Head of Supply Chain Assurance

Company Description

The UK Government has established UK Fusion Energy (UKFE) Ltd., a subsidiary of UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA), to lead the charge in delivering fusion energy through design and delivery of the Spherical Tokamak for Energy Production (STEP) prototype fusion plant. UKFE is establishing itself, setting up the company, attracting talent, engaging with industry, developing a supply chain, and planning and constructing the STEP prototype. Fusion energy, crucial for combating climate change and ensuring energy independence, is expected to be commercially viable by mid‑century. The UK, led by UKFE, aims for a prototype fusion plant, targeting first operations around 2040. UKFE will lead delivery, collaborating with industrial partners and building a fusion supply chain with an estimated global sector value of £7tn per year. Join UKFE and the STEP programme to be involved in this ground‑breaking journey. Onsite working is expected for 3 days each week; flexible working is supported. The role will be based at West Burton, Nottinghamshire.

Benefits

• Outstanding defined benefit pension scheme, details at the end of this advert.
• Corporate bonus scheme up to 7% and a relocation allowance (if eligible).
• Flexible working options including family friendly policies and the right to request flexible working from the start of employment.
• Employee Assistance Programme and trained Mental Health First Aiders.
• Generous annual leave allowance starting with 25 days, plus 3 days Christmas closure and 2.5 privilege days, in addition to UK bank holidays.
• Wide range of career development opportunities.
• A vibrant culture committed to being fully inclusive.

The Role

Reporting to the Director of Safety, Quality & Mission Assurance, you will be accountable for the strategic design and operational delivery of UKFE’s Supply Chain Assurance framework across the full project lifecycle. You will provide senior leadership and oversight to ensure that Tier 1, 2, and 3 suppliers consistently deliver to nuclear safety, quality, environmental, and security requirements. From early design through off‑site manufacture, construction, installation, testing, and final handover, your role will be central to identifying and mitigating supply‑chain risk before it impacts safety, cost, schedule, or regulatory confidence. This role is pivotal to maintaining UKFE’s Intelligent Customer capability, supporting regulatory assurance, and strengthening long‑term supply chain resilience for fusion delivery.

Supply Chain Assurance Strategy & Governance

• Own and evolve the enterprise‑wide Supply Chain Assurance Strategy, aligned to the nuclear safety case, programme maturity, and regulatory expectations.
• Act as the single point of accountability for supply chain assurance policy, standards, and governance across UKFE, partners, and suppliers.
• Provide authoritative challenge where supply chain risk exceeds acceptable nuclear, safety, or delivery tolerances.
• Set assurance expectations early in procurement and contracting to prevent late‑stage quality or delivery risk.

Supplier Audit, Assessment & Oversight

• Lead a team of assessors and auditors conducting technical, quality, and nuclear safety culture audits across the supply base.
• Define audit philosophy, scope, depth, and prioritisation based on supplier criticality and risk.
• Oversee audits of complex, global suppliers, commissioning specialist assurance where required.
• Ensure audit outcomes drive meaningful, measurable improvements in supplier capability.

Supply Chain Risk Identification & Mitigation

• Identify single points of failure and systemic risks within multi‑tier supply chains.
• Lead strategic interventions to address supplier fragility, capability gaps, or over‑reliance on key vendors.
• Provide early warning and escalation of emerging risks that could affect nuclear safety or programme credibility.
• Support executive decision‑making with clear options, trade‑offs, and consequences.

Supplier Development & Continuous Improvement

• Work closely with Commercial and Procurement teams to onboard and develop non‑nuclear‑ready suppliers.
• Sponsor supplier capability development to meet nuclear quality and safety expectations.
• Use audit intelligence, learning from experience, and data analytics to drive targeted improvement.
• Balance rigorous assurance with supplier development to support innovation without compromising standards.

Regulatory & Stakeholder Assurance

• Act as a senior assurance interface for regulators on supply chain integrity and Intelligent Customer responsibilities.
• Provide credible, auditable evidence to support regulatory inspections, reviews, and interventions.
• Build regulator confidence through transparency, consistency, and timely escalation of issues.
• Influence internal stakeholders on regulatory expectations and consequences of supply chain failure.

Leadership & Culture

• Build and lead a high‑performing supply chain assurance team.
• Foster a values‑led, inclusive culture grounded in professionalism, integrity, and learning.
• Lead by example and act as a cultural ambassador for UKFE.

Qualifications

What You’ll Bring

• You will be a highly experienced supply chain or quality assurance leader with deep expertise in operating within regulated, safety‑critical environments.
• You bring strong systems thinking, sound judgement, and the confidence to challenge delivery pressures where nuclear safety, quality, or regulatory credibility could be compromised.
• Comfortable working across complex, multi‑tier supply chains, you are equally adept at rigorous assurance and developing supplier capability.
• Experience supporting nuclear or equivalent mega‑projects and engaging regulators with credibility will be key to your success in this role.

Essential

• Significant experience in supply chain or quality roles within regulated industries (e.g. nuclear, aerospace, oil & gas).
• Experience supporting Nuclear New Build or equivalent mega‑project environments.
• Degree in Engineering, Supply Chain, or Quality Management.
• Chartered status (e.g. CQP (CQI), MCIPS, CEng).
• Deep knowledge of ISO 9001 and ISO 19443 (Nuclear Quality).
• Understanding of ISO 14001 and ISO 45001 within nuclear infrastructure contexts.
• Ability to obtain high‑level security clearance (SC/DV); existing clearance desirable.

Desirable

• Familiarity with ASME NQA‑1 or equivalent nuclear standards.
• Experience working with global, multi‑tier supply chains.
• Strong capability in supplier performance analytics and assurance tools.
• Experience supporting regulatory audits and inspections.

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion

We welcome applications from under‑represented groups, particularly women in STEM and individuals from British black and ethnic minority backgrounds, and individuals with disabilities. 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 organisation. We reinforce best practices in recruitment and selection and evaluate approaches to remove barriers to success.

Accessibility

UKFE is committed to being accessible. Please email talent@ukfe.uk if you have any questions or require help or adjustments to compete on a fair basis, for example, changes to the way we interview or share information.

Security

This role requires employees to complete an online Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS), including the Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) checks for criminal convictions. There is a possibility of an SC clearance being required in the future. If a candidate already holds an SC clearance, that clearance can be transferred to UKFE.

Behaviour Framework

• We champion safety
• We all matter
• We act as one
• We embrace change
• We are pioneering
• We deliver