Venesky-Brown are currently looking for Senior Commercial Managers to work with Sizewell C in Suffolk. These are permanent role with hybrid working at the Suffolk or London offices (3 days/week in the office). For full details please see below.

Overview/Context:

Sizewell C (SZC) will be a next-of-a-kind nuclear power plant in Suffolk, England using the same technology and design as the Hinkley Point C (HPC) nuclear power plant under construction in Somerset.

The SZC Project is engineering-led in order to secure SZC’s design replication strategy and a large part of the supply chain is being replicated from HPC.

The Supply Chain directorate for SZC is now looking to establish its team of Supply Chain professionals responsible for the procurement/negotiation and subsequent commercial management of SZC’s main construction contracts.

The construction contracts are categorised by Programme and are broadly: Equipment, Conventional Island, Nuclear Island, MEH, Main Civil Works and Enabling Works.

Scope and Nature of Role:

The role relates to the Nuclear Island and Conventional Island programmes and therefore this role would suit an individual with a technical/engineering background.

The Senior Commercial Manager:

• Reports to a Commercial Lead and is the primary point of contact for all supply chain/commercial matters relating to a supplier/contract assigned to them.
• Works closely and pro-actively with internal and external stakeholders at all levels. This includes working as part of a multi-disciplinary team within a technically complex Programme.
• At all times promotes the SZC Project, its values and behaviours and ensures that SZC Project requirements are met and successfully delivered.
• Is empowered to make decisions and undertake its Principal Responsibilities and Accountabilities (as defined below) in the context described above and in accordance with delegated levels of commitment and authority.

Principal Responsibilities and Accountabilities:

• Having at all times the knowledge and being responsible for the regular reporting of topics including: contract scope of work/services; schedule; prices and rates; key personnel; and incentive arrangements.
• Managing the contract commercial relationship and at all times providing support to the Project Manager to ensure effective delivery of the contract. In particular, establish effective collaborative arrangements and work in a spirit of mutual trust and cooperation to achieve ‘win-win’ equitable commercial outcomes.

Contract Formation:

• Contributing to procurement and contracting strategies that meet the overall SZC Project objectives.
• Managing and tracking a procurement against the overall Integrated Work Schedule (IWS) milestones to meet stakeholder and SZC Project requirements and keeping the procurement on schedule.
• Undertaking correct administration of ‘vendor assessment’ and information exchange via procurement electronic portal tools.
• Invitation to tender preparation and tender evaluation assessing technical and commercial compliance.
• Managing formation activities across technical, programme, legal and commercial disciplines.
• Support to the budget process and analysing the commercial requirements of a contract.
• support to the Commercial Lead in ensuring all internal governance approval is in place to enable timely Contract Award.

Post Contract Management:

• Managing contracts in accordance with the contract terms, SZC governance requirements and SZC Project objectives to achieve a successful close.
• Ensuring compatibility and alignment with other SZC Project contracts.
• Administration of commercial management tools including, but not limited to, CEMAR and SAP.
• In the closeout phase the Senior Commercial Manager will have responsibility and accountability for managing the close out of each contract and identifying and recording commercial lessons learnt.

Other:

• Deliver contracts in accordance with NNB governance requirements to meet NNB SZC Project and business objectives.
• Supervision of Commercial Managers and Assistant CMs under their control.
• Internal and external stakeholder management and working within a multi-disciplinary team/teams.
• Being familiar with, promoting and maintaining compliance at all times (at procurement and post-procurement stages) with NNB’s Supply Chain policies (including compliance with nuclear safety and quality controls procedures) and SZC Project processes and procedures, particularly those relating to the Supply Chain.
• Engagement as required with the UK regulators (ONR/EA/CNS), HM Government and Ofgem.
• Promoting the role of the Intelligent Customer and ensuring that requirements and expectations are met with regard to commercial probity, value and that the supply chain is treated fairly.
• Promoting and embedding a strong nuclear safety culture, the right level of oversight, control and surveillance of supplier activities.
• Ensuring board papers and/or investment papers are produced and submitted all in accordance with SZC Project governance.
• Demonstrate collaborative working practices, promote continuous improvement, the SZC Project’s values and acting in a spirit of mutual trust and cooperation.

Knowledge, Skills, Qualifications and Experience

Essential:

• Member of RICS/ICE/CICES/IOB or equivalent professional body.
• Proven ability of working within a complex major project/programme environment in both procurement and post-procurement phases.
• Evidence of successfully undertaking complex procurements and of administering contracts.
• Effective Management and Leadership skills, with clear knowledge of best practice contract methodologies in the UK environment.
• Honed commercial skills and demonstrable ability to make sound decisions on complex matters (considering technical and commercial topics) of high financial value.
• Good understanding of procurement, contract performance measurement, risk management and change and claim management.
• Excellent negotiating, influencing and communication skills.
• Excellent problem-solving skills.
• Experience of working in a dynamic environment with multiple stakeholders.
• Experience of standard forms of contract (NEC and FIDIC) within the power/construction industry on complex major projects/programmes.

Desirable:

• Educated to degree level
• Familiar with the nuclear site licence conditions and the nuclear baseline philosophy.
• Understanding of the UK regulatory framework.
• Understanding of UK and international supply chain within the nuclear sector.
• Knowledge of English law and its impact upon the contract and commercial function.