Company Overview
Company Description The UK Government has established UK Fusion Energy (UKFE) Ltd, a subsidiary of UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA), to lead the delivery of fusion energy through the design and construction of the Spherical Tokamak for Energy Production (STEP) prototype fusion plant. UKFE is building the company, attracting talent, engaging with industry and establishing a supply chain for the STEP prototype, which aims for first operations around 2040.
Benefits
- Outstanding defined benefit pension scheme.
- Corporate bonus scheme up to 7%.
- Relocation allowance where eligible.
- Flexible working options, including the right to request flexible working from the start of employment.
- Employee Assistance Programme and trained Mental Health First Aiders.
- Generous annual leave starting with 25 days, plus 3 days Christmas closure and 2.5 privilege days, and UK bank holidays.
- Wide range of career development opportunities.
- Vibrant inclusive culture.
- Full list of benefits available at https://careers.ukaea.uk/life-at-ukaea/employee-benefits/.
Salary & Location
Salary: £44,290. Role based at West Burton, Nottinghamshire. Onsite working expected 3 days each week.
Job Description
The Senior Buyer is a specialist responsible for procurement, sourcing strategy and commercial performance across major programmes, portfolios and high‑risk commercial environments.
Responsibilities
- Set commercial and sourcing strategies for major programmes and high‑value portfolios.
- Provide direction on procurement routes, commercial models, risk allocation and contracting approaches for novel, complex or nationally significant procurements.
- Shape long‑term category, supplier and market development strategies including resilience, innovation and social value.
- Act as delegated senior commercial authority for approvals, assurance and challenge across the procurement lifecycle.
- Ensure full compliance with PA23, delegated authorities, internal controls and external regulatory expectations.
- Support and implement negotiation of high‑value and precedent‑setting contracts across infrastructure, construction, supplier alliances, professional services and integrated delivery models.
- Oversee cost control, forecasting, financial risk exposure, change management, compensation events and claims strategy.
- Manage performance regimes, incentives and commercial remedies.
- Participate in commercial risk management, dispute avoidance, escalation and formal dispute resolution.
- Act as senior commercial representative with key delivery partners, strategic suppliers and external stakeholders.
- Build and sustain executive‑level supplier relationships, driving performance and continuous improvement.
- Provide trusted commercial counsel to executive leadership, programme sponsors, engineering leadership, finance, legal and assurance functions.
- Represent the organisation in external commercial forums, negotiations and assurance engagements.
- Set and maintain commercial governance standards across programmes and portfolios.
- Provide independent challenge and assurance on commercial strategies, business cases, procurement outcomes and contract changes.
- Own quality of commercial submissions to senior governance boards and executive decision forums.
- Lead responses to audit, assurance, regulatory scrutiny and external reviews.
- Drive improvements to commercial frameworks, tools, controls and reporting.
- Provide strategic guidance to Lead Buyers, Buyers and wider commercial professionals.
- Set functional priorities, allocate resources and manage capability to meet delivery demands.
- Champion professional standards, ethical procurement, continuous improvement and a positive inclusive team environment.
- Act as cultural ambassador and lead by example, demonstrating integrity, professionalism and ethical behaviour.
- Make informed decisions, solve problems and consider diverse perspectives and organisational goals.
Qualifications
- Extensive experience in senior commercial, procurement and contract leadership roles within large, complex or regulated environments.
- Proven track record of leading major programmes or portfolios with high commercial risk and material financial impact.
- Deep applied expertise in public sector procurement legislation (PA23), governance and assurance.
- Demonstrated ability to operate as a senior commercial decision‑maker and influence outcomes at executive level.
- Exceptional leadership, judgement, negotiation and stakeholder management capability.
- Studying towards or willing to work towards membership of MCIPS or equivalent commercial accreditation.
- Experience shaping organisational commercial policy and operating models.
- Advanced expertise in NEC and other complex contracting forms.
- Experience working with or advising executive boards and senior governance bodies.
Additional Information
We welcome applications from under‑represented groups, particularly women in STEM, people of British black and other ethnic minority backgrounds and people with disabilities. Our Executive team, supported by an Equality, Diversity and Inclusion partner and inclusion ambassadors, actively promotes EDI and removes barriers to success.
Applicants may be required to complete an online Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) and Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) checks. An SC Clearance may be required in the future; current holders can transfer clearance to UKFE.
For overseas applicants, please consult https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/criminal-records-checks-for-overseas-applicants for information on criminal record checks.
To receive help with the application process, interview or information, email [emailprotected] if you require assistance or adjustments.
Contact
Email: [emailprotected]
