Category Manager - Professional Services

Sizewell C's business is to design, finance, construct, commission, operate, maintain, and eventually decommission the nuclear power plant and related infrastructure at Sizewell C in Suffolk. Overall, whilst the Company is in the construction phase, the Boards' principal focus is on the development and construction of Sizewell C on time, on budget and to the highest quality and safety standards. The Company is maturing to meet all these requirements.

Sizewell C is economically regulated by OFGEM under the Regulated Asset Base (RAB) model similar to other UK electricity distribution networks and Thames Tideway. Sizewell C construction strategy is to replicate the design of Hinkley Point C, using the majority of the same supply chain, but innovating in the way it is delivered to achieve savings in time and cost of around 20%. The CCO will need to be guided by and incorporate lessons learned from the Hinkley Point C commercial delivery to achieve Sizewell C's ambition.

Following Financial Completion and Revenue Commencement, Sizewell C is fully funded and is owned by; The Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero representing HM Government, La Caisse, Centrica, EDF and Amber Infrastructure. Sizewell C is entering an exciting phase of growth as we mature into an independent organisation and continue building one of the UK's largest and most important energy projects.

Location: London, Bristol, Manchester, Suffolk, on a hybrid basis with periodic travel to Suffolk

Contract: Permanent, full-time.

Closing Date: Friday 8th May 2026

What's in It for You

• Salary: Starting £65,000, depending on experience
• Bonus: 5% annual incentive
• Pension: Up to 7.5% employee / 15% employer contribution
• Leave: 28 days holiday plus bank holidays

Reporting to the Head of Procurement Practice & Indirects, you will operate within delegated authority to make commercial decisions across assigned categories. As the Category Manager for Professional Services, you will work proactively with stakeholders at all levels of the organisation to ensure business requirements are met through effective category strategy and contract delivery. You will also take day to day responsibility for managing and developing Procurement colleagues within your category, supporting their growth and progression.

Your Impact

The Category Manager - Professional Services plays a critical role within the SZC Supply Chain Group, with primary responsibility for developing and delivering procurement strategies across the Professional Services spend category, alongside additional indirect categories such as Finance, Legal, and Insurance. This role is central to ensuring SZC secures commercially robust, compliant, and value driven contracts that support one of the UK's most significant infrastructure programmes. You will lead complex procurement activity, act as a trusted commercial advisor to senior stakeholders, and develop capability across the Procurement function.

Key Responsibilities

• Category Strategy & Commercial Leadership
  • Develop and deliver multi year category strategies aligned to business needs, SZC values, and governance requirements
  • Analyse spending data, market intelligence, trends, and innovation to inform strategic and tactical decision making
  • Lead complex, end to end procurement and tender activities from inception through to contract execution and implementation
• Procurement Delivery & Governance
  • Deliver robust, compliant ITTs, including evaluation, negotiation, and contract award
  • Compete within frameworks and negotiate Statements of Work / Work Orders
  • Ensure all procurement activity complies with SZC governance, regulation, and best practice procurement standards
  • Secure internal approvals to enable timely contract execution
• Contract & Supplier Management
  • Lead commercial and contractual management across the Professional Services category
  • Oversee contract administration including variations, claims, payments, risk, liabilities, and performance
  • Interface closely with Legal on contractual terms and NDAs
  • Implement reporting, dashboards, and periodic commercial reviews
  • Manage supplier and contractor relationships to maximise value and minimise risk
• Stakeholder Engagement & Collaboration
  • Build strong relationships and act as a trusted commercial advisor to senior stakeholders
  • Work collaboratively across functions to achieve balanced, win win commercial outcomes
  • Lead by example in promoting collaborative behaviours and early commercial resolution
• People Leadership & Development
  • Manage and support Assistant Category Manager and Category Assistant
  • Develop team capability, providing opportunities for growth and progression
  • Support the wider Procurement function as required

Knowledge, Skills, Qualifications & Experience

• MCIPS accredited or educated to relevant degree level is preferable.
• Effective commercial / contract management skills are essential, with clear knowledge of best practice contract methodologies.
• Able to demonstrate a noteworthy track record of administering successful contracts.
• Excellent commercial skills and ability to make sound decisions on both matters of financial value and service quality.
• Understanding of contract performance measurement, risk management and change.
• Excellent negotiating, influencing and communication skills to command professional respect at all levels.
• Proven experience in developing and leading Professional Services category, whilst ensuring compliance with company governance, UK Law and EU legislation/regulation.
• Experienced in digesting and interpreting contractual information.
• Familiar with the nuclear site licence conditions and the nuclear baseline philosophy would be advantageous but not essential.

Behavioural Competences

• Humility Recognise the value brought from different cultures and experiences. Be open to other's points of view and ideas, be willing to debate and to compromise.
• Positivity Positively challenge poor quality and performance. Identify solutions at the lowest possible level. Encourage others to bring new ideas forward.
• Respect Value the rules and environment in which we operate. Give and receive feedback with respect. Embrace and engage with new people and ideas.
• Solidarity One team, working closely together and helping each other. Empowered teams always looking forward. Shared responsibility for delivery the project outcomes.
• Clarity Communicate clearly and consistently. Promote collaboration and team alignment. Clearer and faster decision making. Drive simplification at all levels.

To be appointed to this role, you will need to meet the criteria for Security Vetting, which will, ordinarily, require you to have been a resident of the UK for at least three of the past five years. At Sizewell C we encourage and embrace diversity and how it can improve our experience and performance at work. It is a requirement that those who join us have the right to work in the UK. Whilst sponsorship may be a possibility that we can explore, we are fully committed to local recruitment where possible, and those already holding the right to work in the UK.