Strategic Procurement Policy Manager

UKAEA’s pay arrangements and grading structure are currently under review as part of a transformation project and proposed multi-year pay deal. UKAEA aims to introduce a new grading structure in 2024. This will enable us to lead the delivery of sustainable fusion energy and maximise the scientific and economic benefit. Now is a great time to join the Organisation and be part of the journey.

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

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 Strategic Procurement Policy Manager , you will play be reporting to the Head of Procurement, oversees 2 direct reports and holds primary responsibility for guiding, advising, and representing the Authority on procurement policy and compliance. Key duties include:

1. Defining procurement policy aligned with UK Government guidelines, including Cabinet Office and PPN requirements.
2. Representing UKAEA at BEIS Policy and Cabinet Office meetings.
3. Ensuring UKAEA's compliance with the Public Contract Regulations 2015 across all projects and procurement activities.
4. Engaging with the Cabinet Office on Government Functional Standard 008 – CCIAF.

Additionally, the role actively leads the team and collaborates with strategic leads to ensure project alignment with Government policy.

Additional Responsibilities:

• Lead Procurement service delivery aligned with strategy, standards, and legislation, fostering stakeholder relationships.
• Ensure UKAEA meets Government Commercial Functional standards, overseeing compliance.
• Advise on Cabinet Office controls, embedding policies into team practices.
• Integrate policy best practices into Procurement tools and documents.
• Address trends and legislation, collaborating with Managers to incorporate changes.
• Foster effective communication, resolve conflicts, and manage BEIS Policy issues.

Essential Requirements:

• Essential Criteria.
• MCIPS qualified.
• Detailed knowledge of Public Sector Procurement. 
• Experience of managing procurement governance to ensure compliance with Cabinet Office Guidance .
• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Ability to negotiate at the highest levels.
• Commercially astute and customer focused.
• Clear understanding of NEC form of Contract.
• Possess strong verbal and written communication skills with ability to influence at senior levels
• Relevant expertise and experience to act as the lead expert for complex/critical Procurement and Commercial issues and influence both internal and external stakeholders.
• Knowledge of Cabinet Office Controls processes and Government Functional Standards.
• Dynamic and inspirational leader.

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.