£44,290 + Bonus + Outstanding Defined Benefit Pension
Hybrid Working | Minimum 3 Days Per Week On Site
Help Build The Commercial Foundations Of The UK's Fusion Energy Future
UK Fusion Energy (UKFE) is delivering STEP, the programme established to create the world's first prototype fusion power plant. Bringing together government, industry and world-leading expertise, the programme is laying the foundations for a future fusion energy sector in the UK. As UKFE continues to grow, procurement plays a critical role in ensuring the right suppliers, partnerships and commercial frameworks are in place to support delivery. This is an opportunity to join at a formative stage and influence how a nationally significant programme engages with the market, manages commercial risk and develops its supply chain strategy.
The Role
Working as part of UKFE's Commercial Function, you'll support complex procurement activity across a diverse portfolio of requirements, helping shape sourcing strategies, engage the market and deliver robust commercial outcomes.
This is far more than a transactional buying role.
You'll work with senior stakeholders across the organisation, helping to navigate commercial challenges, support strategic decision-making and ensure procurement activity is delivered within a robust governance framework.
Responsibilities will include:
Leading complex procurement and sourcing activities
Developing procurement and category strategies
Managing supplier engagement and market interactions
Supporting major commercial and procurement decisions
Ensuring compliance with Procurement Act 2023 and associated governance requirements
Building effective relationships across internal and external stakeholder groups
Supporting commercial assurance and procurement best practice
Contributing to the development of supplier and partnership strategies
Managing procurement risk within a complex programme environment
What We're Looking For
We're interested in procurement professionals who combine strong commercial judgement with the ability to influence stakeholders and operate effectively within a complex, highly regulated environment.
You will be able to demonstrate:
Significant experience within procurement, commercial or contract management roles
Experience supporting major programmes, portfolios or complex procurement activities
Strong understanding of Procurement Act 2023 (PA23), governance and assurance requirements
The ability to influence stakeholders and support strategic decision-making
Strong negotiation, communication and relationship-building capability
Experience managing commercial risk and balancing competing priorities
Confidence in operating in environments characterised by complexity and continual change
Professional accreditation such as CIPS, or a commitment to working towards a recognised commercial qualification, would be advantageous.
Backgrounds That Could Be Relevant
We would particularly welcome applications from individuals with experience in:
Public Sector
Nuclear
Defence
Energy
Utilities
Engineering
Infrastructure
Transport
Aerospace
Other regulated industries
Typical job titles may include:
Senior Buyer
Procurement Manager
Senior Procurement Manager
Category Manager
Strategic Sourcing Lead
Procurement Business Partner
Commercial & Procurement Manager
Procurement Lead
Why Join UKFE?
The most exciting part of this opportunity isn't where the programme is today. It's where it's going. The procurement strategies, commercial frameworks and supplier relationships being established now will help shape the future direction of the programme for years to come.
Joining at this stage provides a rare opportunity to influence a nationally significant programme whilst building your own career within an organisation expected to grow substantially as STEP progresses. Alongside a highly competitive package and outstanding pension scheme, you'll gain exposure to complex procurement challenges, strategic commercial decision-making and one of the most ambitious programmes currently underway in the UK. Above all, you'll be helping build the partnerships and supply chains that could support the future of fusion energy.
Package
£44,290 basic salary
Corporate bonus scheme
Outstanding defined benefit pension
Hybrid working arrangement
Excellent long-term career progression opportunities
Interested?
If you're looking for a procurement role with genuine purpose, strategic influence and the opportunity to contribute to something truly significant, I'd be delighted to tell you more.
Contact Will Taylor at Hays in Lincoln for a confidential discussion and full briefing on the role, team and future opportunities within UK Fusion Energy.
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Salary description
£44290.00 - £44290.00 per year