Senior Buyer

• Salary: £44,290 + excellent benefits including outstanding pension
• Division: UKFE - Commercial
• Site
  
  Location:
  
  West Burton, Nottinghamshire
• Department: UKFE - Commercial and Supply Chain

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 of the STEP prototype.

Fusion energy, crucial for combating climate change and ensuring energy independence, is expected to be commercially viable by mid‑year. The UK, led by UKFE, aims for a prototype fusion plant, targeting first operations around 2040. UK Industrial Fusion Solutions Ltd. 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.

As an employee of UKFE, you will benefit from:

• Outstanding defined benefit pension scheme,details of which can be found at the end of this advert.
• Corporate bonus schemeup to 7% and aRelocationallowance (if eligible).
• Flexible working options including family friendly policies and the right to request flexible working from the start of your employment.
• Employee Assistance Programmeand 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
• A vibrantculturecommitted to being fully inclusive

This position is to be based at West Burton,Nottinghamshire.

Onsite workingis expected for3 days each week.

The Senior Buyer is a specialist with accountability for procurement, sourcing strategy, and commercial performance across major programmes, portfolios, and high‑risk commercial environments.

Operating above the Lead Buyer, the Senior Buyer provides direction, governance, and assurance for complex commercial activity and supports the shaping of organisational commercial strategy and policy. The role has a high degree autonomy and decision‑making authority, balancing value for money, commercial risk, regulatory compliance (including PA23), market resilience, and long‑term supplier outcomes.

The Senior Buyer plays a critical role in enabling delivery at scale, driving commercial maturity, and building sustainable capability across the commercial function.

Accountability 1:

Strategic Procurement & Commercial Leadership

• Play a key role in setting commercial and sourcing strategies for major programmes, high‑value portfolios, or business‑critical categories.
• Provide direction on procurement routes, commercial models, risk allocation, and contracting approaches for novel, complex, or nationally significant procurements.
• Enable the shaping of long‑term category, supplier, and market development strategies, including resilience, innovation, and social value.
• Act as a delegated senior commercial authority for approvals, assurance, and challenge across procurement lifecycle stages.
• Ensure full compliance with PA23, delegated authorities, internal controls, and external regulatory expectations.

Accountability 2:

• Support and implement negotiation of high‑value and precedent‑setting contracts, including:
  • Major infrastructure and construction arrangements
  • Strategic supplier alliances and long‑term frameworks
  • Complex professional services and integrated delivery models
• Provide oversight of:
  • Cost control, forecasting, and financial risk exposure
  • Change management, compensation events, and claims strategy
  • Performance regimes, incentives, and commercial remedies
• Participate in the organisation’s approach to commercial risk management, dispute avoidance, and escalation, including support to formal dispute resolution when required.

Accountability 3:

• Act as the organisation’s senior commercial representative with key delivery partners, strategic suppliers, and external stakeholders.
• Build and sustain…