Category Manager

Job Description

ScottishPower are delighted to bring to market a role for a Category Manager to help us lead the way to net zero.

You’ll join at a period of exciting growth as you’ll be involved in the procurement and cost and commercial management of contracts to support the expansion of our portfolio of HVDC interlink projects as we head towards our 2030 goals and beyond which will enable electricity, created by new and existing onshore and offshore wind development, to be efficiently moved to nearer to where it is needed by the consumer.

The Category Manager will require strong strategic procurement experience, preferably in energy and/or construction in the UK with experience of conducting tender exercises in accordance with the Utilities Contract Regulations is desirable. In particular, this position focuses upon leading multi-billion tender processes on behalf of the strategic joint venture partnerships Scottishpower has entered into with our JV Partner. These joint ventures are incorporated to support the delivery of interlink assets for the benefit of the UK consumer.

What you’ll be doing

You’ll join an expanding procurement team working within a cross company, matrix organisation with our partners at JV Partner. Reporting to the Senior Category manager, you will have day to day management responsibility for the Senior Procurement Consultant employed within the team. This team has the significant responsibility for the procurement of approximately £10 billion worth of investment projects across the UK Energy network over the next 5 years in partnership with our colleagues in JV Partner. The projects will primarily support the transmission of renewable energy generated offshore onto the UK Grid network, ensuring a more efficient means by which to deliver energy to the consumer at point of consumption, no matter where that may be within the UK.

You will lead and support the procurement requirements for the construction phase of the approximately £6 billion Western Link 2 project and with electricity demand forecast to double in the next 10 years, your role will also support future project requirements such as Eastern Green Link 4 and any new interlink projects on either coast of the UK. Leadership of and involvement within these projects, including responsibility for aspects of contract negotiations and managing commercial and contractual activities both pre-contract and where appropriate post contract, represents a fantastic opportunity for the correct candidate to play a part in protecting the UK’s energy supply for generations to come.

Providing competitive advantage in the acquisition of these works and services through the professional management of procurement and supply chain activities including the management of suppliers and the negotiation of high value complex contracts and associated commercial issues.

Working closely with both internal and external stakeholders to support the development, construction and delivery of significant infrastructure projects and services by understanding business drivers and market dynamics. Developing appropriate contracting strategies and negotiating important one-off contracts that meet the business timescales and specifications.

Ensuring that ScottishPower and associated Joint Venture requirements are sourced from suitable, ethical and sustainable sources of supply using appropriate contractual and commercial arrangements that fully consider the most appropriate risk allocation.

Providing advice in relation to sourcing and purchasing activities to all stakeholders. Liaising with internal and external colleagues in the UK and Globally to ensure sharing of information and delivery of best value from a common supply chain.

What you’ll bring

Ideally, you will have experience in energy procurement and/or construction contracts in the UK. You will be familiar with evaluating supplier bids, cost and commercial contract management and negotiations. In addition, you will possess:

• Expertise in purchasing practices, tactics, and strategies.
• Strong commercial contract and negotiation experience and experience of leading full or part of the contract negotiations in conclusion of contracts.
• Good knowledge of HVDC International supply chain for all major components.
• Experience in EPC type contract procurement.
• Familiarity with FIDIC and/of NEC4
• A Commercial, Strategic and analytical mindset as well as technical insight.
• A strong self-performance management and delivery focus with the ability to balance conflicting requirements; make decisions in tight timescales; flexibility to react to changing needs; comfortable working in complex and changing environments; track record of delivery within agreed timescales.
• An effective team worker, with experience of working in a multi-functional project team and motivational capacity for stakeholders (internal and external) to follow your vision.
• Good all-round understanding of financial, commercial and business principles and risk mitigation practices plus sufficient knowledge of procurement contract law to recognise any exposure and seek appropriate advice from the legal team when required.
• A willingness to travel to support ongoing business requirements by attending meetings throughout the UK and beyond.
• Strong written, numeracy and oral communication skills.
• Strong computer system skills.

What’s in it for you

As well as a competitive salary which is reviewed annually, you can also enjoy a number of other benefits. With our pension scheme, we’ll double match your contribution up to a company contribution of 10%.

At ScottishPower, we believe it’s the little things we do in life that make a big difference. From helping you look after your family’s wellbeing, save for your future and take personal steps for climate action – our benefits are designed to help you do just that - so that you have everything you need to take care of your world – today and tomorrow. That’s why our benefits include:

• 36 days annual leave
• Holiday Purchase – perfect your work/life balance with extra annual leave
• Share Schemes
• Payroll Giving and Charity Matched Funding
• Technology Vouchers – save more and spread the cost of your technology purchases
• Electric Vehicle Schemes – to help you transition to green/clean driving
• Cycle to Work scheme and Public Transport Season Ticket Loans
• Healthcare benefit options including: Dental Insurance, Private Medical Insurance, Health Cash Plan and annual Health Assessments
• Life Assurance (4x salary)
• Access to Savesmart financial wellbeing support
• Plus shopping, leisure, restaurant and gym discounts, and unique employee deals on travel insurance and more

Why ScottishPower

ScottishPower is part of the Iberdrola Group, one of the world’s largest integrated utility companies and a world leader in wind energy. With a commitment to generate all of our energy from renewable resources and a drive to create the energy infrastructure of the future, we’re at the forefront of the journey to Net Zero and investing over £6m every working day to make this happen. With diverse opportunities across our businesses and a commitment to invest in our own internal talent, ScottishPower can offer people real career opportunities that meet personal and professional goals, in a global organisation.

Inclusion, diversity, and a social purpose are at the heart of everything we do. Together with our values, they bring us together into a stronger, more sustainable business with direct links to the communities we serve. It takes all kinds of people to build a large-scale business like ours, so whatever your background, you’ll fit right in.

ScottishPower is committed to providing reasonable support or adjustments in our recruiting processes for candidates with disabilities, long term conditions, mental health conditions, or who are neurodivergent or require pregnancy-related support. If you need support, please reach out to [email protected].

Mobility

Please note that any applicant who is not a citizen of the country of the vacancy will be subject to compliance with the applicable immigration requirements to legally work in that country. If/when required, the Company will support the employee with the necessary Immigration requirements.