Senior Commercial Manager

Senior Commercial Manager - Procurement, Contracts & Commercial Strategy

UK Fusion Energy (UKFE) | STEP Programme | West Burton, Nottinghamshire

Lead the commercial function behind one of the world's most ambitious engineering and technology programmes.Fusion energy has the potential to transform how the world is powered. Through the STEP Programme, UK Fusion Energy (UKFE) is bringing together leading scientists, engineers and commercial professionals to help deliver the world's first prototype fusion power plant.

As UKFE continues to grow, Senior Commercial Managers will play a critical leadership role in developing the commercial strategy, procurement approach and supplier partnerships that will support the successful delivery of this pioneering programme.This is a rare opportunity to join at a formative stage, build and lead commercial teams, influence major strategic decisions and help establish the commercial foundations of an organisation at the forefront of scientific and engineering innovation.

The Role
As a Senior Commercial Manager, you will provide strategic leadership across a portfolio of highly complex engineering programmes, leading commercial activity through procurement, contract management, supplier engagement and commercial governance.

Working within UKFE's Engineering Function, this role is focused on supporting highly technical programmes rather than traditional construction delivery. You'll work alongside programme leaders, engineers, technical specialists and procurement professionals to ensure commercial arrangements support programme objectives, manage risk effectively and deliver long-term value.

You will lead teams of Programme Commercial Managers and Commercial Managers, helping develop commercial capability while providing oversight of strategic supplier relationships, sourcing decisions and complex commercial arrangements.

This is a highly visible leadership position requiring the ability to engage confidently with senior stakeholders, influence key decisions and provide commercial direction across multiple work streams.

Key Areas of Responsibility

Leading commercial strategy across major engineering and technology programmes
Managing and developing teams of Programme Commercial Managers and Commercial Managers
Providing leadership on procurement strategy and sourcing decisions
Overseeing complex supplier and contract portfolios
Supporting strategic supplier relationship management
Leading commercial negotiations and high-value contract discussions
Providing governance, commercial assurance and risk oversight
Driving value-for-money decision-making across programmes
Supporting long-term supply chain and supplier development strategies
Partnering with engineering, programme and technical leadership teams
Advising senior stakeholders on commercial risk, opportunity and strategic decision-making
Building commercial capability within a growing organisation
About YouWe're looking for a commercially astute leader who combines strong procurement expertise with outstanding contract management and stakeholder engagement skills.

You may currently be operating as a Senior Commercial Manager, Senior Procurement Manager, Commercial Lead, Head of Procurement, Category Lead or similar within a highly technical environment.
Most importantly, you'll be comfortable leading teams, influencing senior stakeholders and operating within complex engineering, scientific or innovation-led programmes.

You'll Ideally Bring:

Significant experience in senior commercial, procurement or contract management positions
Strong leadership experience with responsibility for developing and managing commercial teams
Proven experience developing procurement strategies and commercial approaches
Expertise in supplier relationship management and strategic sourcing
Strong contract management and commercial negotiation capability
Experience assessing and mitigating commercial and supply chain risks
Strong governance, assurance and value-for-money experience
Excellent stakeholder engagement and influencing skills
Experience working within complex technical or engineering environments
Degree-level qualification or equivalent professional experience
MCIPS qualification, or progress towards professional accreditation, would be highly advantageous
Particularly Relevant Backgrounds
We are especially interested in individuals from:

Engineering and advanced manufacturing
Aerospace
Defence
Research and development organisations
Scientific institutions
Energy and technology businesses
Innovation-led programmes
Prototype or first-of-a-kind project environments
Highly regulated procurement environments
Experience operating within technical organisations where procurement strategy, supplier management and contract management are central to programme success will be highly valued.

Why Join UKFE?

There are very few opportunities where your work can genuinely influence the future of global energy.
At UKFE, you'll join an organisation at a critical stage of its growth, helping build the commercial capability, supplier networks and procurement strategies required to deliver one of the UK's most significant long-term engineering programmes.

You'll work alongside some of the country's leading engineers, scientists and programme professionals while leading teams responsible for navigating complex commercial challenges in an environment where innovation, collaboration and strategic thinking are essential.

This is an opportunity to build something from the ground up, shape how the commercial function evolves and contribute to a programme with the potential to redefine energy generation for future generations.

Package

£73,190 basic salary
Additional £7,000 allowance for MCIPS-qualified professionals
Corporate bonus scheme
Outstanding defined benefit pension
Hybrid working arrangement
Minimum three days per week on site during the initial onboarding period, with greater flexibility thereafter
Excellent long-term career development opportunities
Opportunity to help shape one of the UK's most important engineering and innovation programmes
Apply

If you're looking for a senior commercial leadership role where you can shape procurement strategy, lead high-performing commercial teams and support the delivery of a world-changing engineering programme, we'd be delighted to hear from you.

Apply now or contact Will Taylor at Hays in Lincoln for a confidential discussion.

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