and external stakeholders, such as clarification of scope or market engagement events with suppliers or meeting with internal stakeholders to understand their needs or update them on progress.
• Provide mentoring and support to Procurement Apprentices and Graduates.

Qualifications

• CIPS Level 4 diploma, or currently / committed to working towards MCIPS.
• Experience of working in Public Sector procurement.
• Understanding of how Public Procurement Regulations apply to the organisations, with an understanding of the new Procurement Act (Feb'25).
• Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal skills for interacting with people at all levels.
• Team player with the ability to deputise for more senior colleagues.
• Ability to adapt to various situations with experience of a variety of procurement categories with excellent attention to detail.
• Confident in using commercial information to support decision-making, achieve value for money, and create savings across the organisation.
• Experience in negotiations and understanding of the NEC Model form contracts.
• Ability to manage and lead tender discussions and assessment panels.
• Use of e-procurement portals and electronic contract management systems and be able to provide training and ongoing support to the procurement team.
• Willingness to take on management responsibilities and support Commercial Procurement Graduates.

We welcome talented people from all backgrounds who want to help us achieve our mission. We encourage applications from under-represented groups, particularly from women in STEM, people from Black British Caribbean and African, Pakistani and Bangladeshi British, and other ethnic minority backgrounds, people with disabilities, and neurotypical individuals. Our Executive team, supported by our 'Head of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion' (EDI) and Wellbeing and our EDI Networks actively promote Inclusion and takes steps to increase diversity within our organisation. 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.

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