Contract Manager

Job Introduction

To support the Procurement Team in the delivery of agreed objectives by providing a quality Procurement & Supply Chain Contract Management service compliant with the NNL Procurement Management Lifecycle and Public Contract Regulations. The postholder will deliver and manage multiple procurements and contracts in parallel, ensuring protection of NNL from unnecessary risk whilst delivering Value for Money, building strong relationships with Delivery Partners and supporting NNLs Commercial contracts.

The ideal candidate will have worked in public sector procurement teams contract managing complex procurements whilst working with a cross functional teams.  The ideal candidate will hold relevant qualifications in procurement and or contract management and will be proficient in the use of the standard Microsoft suite of programmes.  The ideal candidate will have at least 5 years experience contract management experience on NEC3 contracts and be able to work with limited supervision.

Main Responsibilities

• Support the Department in delivering its Strategic Objectives, taking responsibility for engaging with stakeholders to ensure a teaming approach throughout the Procurement Lifecycle.
• Responsible for managing and delivering multiple sourcing strategies and contracts.  This will include but not be limited to: 
  • Sourcing activities which generate benefits and achieve financial savings targets
  • Supplier Relationship Management and extensive Contract Management
  • Identification of internal and external cost drivers 
  • Preparation of Supply Chain documents including tenders, contracts, amendments, delivery plans and internal reporting
  • Drafting and negotiation of Supply Chain contract Terms and Conditions, ensuring Flowdown Terms are integrated appropriately
  • Support NNL’s bid process to ensure any sub-contract requirements are understood and underpinned as necessary
• Lead cross functional delivery teams from a Sourcing perspective to secure on time delivery within budget whilst adhering to public procurement regulations, company procedures and ensuring  the wider delivery team are aware of and adhere to their responsibilities.
• Negotiate and deliver contractual agreements with Delivery Partners to ensure that service, quality, cost, security of supply and the deployment of the suppliers capabilities in innovation are secured
• Undertake cradle to grave contract management (and or advice to other functions where relevant),including but not limited too:
  • Contract Amendments / Variations 
  • Contract Progress Reviews 
  • Risk Reviews
  • Supplier Relationship Building 
  • Supplier Incentivisation 
  • Supplier Performance Management and KPI Monitoring / Reporting 
  • Contract Milestones; creation, monitoring and acceptance thereof
  • Contract Close Out 
  • Reporting to Internal and External Stakeholders whilst and continually developing supplier relationships through the SRM strategy.
• Develop sustainable and effective Supplier Relationships functioning as an Intelligent Client to the Delivery Partners.
• Support the Head of Procurement in the implementation of new processes and systems to  continually improve procurement’s service provision.
• Support the collaborative procurement agenda by engaging with the Suppliers and influencing their Commercial Behaviours, Delivery and Activities.

The Ideal Candidate

Essential Skills & Experience

• CIPS qualified and recognised as a procurement professional
• Extensive experience in drafting, implementing and managing multiple forms of contracts including Subcontracts and EPC contracts.  
• Significant experience of working with NEC3 contracts
• Demonstratable relevant experience
• Strong negotiating and influencing skills at all levels
• Able to hold people to account, lead cross functional teams and experience in working with resolution management.
• Significant previous procurement experience with responsibility for delivery of complex procurements and contracts, preferably in EPC environments
• Significant experience and proven track record of contract and supplier management
• Proven track record of working well under pressure, to tight deadlines, whilst remaining calm and clear thinking with limited supervision

Desirable Skills & Experience

• Experience in Public Sector procurement including a variety of procurement routes and knowledge of exemptions
• Experience of working in a fragmented team across multiple locations and proven experience of influencing a wider team from a commercial perspective.
• A good technical appreciation of the range of procurement categories
• Proven track record of working well under pressure, to tight deadlines, whilst remaining calm and clear thinking with limited supervision
• Excellent analytical skills
• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Excellent organisational skills
• Project management skills / awareness
• Good IT skills

About The Company

Grounded in robust science and decades of experience, National Nuclear Laboratory (NNL) is the authoritative voice in the UK and beyond for technological development within the nuclear power sector.

Our unparalleled understanding of the science, challenges and opportunities makes us an unrivalled authority and partner in the field, providing experts, technologies, and access to cutting-edge facilities to organisations around the world.

Harnessing potential technologies and translating them into to industry-ready solutions means our pioneering approach spearheads international improvement and technological progress.

We work on projects as small as drilling a hole to analyse underground wastes with our integrated micro drilling technology, or as large as developing state-of-the-art power systems for spacecraft, based on radioactive materials

NNL has a vision for Equality, Diversity and Inclusivity (ED&I) where NNL aims to be an inclusive workplace that attracts diverse talent through transparent and equal policies and procedures. We want you and the diverse mix of people that we employ, customers that we service and stakeholders that we influence to feel valued. We encourage a workplace culture where everyone can thrive with a sense of belonging.