Category Manager – Utilities

Job Introduction

A unique place to grow your career

As owners of one of the largest nuclear decommissioning and remediation programmes in Europe, our main priority is to lead the work across the NDA group and develop the strategy for how it should be carried out. We also plays an important role in supporting government’s aspiration for the UK to be a global leader in the civil nuclear sector. The NDA itself employs just over 380 people and is the sole shareholder of the subsidiary companies that form the NDA group. 

Why us?

Our mission is vital. 

To deliver it, we need the right people with the right skills available across our estate. We employ talented people to work in a range of disciplines. In return for the significant contribution you’ll make to our future, you’ll receive excellent benefits and rewards and a healthy work-life balance.

Work for us and play a key role in tackling one of the most technical, complex challenges facing the UK today, helping us leave a safer environment for future generations.

The role:

We’re seeking an experienced and passionate Category Manager to lead the development and implementation of the group Category strategy for Utilities, ensuring security of supply, risk mitigation, value for money and asset optimisation. 

You will use your knowledge and experience of the Utilities sector to deliver and/or assure procurement activities and provide commercial support to energy related programmes and projects. You will also lead the commercial assurance of business cases and investment decisions within the Utilities category area and provide subject matter expertise to support decision making throughout the governance process (including HMG). 

The Utilities category is an interesting and exciting area, with a growing profile and the successful candidate will not only have the opportunity to deliver commercial benefits but will also be able to positively contribute to sustainability improvement and the achievements of the group Net Zero targets.

What you’ll do:

• Work in one of our diverse teams where you'll drive the successful delivery of the group wide category strategies in your area of responsibility.
• Validate and assure procurement activities including the design, analysis & evaluation of tenders.
• Provide commercial input to support the delivery of energy related programmes and projects such as the Group Wide Energy Programme. 
• Provide guidance to the business on the correct routes to market and opportunities to obtain best value (including the availability of grants and incentives)
• Act as a commercial advisor to the wider business areas within your area of expertise and become a subject matter expert, ensuring the adoption of innovation and industry best-practice.
• Identify and deliver commercial opportunities across the NDA group.
• Build strong stakeholder relationships to aid cross-group collaboration.

What we’re looking for:

• Someone with knowledge and experience of Utilities and how the respective markets are structured, traded and operated.
• Experience of developing and delivering category strategies for Utilities or providing procurement/commercial support to energy related projects.
• An analytical mind-set, with strong commercial acumen.
• Someone who builds cooperation and communication between teams and/or functions to enable collaboration. 
• Someone who seeks to build cross-cultural competency and helps others understand the business value of diversity.
• Contract Management experience, ideally with a good working knowledge of relevant terms and conditions.
• Someone who is not afraid to challenge the norm, is outcome focused and seeks to deliver innovative solutions to complex commercial problems.

Other requirements:

• Professional accreditation such as MCIPS, MRICS, IACCM or equivalent professional qualification, or willing to work towards

Why work at the NDA? 

We value the unique differences that each of our colleagues bring to work every day and are committed to creating an environment where everyone feels respected, included and able to perform at their best. At NDA, we are committed to creating a workplace that is diverse and inclusive. We value the diversity of our people and actively seek to have a workforce that represents the rich diversity of the communities we support. Currently, we are underrepresented in some areas, and would particularly welcome applicants from Women, Black, Asian and Ethnic Minorities, LGBTQ+ and candidates who have a disability.

NDA is a member of the disability confident scheme, when requested we will make reasonable adjustments to the recruitment process and we guarantee to interview all candidates who have a disability who meet all of the essential criteria for the vacancy.

We are happy to discuss flexible working. We will also make workplace adjustments for disabled employees if these are needed to help them perform at their best in the role, and we are happy to discuss this once a job offer has been made.