MANAGER, CHIEF COMMERCIAL OFFICER

Commercial Manager to support the development of the commercial strategy and procurement for the Operational Capability element of its SMR Programme, which is fundamental to the long term delivery of the SMR Project. The “Operator” is required to enable the safe and effective running of the Nuclear Power Station once built.

The Commercial Manager will be responsible for working collaboratively with key stakeholders to identify an appropriate packaging, sourcing and commercial strategy for delivering this complex, strategically important and multi-functional scope of capability. We are looking for an individual with experience in developing commercial and financial models to incentivise performance in a large scale multi-disciplinary programme. Experience in Public Sector Procurement is seen as highly desirable.

The Commercial Manager will sit within our clients Commercial Directorate and report to the Senior Commercial Lead. The Commercial Manager will be responsible for supporting the development of the commercial strategy, managing the delivery of one or multiple procurements for complex, high value Operational delivery contracts value in the hundreds of millions. The successful candidate will have line management responsibilities and shall be responsible for setting task delivery of commercial and procurement related activity carried out by the Assistant Commercial Manager.

The ideal candidate will be self-motivated and have experience in supporting commercial activity to large scale construction and engineering programmes. Team working, collaboration and effective project management will be key to delivering this role.

Accountabilities & Responsibilities

The Commercial Manager will be responsible for delivery of commercial and procurement activity to support development of our clients operational capability. This will include but is not limited to responsibility for:

• Managing procurement and commercial activity across the full commercial lifecycle from strategy through to contract award in conjunction with business stakeholders.
• Working collaboratively with other stakeholders and functions including colleagues in Finance, Programme Management Office (PMO), Legal and Technical to provide a seamless service offering.
• Overseeing the task related activity carried out by the Assistant Commercial Manager in relation to delivery of the procurement and commercial strategy (e.g. – ITT / Pricing Model / Negotiation Plan/ contract development).
• Managing external contractors and consultants – ensuring budgets are managed appropriately.
• Overseeing the approvals process and Business Case process (requisition, financial and commercial approval).

Principal Responsibilities

Commercial and Procurement Strategy ~ The Commercial Manager will be responsible for the development and implementation of commercial and procurement strategies within its portfolio. This will include supporting Delivery Model Assessments and commercial strategy development. The Commercial Manager will ensure appropriate commercial mechanisms (e.g. payment mechanisms relevant to the delivery of major complex critical infrastructure programmes) are designed to deliver Value for Money (VfM) and meet the strategic aims of the Programme. The Commercial Manager will be responsible for the identification of the approach our client will take to procure the outsourced components required to deliver the procurement, including but not limited to being responsible for defining the procurement objectives, the routes to market and lotting strategy, market engagement activity and the evaluation strategy. The Commercial Manager will use their experience to show awareness and appreciation of in life contract management during the strategy phase development.

Commercial Assurance and Governance ~ The Commercial Manager will be responsible for ensuring assurance and governance activities across the commercial lifecycle are undertaken. This may include responsibility for ensuring the Assistant Commercial Manager has followed commercial policy in the completion of commercial activity, any operational and risk management reviews as well as leading the support for any internal and/or external audits. It is expected the Commercial Manager will lead drafting of business case and other strategic documents for approvals.

Market Analysis and Commercial Intelligence ~ The Commercial Manager will be responsible for leading market analysis of key supplier markets to understand the key characteristics of the nuclear and related marketplaces to ensure adequate competition exists to continue to drive value for money. This may also include delivering an assessment of the business needs together with supply market analysis to assist in advising an appropriate market engagement approach.

Procurement Process and Negotiation ~ The Commercial Manager will use their procurement and negotiation experience to deliver all stages and tasks of the procurement process under tight timescales from tender initiation to contract award and supplier mobilisation. This would also include drafting the Invitation to Tender (ITT), contract and schedules as well as contract sign off and outcome letters/assessment summaries. All stages will be managed through the appropriate GBE-N governance processes which the Commercial Manager will be responsible for managing.

Knowledge, Skills and Experience Required

Competencies ~ Competencies are important for the job holder and our client to deliver the desired results. The following competencies and skills are required:

• Managing and planning for the delivery of results under tight timelines.
• Supporting a culture that builds trust, integrity and values diversity and expertise.
• Working and adapting with stakeholders at all levels.
• Communicating with impact and challenging respectfully.
• Being thoughtful, inclusive and respectful to others.
• Being curious and working constructively with team members and stakeholders to get activity completed.
• Influencing stakeholders and/or suppliers to support commercial solutions in a complex commercial environment.

Professional Competencies ~ Relevant experience in a nuclear, construction, engineering, and/or critical infrastructure programme (Essential). Experience of delivering commercial and procurement activity (Desirable). Extensive experience of supporting the delivery of commercial, procurement and contract management activity whilst adhering to Government processes and requirements (Essential). Experience in overseeing project cost estimation and development of appropriate costs and pricing strategies. Experience of large-scale negotiations and deals. Proven ability to be assertive, whilst maintaining strong supplier and stakeholder relationships (Desirable). Proven skills and experience in business case development and working with multiple stakeholders (Essential). Strong personal organisational skills, including time management, and ability to meet deadlines and work under pressure within an agile environment (Essential). Experience task managing team members (Essential). Experience of navigating commercial and procurement activity within the Government Commercial Agency (GCA – (previously known as CCS)), e.g. assessing at pace GCA frameworks as potential routes to market (Desirable). Extensive experience of working within Public Sector Procurements (PCR and Procurement Act) (Desirable). Experience of working in a challenging, fast paced environment, managing competing priorities and delivering to tight deadlines.