At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead strategic sourcing and category management for a major nuclear project.
- Company: Join Sizewell C, a key player in the UK's energy sector.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, bonus, pension contributions, and flexible benefits.
- Other info: Exciting growth phase with opportunities for professional development.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on sustainable energy while developing your career.
- Qualifications: Experience in strategic sourcing and strong stakeholder communication skills required.
The predicted salary is between 65000 - 80000 £ per year.
Venesky Brown Recruitment are looking for a Strategic Sourcing Manager to join the team at Sizewell C in London/Suffolk. This permanent role can be based in a variety of offices around the country; London, Bristol, Suffolk or Manchester, but will require regular travel to London (once per week) and the Site office in Leiston, Suffolk (every 4-6 weeks). Please get in touch for a confidential conversation and further details.
Your Impact:
The Strategic Sourcing Manager will lead the implementation of effective category management across the Sizewell C Site Delivery function and the wider project. The role is responsible for developing and coordinating robust category strategies and implementing the appropriate commercial frameworks to drive supply chain innovation, productivity, and long‐term value for the project.
Working closely with multi‐disciplinary stakeholders—including Project Managers, Finance, and Project Controls—the Strategic Sourcing Manager will ensure that all procurements are delivered in full compliance with Sizewell C's Acquire Goods and Services (AGS) processes and procedures. The role will manage high‐value and complex procurements, including contracts valued £100m and above.
Given the scale and strategic importance of these procurements, the Strategic Sourcing Manager must be highly commercially astute, able to influence and engage senior stakeholders, and capable of securing best‐value outcomes that support the successful delivery of the Sizewell C project.
Principal Accountabilities, Activities and Decisions:
- Development of category strategies based on value and complexity, which align to organisational priorities, market conditions and business needs.
- Ensure category strategies are aligned to the strategic sourcing pipeline and agreed with the Senior Strategic Sourcing Manager.
- Leading the end-to-end procurement process to deliver the category strategy outcomes (from Expression of Interest (EOI), Pre-Qualification (PQQ), Invitation to Tender (ITT) and commercial contract negotiations).
- Identifying/reporting strategic objectives and cost reduction targets against addressable spend.
- Capturing best practice through benefits case studies highlighting improved safety, increased productivity, performance, innovation and efficiencies.
- Responsible for identifying and delivering savings / efficiencies both in terms of cost and productivity.
- Contribute towards carbon reduction initiatives linked to opportunities highlighted in category strategies and through other Environmental, Social & Governance (ESG) led workstreams.
- Promote and enhance use of social value / social enterprises wherever possible through tender activity and contractual commitments.
- Ensuring the end-to-end procurement process adheres to the AGS and Signature of Contract (SOC) deadlines including accurate and timely reporting of key milestones.
- Building the supply market analysis; investigating supply chain capability to identify emerging innovations and improvement opportunities to shape the development of category strategies.
- Facilitating the strategy approval and AGS governance process through each stage gate review.
- Facilitating the implementation of category strategies through strategic Supplier Relationship Management (SRM) and supplier development once strategies and frameworks are in place.
- Work in cross functional teams, collaborating with functions such as finance, legal, operations, technical, supply chain to develop and deliver effective procurement strategies and sourcing outcomes.
Knowledge, Skills, Qualifications & Experience:
- MCIPS accreditation or working towards accreditation or similar.
- Extensive strategic sourcing / category management development and implementation experience across high value, complex supply chain categories.
- Experience in leading end to end procurement cycles within a regulated environment.
- Strong stakeholder influencing and communication skills across various levels of seniority.
- Strong attention to detail, accuracy and adherence to governance processes.
- Ability to manage multiple projects and competing priorities effectively.
- Strong inter-personal skills and ability to work within a multi-disciplinary team.
- Management skills with a track record of development within teams.
- Demonstrable understanding of collaborative working with internal and external stakeholders.
Desirable:
- Construction or Nuclear experience.
- NEC contract experience.
- Complex infrastructure project experience.
What's in It for You:
- Salary: Starting £65,000+ per annum, depending on experience.
- Bonus: 5% annual incentive.
- Pension: Up to 7.5% employee / 15% employer contribution.
- Leave: 28 days holiday plus bank holidays.
- Flexible benefits package.
Sizewell C Background Details:
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.
Category Management Specialist in England employer: Venesky Brown
At Sizewell C, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters collaboration and innovation. With competitive salaries starting at £65,000, a generous benefits package including a 5% annual bonus and up to 15% employer pension contribution, and ample opportunities for professional growth within one of the UK's most significant energy projects, we are committed to supporting our employees' development while making a meaningful impact in the energy sector.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Category Management Specialist in England
✨Get Savvy with Industry Perks
Join procurement and purchasing forums or groups where pros hang out, like CIPS (Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply). They'll share the inside scoop on job openings that might not show up on traditional job boards!
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Leverage LinkedIn to connect with professionals in procurement—follow relevant hashtags, join groups, and engage in discussions. This is a great way to get noticed by potential employers before they even post a job!
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We think you need these skills to ace Category Management Specialist in England
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Procurement Know-How:When you're crafting your CV, make sure to highlight any procurement-specific skills you've got. Talk about your experience with supplier negotiations, cost analysis, or inventory management. If you’ve used software like SAP or Oracle, don’t forget to mention that too – it shows you know your way around the tech side of things!
Quantify Your Achievements:In procurement, numbers matter. Use your CV and cover letter to showcase any quantifiable achievements you've made in reducing costs or improving efficiencies. For example, mentioning that you helped save 20% on purchasing costs last year is way more impressive than just saying you managed the budget!
Tailor Your Cover Letter to Venesky Brown:Your cover letter should read like you’re chatting directly to Venesky Brown. Research the company’s procurement strategy, mention how your skills align with their goals, and share your enthusiasm for contributing to their success. This personal touch can really set you apart from the crowd!
Professional Certs Can Go a Long Way:If you've got any procurement-related certifications, such as CIPS or APICS, make sure they're front and centre on your CV. These qualifications show you're serious about your career in procurement and are committed to continuous learning. It’s a great way to signal your expertise and dedication to potential employers like Venesky Brown.
How to prepare for a job interview at Venesky Brown
✨Show Off Your Negotiation Skills
In procurement, strong negotiation skills are key. Be ready to share examples of past negotiations where you've successfully saved costs or improved supplier terms. We want to hear how you approached those situations and the strategies you used to achieve positive outcomes!
✨Know Your Tools
Make sure you’re familiar with procurement software and tools commonly used in the industry, such as SAP Ariba or Coupa. Come prepared to discuss any experiences you've had with these tools or similar platforms, as we need someone who can hit the ground running at Venesky Brown!
✨Understand Market Trends
As a procurement professional, being aware of market trends can set you apart. Brush up on recent developments in supply chain management or procurement best practices and think about how they could impact your role at Venesky Brown. Bringing a current perspective will show your enthusiasm for the industry.
✨Demonstrate Your Team Player Attitude
A full-time position means you'll be working closely with various teams. Be prepared to discuss how you collaborate with others, manage conflicts, and build relationships with stakeholders. Sharing anecdotes about past teamwork experiences will highlight your ability to fit into Venesky Brown's culture.